What Do You Need to Get into a Business School?
From flexing a comprehensive set of skills to showing how you will be an asset, here are eight answers to the question, “What are things you need to get into a business school?”
- A Broad Range of Interests and Capabilities
- Letters of Recommendation
- A Unique Background and Originality
- Ability to Think Critically Quickly
- Marketable Skills
- Passion, Dedication, and Good Grades
- Relevant Work Experience
- An Application That Stands Out
A Broad Range of Interests and Capabilities
The best-fit candidates for business schools are generalists with their academic performance. This is because business schools require you to flex a comprehensive set of skills to do well—writing, math, social sciences, etc. all have a place in the standard business school curriculum.
This is even more clear when you’ve finished your general requirements and moved into specializations because even though you’re going into something like supply chain management, it doesn’t mean that you get to stop building up a whole slew of skills in other disciplines.
Dragos Badea
CEO, Yarooms
Letters of Recommendation
Letters from former employers, colleagues, or supervisors that outline your experience, skills, and competencies are important components of any successful business school application.
They allow the admissions committee to get an idea of how you may perform as a future business leader and learn more about your qualifications.
The letters should outline why you are qualified for admission, provide information about any activities or awards you got outside of academic performance, and include tangible examples of your skills. Recommendation letters play a key role in getting accepted into any reputable business school.
Jim Campbell
Owner, Camp Media
A Unique Background and Originality
Many business schools are eager to admit students with a professional background outside of a traditional business occupation. For example, a student with a background in music and audio engineering, who has worked for five years in the music industry and now wants to prepare to become a manager of a studio, would be a more unique applicant than someone coming from an administrative or finance background.
Business schools are quick to take in someone they identify as a “creative talent” and who has a track record of capitalizing on meaningful business opportunities.
Dakota McDaniels
Chief Product Officer, Pluto
Ability to Think Critically Quickly
To get into a business school, you need to have strong academic credentials and show your ability to think critically. Having the capacity to learn new topics quickly and think critically on your feet is paramount.
It’s not just about having good grades; you should also be able to verbalize your thoughts effectively while you are solving problems on the fly. As it becomes easier and easier to gain access to pure information, the ability to decide based on that information becomes increasingly valuable.
Thinking critically and being able to analyze information on the fly is your ticket to impressing the admissions board if you can display a knack for it!
Stephanie Jenkins
Founder, Stephanie Jenkins Photo
Marketable Skills
Many business schools assess whether a student is a team player and has strong communication skills. School officials often think beyond pure academics, and look to admit students who are going to have an impact after they graduate.
Coming to them with relevant courses and certifications shows them you have a solid work ethic and have already taken actionable steps to develop your skills. Any volunteer work or internships you have to your name is further validation of your determination and personal character.
It’s important that you can show officials you are self-aware and have developed marketable skills that will allow you to succeed in your career and also succeed at carrying yourself as a responsible, trustworthy, professional in the workplace.
Nick Allen
Founder and CEO, SportsLingo
Passion, Dedication, and Good Grades
With a persuasive introduction and a cheerful attitude, you are ready to make a big impression in the business world! You’ve got to have the brains and the brawn to make it happen, with stellar grades in accounting, economics, and business-related subjects, a strong GMAT score, and a resume that could make the Mona Lisa blush.
Plus, hone some skills to back you up—be an ace communicator, solve problems like a boss, and make sure your analytical skills can make a spreadsheet weep. Be passionate about business and have the grit to succeed—that’s a recipe for success!
Aruna Krishnan
Marketing Coordinator, Achievable
Relevant Work Experience
While having stellar test scores and an undergraduate degree will surely help you get into a good business school, what matters is having relevant, professional work experience in a business-related field. Applicants must show their ability to apply business principles and concepts in a real-world context to be considered for admission.
When applying to a business school, adding relevant work experience to your application should include any positions you have held, as well as your responsibilities, accomplishments, and skills you gained. You can also include a letter of recommendation from your employer to provide more information about your abilities in a business setting.
Peter Reagan
Financial Market Strategist, Birch Gold Group
An Application That Stands Out
One of the most important things you need to get into a business school is an impressive application. Your application should showcase your academic qualifications, professional experience, and extracurricular activities.
Demonstrate through your application why you are a good fit for the school’s program and how your skills and accomplishments will be an asset to the school to stand out!
Leo Vaisburg
Managing Partner, Amazon Suspension Lawyer
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