As you may have noticed from doing your b-school research, many programs (including Ivey) require a minimum amount of years’ work experience to apply for an MBA. We know that this can be a frustrating requirement for those high-achievers who want to advance their education and earning potential immediately! The reason that Ivey requires a minimum of 2 years work experience is because of our use of the case-method. To contribute in classroom discussions effectively, students must be able to draw upon their past experiences to provide different perspectives and insights that will complement the debates, and enhance the learning of their peers.
Even if you don’t have the required work experience yet, it’s never too early to start thinking about and preparing for your MBA application. Studies show that students take 2-3 years on average to research and apply to MBA programs; understandable given the substantial investment required. There are things you can do after completing your undergraduate studies that will make you that much more prepared to apply for your MBA when the time comes. Here are some things to think about:
Prepare for the GMAT: Once you write the GMAT, your score is good for five years. Consider writing this test sooner rather than later while your brain is still in academic mode. Once you are balancing a full-time job, studying for the GMAT can be a difficult task and often falls down on the priority list. Additionally, if you’re not happy with your first score, writing early in the process gives you plenty of time to improve your score to ensure your application is competitive.
Maintain Undergraduate Grades: A solid ‘B’ undergraduate average is required to be considered for admission to Ivey’s MBA program. Make sure to keep on top of your academics during your undergraduate years, and/or consider taking additional courses if you need to boost your undergraduate average. Ivey will take the cumulative average of your last two years of school, so those are the ones that really count!
Get Involved with Volunteer and Extra-Curricular Activities: This is a critical piece of your MBA application to complement your work experience. Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles and get involved in community and team activities outside of work and school. Ivey in particular looks for candidates who have strong ‘leadership DNA'; those who take initiative on projects and teams, and who look for ways to make contributions in work, school and community.
Join Inside Track: Inside Track is our intranet for prospective applicants. It’s the best way for you to connect with us about events in your area, news at Ivey, and admissions tips. As well, Inside Track is where you will fill out your application when you’re ready to apply. Once you have created a profile, you can go in at anytime and review the application components and essay questions
You can also submit your resume on Inside Track for a complimentary assessment. We will take a look at your background/experience, and give you some feedback on how it aligns with our admissions criteria. If you’re thinking of applying to Ivey sometime in the future, we suggest that you join Inside Track as soon as possible to stay up to date on the latest recruiting and admissions activities.
Attend an Event: There is no better way to get to know ANY school, than to go to an event in person and meet their representatives. Most schools offer Information Sessions and Campus Visits so that you can ask any questions you have about the program, and get a good sense of the ‘fit’ and culture of the school. Ivey also offers How To Choose Your MBA events so that you can get the inside scoop on what to look for when choosing the MBA program that is right for you, as well as First Class on the Road events so you can experience the case-method of learning . Check out our full events calendar.
Build your Work Experience: We have mentioned that a minimum of two years full-time work experience is required to apply to Ivey’s MBA program, but the quality of your work experience is what really counts. When looking for jobs, consider some of the critical skills that you want to build on and develop that might serve you well in the MBA environment. Additionally, look for roles that will allow you take on new challenges and give you opportunities for leadership so that you can highlight these accomplishments and results on an MBA application.
Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to an MBA in no time! If you want to know more about preparing for your MBA, then be sure to visit us at one of the Professional & Grad School Fairs that we’ll be at this Fall. Visit our website to see when we’ll be at a school in your area.