Planning to take up MBA? Here are some things – and tips – to consider

MANILA, Philippines – Taking up a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a big decision to make. Having qualms about it is understandable. But one thing’s for sure, having an MBA under your belt will open doors to greater career opportunities and perks like a higher salary. 

So, what do you need to consider before taking the MBA plunge?

You need to have a 4-year Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and work experience

Having a Bachelor’s degree before taking up an MBA is, of course, a given. But what you need to check with the business school of your choice (especially if it’s foreign) is if the university where you took your undergraduate degree is accredited. 

And while some business schools nowadays don’t require work experience anymore, some schools in the US and Europe still do. Again, make sure to check with the school you’re eyeing if this is something they need you to have. However, some believe that working in a company before going into MBA equips you with real-world experience that could give you a competitive edge versus those who didn’t.

You need to take several standardized tests and get a certain score 

Most international business schools require GMAT, GRE, English standardized tests, or an Executive Assessment score for your application to be qualified. Not all schools have a certain target score but aiming for 600 or higher is best. If you want to get into top-tier business schools like Yale School of Management, aim for a GMAT score of 730 or higher. 

And if you’re an international applicant, you also need to take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and must score not lower than 109, 7.5, or 75 respectively to qualify for Harvard Business School for example.

Other basic requirements for MBA include the following: transcript of records, resume, essay, and professional recommendation letters. 

You need to choose the MBA program that’s right for you

There are a lot of MBA programs to choose from. It’s important to go for what you really want and what you think will help you with your long-term goals. Doing extensive research and asking people who have taken the same path you want to take are some of the things you can do before deciding on a program.

Having a specific program in mind also helps you determine the best campus that you should apply to. This will allow you to streamline your efforts and focus more on your goals.

You need to consult with MBA alumni or business school representatives

There are no better people to consult with than those who have already successfully applied and graduated from MBA or the representatives from the business schools themselves.

You can either seek the help of your friends, family, and university professors or find events that bring together MBA experts and reps from top business schools in the world like The MBA Tour 2019.

The MBA Tour 2019 aims to bring prospective MBA students, business school admissions representatives, alumni and other like-minded education enthusiasts. They provide helpful resources that you wouldn’t normally find on the internet.

This year’s program includes MBA application tips by Education USA, application advice from admissions directors, IELTS by the British Council. There will also be individual school presentations from featured schools like the Columbia Business School, Rotman, Asia School of Business, Essec Business School, Insead, and Boston University.

The event will culminate with an MBA Fair where interested MBA applicants can meet and consult with admissions directors and alumni from the featured schools.

The MBA Tour 2019 is happening on August 15, 5 pm at Makati Shangri-La. You can register for free here. 

So, are you ready to take this next important step? – Rappler.com

Source: https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/1817/what-are-the-entry-requirements-for-an-mba-us-vs-europe.html