The Graduate Admissions Management Test (GMAT) is a required part of the MBA application and top-rated programs, such as the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, evaluate the total test score, as well as the individual section scores. Sections of the GRE are verbal, analytical and mathematical. Competitive applicants will have scores in the 80 percent range, as scores below that may be a red flag for admissions officers.
Personal essays are closely reviewed by admissions committees, and provide business school applicants with an opportunity to explain why they would be a good fit for a particular program, as well as explain issues, such as less-than-stellar college grades, or a gap in the resume.
Many of the spots in a given MBA class will be filled after the first round of applicants has been evaluated, typically in January. Top-rated programs are unlikely to pass on strong candidates who apply early, for risk of them deciding to enroll elsewhere. Subsequent rounds will have more applicants than early rounds and competition for remaining spots can be stiff, according to MBA Programs, an online resource for business school applicants.
Undergraduate grades are not as important in MBA admissions as test scores and recommendations. This is because many business school applicants do not apply to MBA programs until they have been out of school for several years, and may not have put the same effort into their studies as a pre-med student who would be going directly from undergraduate school to professional school. Top-rated MBA programs might have a range of GPAs among admitted applicants, anywhere from 3.0 to 3.8. However, strong math grades are important, as a candidate with weak math skills is less likely to be accepted.
Because most business school applicants have five years or more of work experience when they apply to an MBA program, the resume is a criteria that will be closely evaluated by admissions committees. Candidates' resumes should reflect skills learned, depth of experience and growth potential.
Most MBA admissions committees will seek at least two recommendations from people who are familiar with your accomplishments. Since most business school candidates have worked for several years before applying, recommendations from supervisors are preferable to ones from professors.
According to MBA Programs, the value placed on the interview will vary from school to school. However, an otherwise strong candidate who does not perform well in the interview might not be accepted, so it behooves applicants to top-rated schools to review frequently asked questions and prepare an outline before the interview.