Students looking to earn an M.B.A. first have to have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. M.B.A. programs, however, do not specify the field of study for the M.B.A. applicant. Students have to submit an official copy of their transcripts directly from their alma mater to the M.B.A. program's admissions office. These transcripts should reflect the courses the student took and the grades she earned.
Much like the standardized tests they took in high school to get into college, M.B.A. students have to take standardized tests for graduate school admittance. The Graduate Management Admissions Test, or GMAT, is the standard test for aspiring M.B.A. students. Students have to complete this test and submit their scores as part of their M.B.A. application. Note that some schools, like Stanford University, allow the GRE as an alternative, though the GMAT is the norm.
Essays give M.B.A. admissions committees insight into the student's academic and professional goals. Therefore most M.B.A. programs include an essay requirement for their application. Students applying to the University of Pennsylvania's M.B.A. program, for example, have to answer three of four essay questions, such as "Discuss a time when you navigated a challenging experience in either a personal or professional relationship." Students applying to Stanford University have to answer three essay questions as well, including "What are your career aspirations? What do you need to learn at Stanford to achieve them?"
Letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues or supervisors complete your M.B.A. application. Since this is a professional program, some schools, like the University of Pennsylvania, prefer letters from supervisors rather than academic references. The University of California Berkeley requires two letters of recommendation, with one being from a current employer. The University of Wisconsin requests that recommendation letters come from individuals who can assess the applicant's potential as a business leader or manager.