Your Guide to MBA Requirements

MBA requirements typically include a bachelor's degree, competitive GPA, GMAT or GRE scores, work experience, letters of recommendation, essays, and an interview.

Admissions committees evaluate candidates holistically by asking key questions:

• Why You? - With so many candidates, this is about showing your academic readiness with your Bachelor's degree, a competitive GPA, and solid test scores.
• What Have You Been Doing? - This looks outside of college at your career development, including, where applicable, what's on your résumé.
• Where Are You From? - As Stanford Business puts it, "We know that each person is more than a list of facts or predefined categories. Please feel free to elaborate on how your background or life experiences have helped shape your recent actions or choices."
• Who Are You? - A combination of basic personal information, coupled with a sense of your current interests and activities.

Each MBA requirement is designed to help answer these questions.

MBA Requirements Checklist

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
2. Competitive undergraduate GPA (often 3.0+)
3. GMAT or GRE scores (some schools accept alternatives)
4. Relevant work experience (usually 2–5 years)
5. Letters of recommendation (typically 2–3)
6. Personal statement and/or essays
7. Admissions interview
8. Application fee

Detailed MBA Requirements Breakdown

Bachelor's Degree

For the most part, it's about where you're going, not where you've been. You don't need to have majored in business or a related field to apply for an MBA program. In fact, some schools value a diversity of academic backgrounds. Here's what some majors offer:

• Engineering: enhances problem-solving and analytical skills, beneficial for roles like project management
• Humanities: develops communication and critical thinking skills, valuable in strategic roles such as marketing
• Social Sciences: provides insights into human behavior, useful in human resources, organizational development, and management
• Business or Economics: offers foundational knowledge in financial analysis and strategic planning, advantageous for leadership roles in finance or operations

Undergraduate GPA

Even a 4.0 won't guarantee you a spot at your dream business school (though it certainly won't hurt!). GPA is just one of many factors. That said, you can check our Business School Search tool to find the average undergrad GPA accepted at the schools you're applying to. Overall, a 3.6 is competitive; here are some schools for comparison:

GMAT or GRE Scores

So long as your school accepts it, you can take either standardized test. Consider taking practice tests through The Princeton Review for each test type and then choose the GMAT or the GRE depending on which you performed better on.

Average GMAT and GRE Scores

The average GMAT score for top MBA programs is around 700. For the GRE, you'll want to aim for at least a 160 in both the verbal and quantitative sections.

Work Experience

Diverse experiences and demonstrated career progression strengthen your MBA application. Types of experience include:

• Leadership: managing teams or projects
• Project Management: overseeing projects from start to finish
• Consulting: working on diverse business problems
• Entrepreneurial: starting or running a business
• Investment: working in banking, financial analysis, or corporate finance
• Marketing and Sales: developing and executing strategies
• Technology and Innovation: working in product development or IT management
• Nonprofit and Public Sector: working with charitable organizations or government
• International: working abroad or with branches of a multinational organization

Letters of Recommendation

You'll need 2–3 letters of recommendation. These help admissions committees understand how others perceive your strengths, leadership potential, and readiness for graduate-level business education.

Who to Ask

The best recommenders are direct supervisors who can provide detailed, first-hand insight into your work ethic, contributions, and growth over time. A strong letter should:

• Reference specific examples of your accomplishments
• Reflect your leadership, initiative, and teamwork
• Be personalized—not generic or templated
• Offer a confident and enthusiastic endorsement

Who to Avoid

• Professional peers
• Family members
• Employees (or anyone who might financially rely on you)

Tip: Provide recommenders with your resume, goals, and talking points to help them write a tailored letter.

Personal Statement and Essays

MBA essays and personal statements are your opportunity to go beyond test scores and transcripts to tell your story—who you are, what drives you, and why this degree makes sense for you right now. Whether required or optional, these written components carry significant weight in the admissions process.

What Admissions Committees Look For

Strong essays help you stand out by addressing three key questions:

1. Who are you as a person and professional?
2. What are your short- and long-term goals?
3. Why this school? Why now?

Tips for Crafting Impactful MBA Essays

• Be authentic and direct
• Use stories and data to show growth
• Tie each story back to your MBA goals

Admissions Interviews

The interview is usually the final step. It's an opportunity for the admissions committee to assess your communication skills, leadership potential, and fit with the program.

Prepare by practicing for common interview questions like:

• Why do you want to pursue an MBA at this school?
• How do you handle setbacks or failure? Provide an example.
• Can you describe a time when you demonstrated leadership?

Be ready to discuss your résumé and experiences in detail. Additionally, research the school and have thoughtful questions prepared to demonstrate your interest in the program.

Application Fees

You'll need to pay a nonrefundable fee for the review of your application. Depending on the school and your economic situation, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Most top MBA programs charge $250–$275 per application.

Application Fee Waivers

Fee waivers may be available for students with financial need, veterans, and participants in partner programs (e.g., Forté, MLT).

MBA Requirements by Program Type

Different MBA program types—such as Executive MBA (EMBA), Online MBA, and Deferred MBA—have unique requirements and target audiences. Here's how they compare:

Each format offers different advantages based on where you are in your career. If you're early in your journey, a Deferred MBA program might be ideal. Mid-career professionals often benefit from Online MBA programs, while seasoned leaders thrive in Executive MBA programs.

Additional Requirements for International Students

If you're applying to an MBA program in the U.S. as an international student you may need to meet additional requirements. These help schools assess your readiness for graduate-level coursework and ensure compliance with visa and academic policies.

• English language proficiency tests: Most programs require TOEFL or IELTS scores if your undergraduate degree wasn't taught in English. Minimum scores vary by school, but many top programs expect a TOEFL score of 100+ or an IELTS score of 7.0+.
• Credential evaluation: Some schools ask for international transcripts to be evaluated by a third-party agency to determine U.S. degree equivalency and GPA.
• Visa documentation: If accepted, you'll need to provide financial support documentation (bank statements, sponsor letters) to obtain your student visa.
• Interviews and communication skills: Your ability to speak clearly and confidently in English is often assessed during the interview—strong communication is a must in MBA classrooms and recruiting events.
• Cultural readiness: Some schools provide or recommend pre-MBA orientation programs or business prep courses for international students to ease the transition.

Common MBA Application Mistakes to Avoid

Even strong applicants can make simple mistakes that weaken their chances. Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Missing application deadlines: Business schools rarely accept late submissions, and applying in later rounds can hurt your odds—especially for competitive programs and scholarships.
• Choosing the wrong recommender: Pick someone who knows your work well and can offer detailed, personalized insights—not just someone with an impressive title.
• Underestimating the essays: Generic or vague essays are a missed opportunity. Use this space to make a memorable case for your candidacy.
• Ignoring the optional essay: If there's something in your application that needs context—like a gap in employment or a lower GPA—this is where you address it. Silence can raise more questions.
• Using the same materials for every school: Admissions committees can tell when your application isn't tailored. Referencing school-specific values, programs, or faculty shows genuine interest.
• Skipping GMAT/GRE prep: Even if a program is test-optional, submitting a strong score can strengthen your profile—especially if your GPA is below average.

Next Steps and Resources

Applying to business school is a big step—but you don't have to do it alone. Strengthen your application and reach your MBA goals.

• Find the Best Business Schools: Compare MBA programs across the country by location, specialization, and admissions selectivity.
• Take a Free GMAT Practice Test: Get a baseline score and see how you'd perform on test day—no pressure, just insight.
• Prepare for the GMAT:m Work with top instructors and adaptive prep tools to build the skills that can help you boost your score.

Getting into an MBA program is competitive, but with the right preparation and understanding of MBA requirements, you can craft a compelling application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply to an MBA program without work experience?

Yes. Deferred or early-career MBA programs accept students without full-time experience. Traditional programs generally prefer 2–5 years.

Is the GMAT always required?

Not always. Some programs offer waivers or accept the GRE instead. A strong score can help offset a lower GPA. Use our Business School Search tool to see the testing requirements for a specific school.

How important are MBA essays?

Very. Essays let you present your story, goals, and values—they're often a deciding factor.