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Studying for an MBA in the USA

Have you been thinking about studying for an MBA in the USA? Looking for a bit more information on what you can expect? You’ve come to the right place. Our guide can help answer some key questions.

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An MBA degree remains one of the most popular choices for postgraduate international students. It’s an excellent way to progress your career and develop advanced knowledge and skills. However, the experience of studying for an MBA isn’t the same in every study destination. We spoke to an MBA Director from a university in the USA to understand what you can expect if you study there. We cover everything from application to curriculum. 

 

What are the general admission requirements for an MBA in the USA?

To qualify to study for an MBA in the USA, there are specific entry requirements that you will have to meet. While this will differ between institutions, the standards needed for admission are:

 

  • An undergraduate degree demonstrating good academic performance (2:1 or equivalent)
  • A GPA of 3.0 or equivalent 
  • An IELTS score of 7.0 with no band score lower than 6.5
  • Academic references 
  • Resume 

 

Don’t worry if you don’t quite meet all of the requirements. Many universities offer pre-masters, foundation, or MBA preparation programmes to help you attain the necessary academic standard. This is also the case for your English language score, with pre-sessional English courses offering tuition to get your test result where it needs to be. 

 

Remember when making your application to check if your prospective university is accredited. This means that the quality of your degree has been verified by an external organisation. In the USA, the most prominent and prestigious accreditation organisation is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 

 

 

How do you make your application stand out?

When making an application for an MBA you need to consider some critical factors. Admission officers are looking for students who are ambitious, curious, and knowledge-driven. Having a clear rationale for why you want to study for an MBA is also important. 

 

That’s why your statement of purpose, resume, and letters of recommendation are critical. This is your main opportunity to stand out and demonstrate your character and qualities. It’s challenging for a university to tell just from your academic record what you’re all about.  Some of the ways you can make your application stand out can include:

 

  • Following all procedures and requirements exactly. It will work in your favour and demonstrates professionalism. 
  • Make sure that you proofread and edit your application. 
  • Spend time on your statement and essay. Be honest, open and sincere in what you write.
  • It’s always good to show that you have been involved in volunteering, internships, or work experience during your undergraduate degree or you have professional experience. 
  • Be proactive and contact the university to ask questions and check on your application. 

 

 

Will I need to take an admission test?

You will likely need to take the Graduate Management Acceptance Test (GMAT) to get into an MBA programme. Usually, you will need to get a score of between 650 and 700 on the test to be accepted. You may also be able to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) for acceptance. A good GRE score is above 315, and this is a reliable indicator that you’ll be accepted. Be sure to check with your prospective university which tests they accept so that you can prepare accordingly. 

 

What about MBA specialisations?

You will have a choice of the type of MBA degree you study and the specific area of focus it will have. Remember that there are different MBA degree structures available in the USA, including:

 

  • Full-time 
  • Part-time 
  • Executive 
  • International 
  • Online 
  • Specialised

 

In terms of the popular MBA specialisations you can undertake, these can include:

 

  • Marketing 
  • Management consulting 
  • General management 
  • Business analytics 
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Operations management 
  • Strategy 
  • Finance leadership
  • Information security management 

 

Some MBA programmes allow you to study more than one specialised subject area. It can be useful to download a university prospectus or check a university’s website to verify what combination of specialisations are offered. 

 

How are MBA programmes taught?

An MBA programme focuses on helping you apply the theory and knowledge you’re learning in a real-world setting. This means much time working in groups and on projects, sometimes in professional environments. Typically an MBA programme will be divided into teaching blocks and semesters with the following featuring prominently:

 

  • Classroom group work
  • Project work 
  • Case studies 
  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Seminars 

 

MBA courses are taught by a wide range of faculty from diverse backgrounds, which helps to give you different perspectives and allows you to draw on their experience. Some may have worked for many years before coming to the classroom. For example, engineers or architects. 

 

 

What skills do you get as an MBA graduate?

With an MBA being a multidisciplinary degree, you will graduate with an advanced and versatile skill set ideal for a top job. Importantly, you would have studied in a multicultural environment which prepares you for a globalised world and interaction with people from diverse backgrounds. MBA graduates are often sought after by employers because of essential skills, including:

 

  • Advanced communication skills 
  • Advanced analytical and informational skills 
  • Management and leadership ability 
  • Critical thinking and innovation 
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Integrated problem-solving abilities 

 

You also learn how to operate in multidisciplinary environments, some of which you may not have been familiar with before studying for your MBA. That way even if you started it in marketing, you may now be equally comfortable in finance or engineering. Having an MBA is known to increase your career prospects both in terms of role and salary. 

 

As you can tell, an MBA in the USA is a significant investment of time and resources, but the rewards can be worth it. You may also want to discover more about studying in the USA. Our guides to the top five student cities in the USA and what the USA offers international students can help. 

 

 

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