Is Work experience required for the MBA program?

While work experience is not required for the MBA program, the Admissions Committee strongly encourages professional experience post the bachelor’s degree for applicants – it is another important portion of the application review process. The work experience can be demonstrated through the resume, essays and letters of recommendation from current or previous supervisors/employers. The Smith MBA requires that students reflect on their failures and successes in the workplace as they share with their classmates and work on problem solving assignments.

From the faculty perspective:

“We love students who have faced problems up front – who have struggled with a business decision, with raising or allocating capital. At Smith, we want to inspire you to come work out solutions to those problems with other experienced students. … As an instructor, when I see a student experience an “ah-ha’ to a business solution or framework that they personally recognize – that’s satisfying.”

--Dr. Shreevardham Lele
Academic Director, Robert H. Smith School of Business
Teaching Professor
Decision & Information Technologies

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