So you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, or your undergraduate degree is not in business. Is it still possible to get admitted and succeed in a business school, and how would getting an MBA benefit you?
Instead of teaching theory and performing research, the MBA is regarded as a professional degree that aims to educate students on the actual application of skills.
Because of this, the degree may “stand alone” as proof of one’s level of education, and therefore there is no requirement of any particular background for anyone who wants to do an MBA. It really is that flexible, and it doesn’t stop there; you can do an online MBA from almost anywhere in the world.
Even If you don’t have a business bachelor’s degree or background, it won’t prevent you from getting into or succeeding in an MBA program.
In reality, because they boost class diversity, many business schools welcome non-business degree students. Having said that, we recommend reading through this entire article to understand how, why, and if doing an MBA or online MBA is the right choice for you.
Will I be at a disadvantage compared to business undergrads?
Some non-business students are naturally worried that business majors who already have a strong background in business would perform comparatively better than them in the classroom. If you share this concern, then let us tell you that this isn’t true.
This is because of the deeper and more rigorous levels at which MBA programs and even online MBAs are taught compared to undergraduate business courses.
Additionally, MBA professors typically expect less from their undergraduate students in the same subject area when it comes to standards of analysis and critical thought. In simpler words, even if someone has a business background, they will face the same challenge as someone who’s new to it.
However, there is a small caveat. Students with no prior knowledge of business education should be advised that they might have finished a general accounting, statistics, or finance course before beginning the MBA program because many business schools demand prerequisites.
If you don’t have a history in business, this will be very helpful to you in avoiding having to teach yourself the fundamentals while you try to catch up with your colleagues.
How to obtain an MBA without having a bachelor’s degree
If you were wondering whether you can get directly into an MBA or an online MBA program without any undergraduate degree, then the answer is yes.
Some universities may accept students into an MBA program with no bachelor’s required. Here are some steps for applying to an MBA program in the sections that follow.
1. Find universities to apply to as the first step
You’ll have to visit each program’s website to evaluate their admission requirements and decide whether they would even consider admitting you. We know what you are thinking, “this can be a really time-consuming process”, but since there are no easy tools one may use to identify institutions that accept students without an undergraduate degree, you will have to do some research and find out for yourself.
As an alternative, you can prepare a prewritten message inquiring about your situation and email it to all of the colleges you’re interested in, saving yourself time. In either case, be sure the places you’re thinking about are reasonable. You might need to focus on smaller MBA programs if you’re not really an outstanding student from a top school.
2. Fulfill the requirements
If this is the first time you are applying for higher education, then you need to be even more prepared, as making a strong first impression is more important than you might think. Think of it as your first and final shot at getting into your dream college/ university.
Now, universities tend to have a long list of requirements, and more often than not, these requirements will each take their own span of time. It’s safe to say that you can’t really predict how quickly you can fulfill all these requirements, so always allow yourself ample time for preparation before the start of the program you are aiming for.
While specific institution and program requirements can vary, the following are generally part of the application process:
- An application form (including the usual personal data) and the application fees
- Essay(s) and/or a Statement of Purpose outlining your goals for the program, your qualifications for acceptance, etc.
- Resume/CV. To decide if you fulfill or surpass their job experience criteria
- Transcripts. The program-required classes and/or grade requirements are included.
- Scores on admission tests. Include the Graduate Record Examination GRE, the Executive Assessment EA, and/or other admission examinations, as well as the Graduate Management Admission Test GMAT.
- Test results for English as a Second Language (if applicable)
- Recommendation letters
- A recommendation from the employer
- An interview
3. Send your application, then wait for a reply
When everything is ready and completed, submit your application and just hope for the best! You could get a rejection letter, an invitation to an interview, a conditional acceptance, or a complete acceptance, depending on the university.
How can an MBA degree benefit you?
The world is changing, and everything we see around us is no longer confined to specific industries, a workforce with limited skill sets, functions, etc. The employers of today’s world are constantly cross-training their workforce in the pursuit of multi-skilled employees.
This is where an MBA degree comes in handy; people with various educational backgrounds can merge their skills with the foundations of business with marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, ethics, communication, management, and many more core functions of the business.
This is why many high-ranking universities are encouraging their students to complete dual degrees, which allow students with a background in medicine, law, and engineering to become more educationally versatile through the knowledge of the business.
When a student has both a general MBA and a highly specialized technical degree, their employability in any industry is further increased since they are able to communicate in business terms.
Conclusion
Regardless of whether you don’t have a bachelor’s degree in business or no bachelor’s degree at all, you can still obtain an MBA degree.
There’s no need to be concerned about being at a disadvantage to business undergrads because the level of difficulty will be equal for everyone during the MBA program.
If you think you’re ready for it, then follow the steps above to apply for an MBA program, and make your dream career a reality!
