Hi, so if i finished my undergraduate in 4 years, should I immediately apply for an MBA school or should I work 3-5 years then apply afterwards? I was also hoping to take GMAT as a HS senior.
There’s no harm in applying to several schools at this stage, see where you get in and then make the call. It is really unlikely you will get into a top 20 program with no work experience but, there are MANY solid schools that will accept students with limited or no professional experience. SDSU is a good example.
I went directly for my MBA while working in a professional career, I think it is the best option. However, if you want to just focus on getting the MBA first, I would not see a problem with that at all, as jobs now really want a professional degree as well.
This is a HS senior asking what they should do, I think. Wait to take the GMAT. It is only good for 5 years, and then you are pressured to apply immediately or retake. You might even change your mind about the MBA, then would have wasted your money. The issue isn’t just getting into programs – the students coming out of MBA programs who command big $ often have a few years of work experience that add to their value – it isn’t just the MBA that is driving the good offers.
Read the thread on work experience in this forum.