<p>I have a friend who is interested in studying here in US. She finished in Industrial Chemistry in Myanmar, and now she wants to get into a MBA program here in US. So, I suggested she does the pre-MBA courses before she goes into MBA. Can anyone suggest universities that have strong pre-MBA programs? Is it hard for her to get into it since she didn't graduated from an US university? What are the requirements to join the pre-MBA program? I prefer places that are safe, and possibly in the northeast region, near NYC, of US.</p>
<p>Also, will the university give her an I-20 if she gets into it? She needs it to get her visa.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>I am not aware of any business schools that require any particular pre-MBA courses. As far as I know, business schools admit students from all disciplines. </p>
<p>Your friend needs to take the GMAT. </p>
<p>Thank you for your reply. I am aware that GMAT is important, but since it would be challenging for an international student, I wanted her to take a pre-MBA courses that prepare her for GMAT. Is there any way to enter into a MBA program without GMAT or GRE and work experience? Thanks again.</p>
<p>If I recall correctly (it was ages ago I took the test), there is nothing particularly business-related in the GMAT. Your friend should go to an English-language bookstore and get a GMAT study book. They will be on the shelf together with SAT study books.</p>
<p>Having work experience is preferred for business school candidates. </p>
<p>Why does your friend want an MBA? An MBA is not like an MD or a JD at all. Very rarely are students accepted to MBA programs straight out of undergrad (top programs require 3-5 years of work experience).</p>
<p>I’m assuming the route that your friend has in mind is “undergrad–>MBA–>business career”.
This is wrong.</p>
<p>An MBA is simply used for the ADVANCEMENT of one’s already-established business career. You really should only get an MBA if the company you’re working for will not allow you to climb higher up the corporate ladder. So, the path should look more like “undergrad–>entry-level position–>MBA–>senior position”.</p>
<p>Of course, there are many people who follow the “undergrad–>entry-level position–>senior position” route if they are invited to stay with the company to climb up the ranks–eliminating the need for an MBA altogether.</p>
<p>If your friend wants to work in business, I recommend that she pursues consulting. I’m sure there are firms in Myanmar who would love to have her industrial chemistry background. If she thinks that she wants to work in the US later, she needs to work for the most prestigious consulting firm possible. After she works as a junior consultant for 3-5 years, THEN she can look into applying to top MBA programs in the US.</p>
<p>^
</p>
<p>This is not correct. Many people pursue an MBA as a means of effectuating a career change. I think its a pretty reasonable rationale.</p>
<p>@CHD2013 </p>
<p>Although I agree with you, I still stand by my point. I left that bit out to keep things simple for the OP. 
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