Pre-Masters of Business Administration

Introduction

Admissions criteria: Criteria of admission to MBA programs are: quality of full-time work experience, GMAT score, cumulative grade point average, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities. Almost all graduate programs strongly encourage potential students to gain full-time work experience before applying.

Persons with strong interpersonal skills, creativity, an ability to engage in critical thinking, an awareness of the globalization process, and an ability to communicate effectively are the most successful in business. For this reason, a liberal arts background can provide a solid base on which to build a successful business career.

Advice to Students considering an MBA Program

Course Selection

While a Pre-MBA student can select any major at the College, it is helpful to take certain courses that will orient the student more specifically in the business field. Below is a list of two categories of such courses: most useful and recommended.

Most Useful

Economics

ECON 111 Introduction to Microeconomics

ECON 112 Introduction to Macroeconomics

International Business and Management

IB&M 100 Fundamentals of Business
IB&M 200 Global Economy

IB&M 210 Financial Accounting

IB&M 230 Organizational Behavior

IB&M 240 Marketing

Mathematics

MATH 121 Elementary Statistics

MATH 161 Calculus I or 151-152 Introduction to Calculus, or IB&M 220 Managerial Economics

Internships and independent studies

Business-oriented internships and independent studies.

Recommended

Additional courses in International Business and Management as well as courses in Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, and Political Science. Competency in a foreign language is also recommended.

Business Careers after Graduation

Many entry-level positions of responsibility in business are available to the liberal arts graduate. Students desiring a business career should plan their course of study as early as their sophomore year by consulting with the Career Center as well as their academic advisor.

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) should be taken by the fall semester of the senior year. The GMAT is a computer-based standardized test offered at Prometric Testing Centers. Check www.mba.com for registration information.

Admissions Process

See the Career Center staff for information and assistance with admission to MBA programs. Contact the IB&M staff associate, Janene Millen to set up an appointment to speak to a member of the IB&M faculty.

For additional information, see:www.dickinson.edu/bulletin/businessad.html

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Updated June 21, 2005