When applying for MBA programs, will schools hold it against you if you were previously rejected from their program?

[Orsorum]

I remember reading an article on law school admissions where many law schools said that if you were rejected once, you were better off not bothering to reapply in a later year. However, I was wondering if the same was true for MBA programs. Anyone know?

My question is like this:

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2006, and get rejected b/c of lack of work experience (my grades and GMAT are competitive for their program)

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2010 (now with 4 years work exp. with a Big 4 acctg firm or something similar). Would they hold the previous rejection *against* me or consider my application as a tabula rasa?

 

[everman]

I guess it probably depends on why you were regected, and if anything has happened since then that would change their mind about it.

 

[Landroval]

It will depend on why you were rejected. Was it that you did not meet their standards (some of which might not be on the table)? Were there just a ton of super-qualified applicants the year you were rejected? What have you been doing in the year(s) since then? etc.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: everman
I guess it probably depends on why you were regected, and if anything has happened since then that would change their mind about it.

In my case the only determining factor would be work experience (right out of my MPAcc program as opposed to having worked for four years or so). I do remember with the law school comment it was rather concrete.

 

[upsciLLion]

No, but if you had a hot body, would you hold it against me?

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
No, but if you had a hot body, would you hold it against me?

Of course not, but only if you checked me out.

 

[Landroval]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: everman
I guess it probably depends on why you were regected, and if anything has happened since then that would change their mind about it.

In my case the only determining factor would be work experience (right out of my MPAcc program as opposed to having worked for four years or so). I do remember with the law school comment it was rather concrete.

Well, if the school gets a ton of top applicants each year (as many do), they may have the bar set high on certain admissions factors. Certainly, work experience is considered a major plus to most MBA programs, so that could easily be it.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Landroval

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: everman
I guess it probably depends on why you were regected, and if anything has happened since then that would change their mind about it.

In my case the only determining factor would be work experience (right out of my MPAcc program as opposed to having worked for four years or so). I do remember with the law school comment it was rather concrete.

Well, if the school gets a ton of top applicants each year (as many do), they may have the bar set high on certain admissions factors. Certainly, work experience is considered a major plus to most MBA programs, so that could easily be it.

Well, I realize that's a huge factor. My question is more like this:

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2006, and get rejected b/c of lack of work experience (my grades and GMAT are competitive for their program)

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2010 (now with 4 years work exp. with a Big 4 acctg firm or something similar). Would they hold the previous rejection *against* me or consider my application as a tabula rasa?

 

[Reel]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
No, but if you had a hot body, would you hold it against me?

Of course not, but only if you checked me out.

Denied!

 

[Orsorum]

Bump.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
No, but if you had a hot body, would you hold it against me?

How much money do you make?

(Also, bump )

 

[FlyLice]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: Landroval

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: everman
I guess it probably depends on why you were regected, and if anything has happened since then that would change their mind about it.

In my case the only determining factor would be work experience (right out of my MPAcc program as opposed to having worked for four years or so). I do remember with the law school comment it was rather concrete.

Well, if the school gets a ton of top applicants each year (as many do), they may have the bar set high on certain admissions factors. Certainly, work experience is considered a major plus to most MBA programs, so that could easily be it.

Well, I realize that's a huge factor. My question is more like this:

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2006, and get rejected b/c of lack of work experience (my grades and GMAT are competitive for their program)

I apply to NYU for their MBA program beginning in 2010 (now with 4 years work exp. with a Big 4 acctg firm or something similar). Would they hold the previous rejection *against* me or consider my application as a tabula rasa?

No.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: FlyLice
No.

Woot. You definitely live up to your namesake!

 

[FlyLice]

Originally posted by: Orsorum

Originally posted by: FlyLice
No.

Woot. You definitely live up to your namesake!

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: upsciLLion
No, but if you had a hot body, would you hold it against me?

How much money do you make?

(Also, bump )

Still waiting for a response, big boy.

 

[Orsorum]

Bump.

 

[Double Trouble]

Depends on the schools. For most schools though (the MBA programs I've been involved with as a student or consultant), the equation comes down to your qualifications and how you stack up versus the rest of the candidates in the possible class.

Even if you don't address the reason they rejected you previously (for example, lack of work experience), you can still get subsequenty accepted if the next pool of candidates is weaker. I wouldn't count on that, because pools generally get stronger over time, not weaker.

I can't tell you for NYU's MBA program, but I'd feel pretty confident applying now and then reapplying later if you don't get in now. A solid work history is not just something you need to have to get into a good MBA program, it's essential to help you get the most out of the MBA program. Concepts taught just tie in much bettter if you have real workplace environment experience in finance, accounting, marketing etc.

 

[Otaking]

FYI,

I've asked Stanford and Harvard MBA admissions the same question, and they say it doesn't matter. Some schools have a different app if you're applying again, so they want to know what you've done since the rejection to further market yourself.

Every year is a different batch of students with different sets of skills, so the Admissions team may think you're a better match for one batch of students over another batch of stdents.