How to Get Into Ivy League MBA Programs

The Ivy League comprises some of the world’s most prestigious universities, many of which are home to outstanding business schools.

With this in mind, earning a master of business administration (MBA) degree from one of these schools can offer significant career and networking advantages.

Six of the Ivies have business schools: Columbia University, Cornell University (Johnson), Dartmouth College (Tuck), Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), and Yale University. And all of their MBA programs rank among the most prestigious and selective in the nation.

This guide can help you decide if one of these schools may be a good fit for you, offering tips to help you through the admissions process.

An Ivy League MBA program can help prepare you for the challenges of the emerging job market, open doors to new opportunities, and boost your earning potential and career mobility.

They can do this by providing access to world-class faculty, accomplished classmates, global alumni networks, and top-tier recruiters.

Recruiters from top companies such as McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, Google, Microsoft, and Accenture routinely hire from these top business schools, offering starting salaries often surpassing $150,000 in fields such as consulting, private equity, technology, and finance.

When applying to an Ivy MBA program, keep in mind that admissions committees consider multiple factors. These often include:

Each year, tens of thousands of highly qualified students vie for coveted spots in Ivy League MBA programs. Here are some ways to make your application stand out in a crowded field:

All of the Ivy MBA programs require standardized test scores for admission. This means you’ll have to submit either your GMAT or GRE score — some schools allow you to submit both. To be a competitive candidate, you’ll need a GMAT score above 720 or a GRE score above 320.

At Harvard, in recent years, about 70% of applicants have submitted the GMAT, and about one-third have submitted the GRE — some students even sent both. If you submit more than one score, Harvard will consider the highest one.

Although MBA programs don’t require specific undergraduate majors for admissions, you will have to demonstrate your readiness to undertake a demanding curriculum with a quantitative focus. That said, many Ivy League MBA students come from humanities backgrounds like history, English, and philosophy.

If you have any academic gaps, there are several programs that can help you improve your business knowledge, such as UCLA’s Pre-MBA Studies certificate program or the Pre-MBA Essentials online program offered by Imperial College London through edX.

You can also consider Dartmouth’s Tuck Business Bridge Program, which offers liberal arts and sciences students courses in accounting, marketing, finance, and leadership to help prepare them for MBA studies.

Although some students march straight into MBA programs after college, it’s exceedingly rare — especially at top programs like those in the Ivy League.

At the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, for instance, students have an average of 5-6 years of work experience. Additionally, Wharton doesn’t consider just the number of years but rather the “depth and breadth of an individual’s position,” the applicant’s “contributions to the work environment,” and the “level of responsibility and progression.”

Wharton recommends seeking challenging projects and opportunities to lead, which you can tout in your MBA application. So, whether at a Fortune 500 company or a small firm, you should demonstrate your ability to thrive in a team environment, build strong relationships, and think strategically about career advancement.

For your letters of recommendations, choose a manager or mentor who can speak to your work accomplishments and potential to succeed in a competitive environment.

Columbia Business School notes that it’s best that a letter of recommendation comes from your current supervisor, but one from a former manager or professional associate is also valid.

Like other top business schools, Columbia asks recommenders to consider how an applicant’s performance, potential, and personal attributes compare to those of other employees. They should offer specific examples of behaviors and accomplishments. The school also asks the recommender to provide the most important piece of constructive feedback he or she offered the applicant.

With this in mind, choose someone who can speak directly and, of course, favorably about your past performance and future potential.

In your personal statement and resume, focus on the qualities that distinct you as an applicant. Yale’s School of Management says the application is your opportunity to help tell your story and discuss your professional experience, academic background, and other related activities.

Use your resume and essay to highlight how you’ll add value to your work environment and the school’s community. Yale also encourages applicants to mention their leadership experience and examples of strategic thinking.

Because business schools like to quantify things, you should also offer specific metrics that demonstrate your achievements, such as percentages detailing sales figures or cost savings.

Finally, Yale says you should use the application to your advantage, answering any potential questions about your accomplishments and ability to succeed in a competitive academic environment.

You might need to participate in an interview, most likely with a member of the admissions team. Take this as an opportunity to reinforce your interest in the school and your suitability as an applicant.

Recent feedback from candidates applying to Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management provides a glimpse into what the interview process entails. The school seeks students who demonstrate an ability to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity, a commitment to collaborative teamwork, and an appreciation for diverse viewpoints.

The interviewer will likely ask questions regarding your current role, long-term goals, and potential “Plan B” if you’re not accepted. You’ll also likely get asked why now is the best time for you to pursue an MBA, why the school is a good fit for you, and what you offer the academic community in return.

Additionally, the interviewer will try to evaluate your leadership style asking for examples of how you handled difficult interpersonal situations.

Beyond preparing to answer common interview questions, take some time to research the school’s program, community, and values.

This can help you ask your interviewer thoughtful questions about opportunities and outcomes unique to that institution, which can show your genuine interest and help you assess whether the program aligns with your goals.