Most applicants admitted to top business schools these days have about 4-6 years of full-time work experience before they enroll. So, let’s say you have only a couple of years on the job but feel otherwise ready and eager to commence your MBA studies. Before concluding that you lack the professional qualifications and background to apply this year, here are some key considerations from The MBA Exchange for early-career individuals:

WHY APPLY NOW?

•    A proven “do over” if your undergraduate major or GPA will constrain your trajectory.
•    Chance to leapfrog you non-MBA peers regarding the pace of your career development.
•    Opportunity to leave an industry, company or function that fell short of your expectations.
•    Pathway to internships and jobs unavailable to others with your level of work experience.
•    Fresh skills in standardized testing can bolster GMAT or GRE performance and thus maximize chances for admission to top-tier schools.

WHY APPLY LATER?

•    Greater clarity, specificity and certainty regarding long-term career goals. 
•    More in common with MBA classmates who typically have lengthier work experience.
•    Chance to gain real-world business savvy for sharing in classroom discussions.
•    Greater financial resources to help cover MBA tuition and living costs.
•    Stronger pre-MBA resume and compensation that can increase your appeal during recruiting.
•    Time to cultivate more compelling recommendations in support of your MBA candidacy.
•    Increased opportunities to show leadership potential at work and in the community. 

To help you determine the “best” time to apply to business school, start with a free, expert evaluation of your candidacy. This valuable step will either confirm your readiness and competitiveness to proceed or identify areas where more time and effort can improve the outcome of your campaign.