Supporting you on your MBA journey
Whether you're just starting to learn about the MBA Match or are ready to apply, we offer a range of programs and resources to support you. Through the MBA Match application process, you can take advantage of:
- Live events and office hours: Explore events to hear from QuestBridge Alumni, connect with admissions reps, and get tips on testing, essays, and more.
- Tailored resources and guidance: At every step of your application journey, find support created to help you succeed.
- Special offers: Access exclusive test prep and application discounts for QuestBridge Alumni.
- A supportive community: Learn about MBA Match Scholarship Recipients and connect with Alumni through our Business School Affinity Group.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Find support through MBA events and office hours
Throughout the MBA application season, take advantage of our Alumni panels, partner events with admissions representatives, live office hours, test prep sessions, and more! Explore events →
MBA application resources
- Standardized Testing Guide: Choose, prep for, and schedule the GMAT or GRE with confidence using this guide packed with comparison charts, timelines, and cost-saving resources.
- Recommendations Guide: Explore how to choose the right recommenders and guide them to write strong, personalized letters for your MBA application.
- Writing Guide: Write authentic, compelling MBA application essays and short answers that highlight your unique story, goals, and fit with the program.
- MBA Admissions Interview Guide: Stand out in your MBA admissions interview with expert tips, school-specific insights, and strategies to confidently tell your story.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the MBA Match and additional resources to help you on your journey. If you have additional questions, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Getting started
Here are some steps you can take now to start your MBA journey:
Get to know our graduate school partners by visiting each school's website, signing up for their mailing lists, and attending admissions events.
Schedule to take your standardized tests and make a study plan. A GRE or GMAT test score is a required part of the application.
Think about who you want to approach to write your two required letters of recommendation.
Reflect on why you want to get an MBA and how it fits into your career path. Be ready to convey this throughout your application.
Standardized testing
When it comes to test preparation, everyone has different needs. Some applicants find a GMAT or GRE class beneficial in helping them stay on a studying schedule. Others manage their time and prepare well without any kind of formal session. What’s most important is to have a plan and carve out dedicated study time. There are many GMAT and GRE test prep resources available at a range of costs.
There is no minimum acceptable GMAT or GRE score. Our graduate school partners accept students with a range of scores. Your application will be reviewed holistically; testing is only one piece. However, achieving a strong test score is an opportunity to strengthen your application, so we encourage you to invest time in studying and earning your best scores. Aside from testing, you can convey your academic readiness for business school through other components of your application, such as highlighting your undergraduate coursework, pursuing additional quantitative courses, or selecting a recommender who can attest to your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Recommendations
The first recommendation should come from your current supervisor. This individual can offer first-hand knowledge of your impact in the organization. However, we understand this might not always be possible. If that’s the case, you may choose another professional contact with relevant knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses, such as a client, business partner, or prior supervisor. Just be sure to explain why you are not selecting your current supervisor in the additional information section of the application.
Your second recommendation should come from someone who can speak to recent, specific examples of your performance, contributions, and leadership potential. For both recommenders, you may want to consider how their perspective will offer new dimensions and insight into your candidacy.
Professional experience
Typically, business school applicants have at least two years of full-time professional work experience post-college. However, the most competitive applicants have, on average, 3-5 years of experience at the time of enrollment.
Our graduate school partners are particularly interested in the progression and milestones of your career. Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving experience, and a vision for where you would like to take your career are also important factors. Applicants can come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.
Your resume should provide an overview of your professional experience, academic background, and any volunteer work, activities, or interests that help to tell your story. When describing your experiences, focus on achievements and the value you add, rather than merely reciting your general job responsibilities. In particular, you may want to highlight leadership experience, quantitative skills, and evidence of strategic thinking. Unless you have extensive work experience, your resume should be limited to one page.
Essays and short answers
The writing components present an opportunity to add depth and context to your application. Before you begin writing, it might be helpful to take a step back and think about your story, professional goals, and how they relate to your plan to pursue an MBA. Then, you can try making a list of potential ideas. It may take some time to determine which ideas to select and how to present them. Be open to drafting and redrafting. Consider asking friends or family members for feedback on your ideas and drafts. When proofreading, check for not just spelling and grammar, but also overall tone and appropriateness.
Graduate School Match: MBA process
Both your QuestBridge application and school-specific supplemental materials will be considered in the holistic review process by our graduate school partners. No one application component is given higher priority or weight over the other.
MBA Match Scholarship offers are non-binding. Applicants who match will also receive Round 1 application decisions from all schools they ranked, submitted the supplemental requirements to, and did not match with. They will also be considered for additional scholarships and financial aid from each school, based on each school’s funding policy and availability. Applicants will be able to review their admission outcomes, financial aid opportunities, and next steps from all the graduate school partners they ranked.
Applicants who do not match will be considered for Round 1 admission at all the programs they ranked and submitted the supplemental requirements to. If admitted through Round 1, they will be considered for other forms of scholarships and financial aid from the schools. Applicants who are waitlisted during Round 1 may be considered for admission at a later round, based on each school’s timeline.
Applicants who are interested in pursuing a dual/joint degree program in conjunction with a full-time MBA are eligible to apply to the Graduate School Match. However, it will be at the discretion of our graduate school partner to determine the eligibility of and funding for the specific dual/joint degree program, as each program varies in length and structure. Applicants are encouraged to directly contact our graduate school partners to learn more about each school’s policy around applying to dual/joint degree programs through the Graduate School Match.
The Graduate School Match: MBA is designed for QuestBridge Alumni to apply to attend traditional, two-year, full-time MBA programs offered by our graduate school partners.
For applicants who are interested in applying through our partners' deferred enrollment offerings, please reach out to the programs directly to learn more. If you are admitted to a deferred enrollment program at an MBA partner, you may apply to the Graduate School Match: MBA during the summer a year prior to your start date in order to be considered for the scholarship funding.