Inside MBA Cohort Selection: What Top Business Schools Look For

Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs operate differently from undergraduate and other graduate programs. One of the biggest advantages of an MBA program is the connections you make with peers. A cohort-based model of education amplifies those connections. Understanding the meaning of an MBA cohort and the strategic role it plays in the admission process can increase your chances of getting into the program of your choice and help you get the most out of your MBA experience.

This article will explore what an MBA cohort is, what factors admissions officers consider, and how you can strengthen your application.

What Is an MBA Cohort?

 
An MBA cohort is made up of students who are admitted at the same time and who complete the program’s core courses together. As an undergraduate, you chose your own schedule based on the courses you needed to graduate and your personal preferences. Although you may have shared more than one class with other students with the same major, that was probably more of a coincidence than a plan.

In the MBA cohort experience, you’ll spend the length of your program with the same classmates. You’ll work on many problems as a group, so the expertise, personalities, and interpersonal skills of the students in your cohort will have a significant impact on the quality of your program. Because of this, admissions officers put great thought into choosing students and creating cohorts that will provide the greatest benefit to all involved.¹

Cohort MBA programs can offer rolling admissions or admission rounds. In admission rounds, universities will have two or three application deadlines—usually one in early fall, one in January, and one in spring. They will evaluate all of the applications they receive and send out all acceptances at the same time within these rounds. Universities with rolling admissions practices may or may not use rounds, but they’ll send out acceptances as applications are evaluated. In universities that practice rolling admissions, your chances of acceptance are highest early in the cycle.²

The Importance of MBA Cohort Size

 
The size of your MBA cohort can affect the quality of your education. Smaller cohorts create a more close-knit environment in which you’ll get to know your classmates and professors well throughout your studies. Larger cohorts, however, often offer more diversity, which can include a broader range of perspectives from different industries and backgrounds. Larger cohorts can also provide more networking opportunities. Some universities try to provide both by dividing up a large incoming class into smaller cohorts.³

There are benefits and drawbacks to both, but a deciding factor may ultimately be a matter of how class size aligns with your goals. If your primary motivation for getting an MBA is the connections you’ll make and you enjoy networking, a large cohort may suit you better. If you’re more concerned with forging deeper relationships, you might excel in a smaller cohort.³

Key Factors in MBA Cohort Selection

 
When MBA admissions officers consider your application, they’ll be looking for signs that you can contribute to building a valuable cohort. Schools don’t want cookie-cutter candidates. Instead, they want bright, ambitious students who bring a wide range of industry expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives.⁴

Academic Achievements

The academic coursework in an MBA program is challenging, so admissions officers want to see evidence that you can handle it. The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is the most widely used standardized test for MBA programs, although some schools will accept the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) as well. Admissions officers will also look at your undergraduate transcript to evaluate your academic proficiency. Although your overall GPA is important, they also want to see evidence that you’ve done well in quantitative courses, such as calculus or statistics.⁴

Professional Work Experience

Most MBA programs require at least two years of work experience. Others, including Santa Clara University, require a minimum of three years. When professors are teaching a topic, input from students with relevant experience can add depth and value to the class environment. The best cohorts will include students with a work history in many different industries and positions.

Furthermore, admissions officers will want to see that you’ve made the most out of your professional experience. If you can demonstrate that you were promoted, increased your responsibilities, or achieved especially positive results, you’ll have an advantage in the selection and admission process.⁵

Leadership Qualities and Skills

The purpose of an MBA program is to train business leaders. Admissions officers will expect to see that you have leadership potential, even if you’ve only had a few years working at your first post-college job. Fortunately, titles aren’t the only evidence of leadership. You can demonstrate core leadership skills, such as emotional intelligence, collaboration, communication, and initiative, in any position. Consider ways in which you’ve made a positive impact in your organization and highlight how you demonstrated leadership qualities. In addition, you can demonstrate your leadership potential to admissions officers by highlighting how you've assumed responsibility in other contexts, such as volunteer work.⁶

How Do Schools Ensure Diversity in a Cohort?

In a global trade environment, the ability to understand and work well with people from varied backgrounds, cultures, industries, and geographic locations is critical to success as a business leader. Business schools understand this, so they work to recruit diverse cohorts. Learning with international students and those who have significantly different life experiences can broaden your worldview, improve problem-solving skills, and prepare you to work in an interconnected world.⁷

Many business schools work to create more diverse cohorts through holistic admission processes. Instead of looking solely at your standardized test scores and GPA, admissions officers will consider all aspects of your admission packet. This can include your personal experiences, challenges you’ve overcome, and your cultural background. Everyone has a unique story to tell, so including yours in your essay or admission interview can work in your favor.⁷

Maximize Your Career Potential

Pursue next-level opportunities without sacrificing your personal life or career trajectory. Led by industry experts and designed for working professionals, the Online MBA program from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business gets you closer to reaching your professional goals. The flexible online program instills the foundational business knowledge and principled leadership skills to propel your career in Silicon Valley and business hubs around the world.

You’ll strengthen your network, connecting with the accomplished peers and professionals of your cohort, who can be valuable partners and colleagues after graduation.

Make today the day your career takes off. Contact us today or schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.