Math for MBA?

This is due to some comments I saw in a different thread.

Do you need to have taken a minimum math requirement in undergrad to have a chance at the top MBAs? I've looked at a few of the websites (Harvard, Stanford, Tuck, Columbia) and don't recall having come across this. But a number of people here seem to think you need to have done some calc to stand a chance. I did a bit of calc in college and AB Calc in high school but nothing of note. Isn't a strong GMAT score and work experience in something sort-of-numerical enough?

As reference: I have a bachelor's and a masters, both from targets, and work in S&T. But I have a view to do an MBA as a career change towards consulting or public finance type work.

 

There is no official math requirement, although some programs do openly recommend that you have at least taken an undergrad level calculus class. Where a "lack of quant" becomes an issue is if you don't have any quant in college AND your GMAT quant score isn't strong (i.e. above 80%).

In reality, you won't even need calculus in b-school. The "quant" is plug and play - they give you the formulas (they don't get you to derive them or write proofs), and you plug them into your excel spreadsheet or calculator.

Alex Chu

Alex Chu www.mbaapply.com
 

Provident iure dolor doloremque non rem qui incidunt. Sint ipsa sed occaecati placeat a iure. Qui ullam perspiciatis deleniti excepturi doloribus debitis. Sed quaerat dignissimos non provident neque incidunt qui sit. Est cupiditate et illo ut esse.

Dolor natus atque aut et vero consequatur eveniet. Ad iure sit ut rerum. Ut expedita voluptate ab eius dolores non. Excepturi qui eveniet et maxime rerum aut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners New 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 01 98.3%
  • Harris Williams & Co. 24 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 19 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.9%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.9%
  • Perella Weinberg Partners 18 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 16 97.7%
  • Moelis & Company 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (22) $375
  • Associates (93) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (69) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (206) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (149) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”