Best MBA Programs in Canada

Best MBA Programs in Canada

MBA acceptance rates in Canada sit around 40% on average, making it one of the more competitive graduate school programs to get into. There are many excellent MBA programs in Canada offered at some of the best schools in the Canadian universities ranking list. The top MBA programs in Canada are some of the most sought-after, receiving thousands of applications per year. They are also some of the best online MBA programs available. These programs are also highly competitive, too, offering a limited number of spots per year and requiring strict admission requirements.

The best MBA programs in Canada are so popular because they offer some the best business school educations in the world, and many are open to students from all over the globe. Getting an MBA in Canada means a high likelihood of finding a good career after graduating and earning a salary in one of the highest-paid professions in the country. For international students, its also an excellent opportunity to earn both an advanced degree and pursue a Canadian permanent residency status to continue working and living in Canada after your studies. MBA graduates are in high demand in Canada, and an MBA degree from any of the best MBA programs in Canada are well-respected and highly coveted.

Applying to the best MBA programs in Canada means standing out in a pool of exemplary candidates and meeting high admission standards. Candidates hoping to get accepted to the top-ranked MBA programs should have high GPA and GMAT scores, and at least 2 to 4 years of work experience. The table below illustrates the acceptance rates and admission requirements at some of Canada’s top business schools.

Best MBA Programs in Canada

Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario

Acceptance rate: 8%

GPA: N/A

GMAT: 671

Work experience required: 5 years

Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto

Acceptance rate: 82%

GPA: 3.0

GMAT: 665

Work experience required: 5 years required

Smith School of Business at Queen's University

Acceptance rate: 47.9%

GPA: 3.35

GMAT: 656

Work experience required: 8 years (required)

Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University

Acceptance rate: 35%

GPA: 3.5

GMAT: 681

Work experience required: 2 years required

Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia

Acceptance rate: 6%

GPA: 3.7

GMAT: 647

Work experience required: 3-5 years (average)

Schulich School of Business at York University

Acceptance rate: 30%

GPA: 3.3

GMAT: 665

Work experience required: 6 years

Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta

Acceptance rate: 66%

GPA: 3.4

GMAT: 630

Work experience required: 5 years

John Molson School of Business at Concordia University

Acceptance rate: 40%

GPA: 3.8

GMAT: 640

Work experience required: 4.7 years (average)

HEC Montreal

Acceptance rate: 38%

GPA: N/A

GMAT: 642

Work experience required: 5 years

Rowe School of Business at Dalhousie University

Acceptance rate: 16%

GPA: 3.7

GMAT: 650

Work experience required: Not required

MBA Application Requirements in Canada

MBA application requirements in Canada are all quite similar and standard for any graduate school program. MBA applications in Canada are typically submitted directly through the school’s application portal on the school’s website. Applications to business school in Canada usually require the following to meet minimum standards:

• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum GMAT score of 550
• Previous work experience
• A statement of purpose or MBA admission essays
• Letters of recommendation
• MBA admission interview
• English or French language proficiency test (required for some international students)

To get into the best MBA programs in Canada, the standards are raised a bit higher. Competitive candidates should aim to have a GPA of 3.5 and above, and a GMAT score of 650 or more. Many of the top programs also require at least 2 years of work experience on your MBA resume. Just like your bachelor’s degree, this work experience doesn’t need to be business-related, but it does help significantly if you have experience in management or business directly.

Aside from these academic standards, applicants to top Canadian business schools should also write a stellar personal statement or MBA letter of intent, ace the MBA interview and submit at least two letters of recommendation. Some MBA programs will ask for an MBA video essay in lieu of or along with your personal statement. Typically, you will need to submit a written essay, a video essay, your school transcripts and GMAT scores, and your letters of recommendation to secure the interview invitation. All these application components are important and carry weight in the admission committee’s evaluation decisions. Above all, every piece of your application should answer why do you want to pursue an MBA and why you are an ideal candidate for a top business school.

Writing an MBA statement of purpose? Check out this guide on how to write one.

International students applying for Canadian MBA programs

International students who want to study an MBA in Canada are in luck! All of the top MBA programs in Canada accept US and international students into their programs. As Canada is one of the top destinations in the world to get an MBA degree, the competition is high, but not impossible. International students or students applying from the US should note that while admission requirements are virtually the same as Canadian students, the application deadlines and timelines are frequently different. Many business schools accept students on a rolling admissions basis, and deadlines for international students are often earlier than domestic Canadian applicants, so its always best to apply as early as possible to ensure the best chance of getting a spot. Be sure to check the right business school website for important application dates and deadlines, as well as full admission requirements.

How to Get into the Best MBA Programs in Canada

Getting into the top MBA schools in Canada is not easy, even if you are a qualified candidate. Due to competition for space, you need to really make your application stand out and do everything you can to set yourself apart from other applicants. This is why every piece of your application package is crucial. You need to take every opportunity to convince the admissions committee that you are the best candidate and the right choice for the program. To give yourself the best chance of success, there are some tips and tricks you can use. Before you begin preparing the bulk of your application, here are some steps you can take to start out on the right foot to get accepted to a top MBA program in Canada.

Once you’ve decided on which MBA programs in Canada to apply to, done your research and taken the GMAT, the next challenge is completing the application package. You’ll need to submit your test scores, transcripts, and personal information, and then you’ll get to work. You’ll be writing an MBA personal statement, MBA resume, creating an MBA video essay and preparing for the MBA interview. Below we’ll look at some of our advice on tackling these final application sections so you can get accepted to the best MBA programs in Canada.

Need help with your MBA resume? Read this infographic guide to a killer MBA resume.

MBA interview

The MBA interview is critically important. If the rest of your application is strong, the admissions committee will invite you for an interview. Just like a job interview, acing it is the key to getting accepted to a business school. If you want to know how to prepare for an MBA interview, look into mock interviewing. Using mock interviews to practice MBA interview questions and your performance in the interview will help make professional interviews less intimidating, increase your confidence and ensure you give the right impression. MBA admission committees want to see if you are confident in a professional interview setting, so show them that you’ve already mastered one of the toughest professional tests by being well prepared to ace the interview.

Work experience

Many top MBA programs require a minimum amount of work experience to show that you’ve gained some professional skills. You won’t need to have experience in a particular field but having management experience is always a plus. Any work experience you have can be included in your application, even if there are gaps due to your studies. If you need to know how to explain gaps in an MBA resume during an admissions interview, its best to address any gaps directly and provide an explanation for them. Job experience is also a great way to secure some recommendation letters from employers, who can vouch for your professional skills and personal attributes. Read a sample MBA recommendation letter to get an idea of what information your referees should include in your letter.

MBA admissions essays

MBA admission essays come in many forms. Most often, you’ll be asked to write an MBA statement of purpose in response to a prompt or submit an MBA video essay detailing your background and motivation for pursuing an MBA. Your essay, whether in written or video form, needs to be detailed and well-crafted. Read an MBA motivation letter sample if you’re not sure where to start. You can also look up MBA essay questions and answers to find out what common essay prompts you might see so you can begin drafting your responses.

Your MBA admission essays share your personal achievements, attributes, and qualifications with the admissions committee, but they can also offset any weak spots in your application. For example, using an MBA letter of intent or MBA cover letter can be the answer to how to explain a low GPA in your MBA application. A letter of motivation or letter of intent are both useful in adding something extra to your application, especially if you need to get in front of any gaps or weaknesses. An MBA cover letter sample can show you how this document can introduce your application, address gaps and highlight any key points of your application.

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Please note: although we have made every effort to provide the most accurate information, admissions information changes frequently. Therefore, we encourage you to verify these details with the official university admissions office. You are responsible for your own results. BeMo does not endorse nor affiliate with any official universities, colleges, or test administrators and vice versa. If you see an error here, please notify us with the updated information, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of a BeMo ebook of your choosing! Please email us at [email protected] with any corrections, and we’ll arrange to send you your free ebook upon confirming the information.