LBS MBA Acceptance Rate:
How Hard Is It to Get In and How to Stand Out?
London Business School (LBS) is arguably the most reputed business school in Europe. Every year, thousands of high-potential applicants from around the world apply to LBS. If you are considering applying to their full-time MBA program, you might be wondering – how hard is it really to get in? What are your chances, and how can you set yourself apart from the competition? In this post, I am going to break down LBS MBA acceptance rate, and address all these questions to help you build an outstanding application.
LBS MBA Acceptance Rate
While LBS does not publicly release data on their acceptance rates, it is estimated that the acceptance rate for their full-time MBA program is between 20% to 25%. This means that out of every 100 applicants, only 20 – 25 are accepted. As you can see, this is highly competitive, which is not surprising given the popularity of LBS as a global business school. Add to this the fact that most applicants to LBS are highly accomplished, it becomes clear how selective they are.
Why Is It So Competitive?
There are a few reasons why LBS is so competitive:
1. Global Applicant Pool
The first reason why LBS is so competitive is the diversity of applicants it attracts. About 90% of their student body consists of international candidates, coming from more than 65 countries. While this translates into a highly diverse, dynamic, and multicultural learning environment, it also implies that you will be competing with highly skilled candidates from all over the world.
2. Academic and Professional Excellence
In general, the applicants that get into LBS have shown strong academic performance in undergraduate studies, and complement it with high test scores. The average GMAT score of LBS full-time MBA class is around 700. In addition, they have many years of impactful work experience which often includes global exposure, leadership roles, or entrepreneurial experience.
3. Well-Rounded Profiles
The admissions committee at LBS is looking for future business leaders, not just great managers. They value versatility in varied functions. So, it is not enough if you are a finance expert or a tech genius. You should be able to demonstrate leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and a global mindset.
4. Fit and Contribution to the LBS Community
LBS wants students who will thrive in its unique academic and cultural environment. The adcom expects you to contribute to your cohort inside and outside the classroom through their student clubs.
Besides, they expect applicants to know why LBS is the right fit for their career aspirations. To be successful, you should be able to demonstrate alignment with your goals and the value you will bring to the program, and how you will take advantage of its London location, and leverage its global modules.
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What Does LBS Look for in Its Candidates?
According to the school’s website, LBS looks for candidates who demonstrate:
- Academic and analytical ability
- Leadership potential
- Strong career progression
- International exposure/global outlook
- Interpersonal skills
- A clear sense of purpose and goals
How to Stand Out in the LBS Application Process?
Here are five ways to make your application stand-out:
1. Craft a Compelling Career Story
It is essential that your application conveys a coherent narrative. Make sure you connect your past experience with your future aspirations, and explain how an MBA from LBS fits into this picture. Also explain which aspects of the program align with your goals making it the best fit for you.
Talk about specific aspects of the program like electives, projects, and clubs that align with your goals, like the LondonCAP project, or how the flexible 15, 18, or 21-month MBA option suits your needs.
Explain why being in London is necessary or a great advantage for your planned career path, especially if your post-MBA target industry is in consulting, finance, tech, or entrepreneurship.
2. Showcase Global Exposure and Adaptability
LBS values international experience and cross-cultural exposure. If you have lived, studied, or volunteered abroad, or if you worked in international markets/projects/teams, make sure that you highlight them to showcase your cross-cultural collaboration and adaptability.
In case you don’t have such experiences, you can still showcase a global mindset through language skills, cultural awareness, or interactions with international clients.
Stress on how the diversity of the LBS experience is essential to your transformation and demonstrate that you are invested in the process.
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3. Demonstrate Community Engagement
LBS cares about your leadership potential beyond work. They want active contributors that will engage with the vibrant LBS community. Talk about clubs, initiatives, events, or DEI efforts that you want to contribute to. A few popular clubs are Out in Business (LGBTQ+), Women in Business, and Tech & Media Club.
Research existing student groups and think about how you can add value. It is a great advantage if you have already been actively engaged in any of the related causes in the past. Make sure you pick a few such causes and talk about how you want to continue contributing to them at LBS. An example would be how you plan to contribute to LBS PE/VC Conference or the Women in Business Conference if they align with your goals.
4. Ace the Essays and the Interview
Make sure that you write authentic and personalized essays that convey your motivation, vision, values, and fit with the school. Avoid generic answers that either focus solely on your achievements or are aimed at pandering to the adcom. Be specific about the reasons for choosing LBS; focus on the program’s offerings that align with your goals.
LBS interviews are conducted by alumni, generally those with similar background as the applicant. The interview usually focuses on your story, leadership style, and fit with the program. LBS interviews are mostly conversational, usually lasting between 60 and 90 minutes. Practice your answers aloud to ensure alignment with your essays.
In addition, research your interviewer and spend time considering what questions you can ask them towards the end of the interview; remember that an interview is an opportunity for you to learn from the first-hand experience of an alumnus.
5. Get Strong, Personalized Recommendations
Getting strong and authentic recommendations is crucial for your success. Choose recommenders who know you well and can speak to your leadership, initiative, and interpersonal strengths. LBS places a lot of weight on this part of the application.
Titles do not matter as much as authenticity and strength of the recommendation. A strong recommendation from someone that closely worked with you, like your supervisor, is of more value than a vague reference from a C suite executive.
Inform your recommenders well in advance of your plan to apply to LBS. Remind them of key projects or contributions if needed. Make sure they use plenty of anecdotes from their experience of working with you to support their claims in the recommendations. And finally, ensure that the recommendations are submitted well in time.
Final Thoughts
While LBS is one of the toughest B schools to get into, it is also one of the most reputed and valued in the world. The school’s rigorous selection process ensures that only the best make it through, which means that you will be surrounded by talented, ambitious peers who elevate your learning experience and network.
To maximize your chances of getting into LBS, invest time in crafting a thoughtful application that reflects who you are and what value you can add to the class. Focus on authenticity, clarity, and impact.
With the right strategy and preparation, you can turn a competitive process into a compelling opportunity.
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