Business schools only have a small number of seats available, and the top schools receive five times as many applications as they have room for in the program. Studying a second language gives you something that you can put on your resume, and it will help when you work with people speaking that language. If you’re interested in working for a global company, being bilingual can help you land a job, but putting that second language on your resume might not help you get a spot in business school or an MBA program.
The Global Market
According to Annsonita Robinson, only 32 percent of businesses in Europe use English for business-related needs. If you want to work for a company that does international business, you might find that your second language is helpful. You can converse with clients, read business journals and understand what people say during meetings. The only problem is that those companies often look for students from countries in Europe. They want workers who understand the importance of local customs and traditions, which isn’t something you can learn in business school. Even companies based in the United States might look for international workers instead of American workers with a second language on their resume. If you do want to study a second language, opt for Mandarin, Spanish or another international language frequently used in the business world.
Being Bilingual Isn’t a Sure Thing
While you might love conversing in a second language, your skills won’t help you find a spot in business school. MBA programs in the United States use English, and those interested in the program must have English language skills. Students applying for open spots must pass a test that ensures they are fluent in English. Business schools look at a number of factors when considering its applicants. While being fluent in a second language won’t help you land a spot, you can do other things to increase your chances of acceptance.
Get Your Grades Up
One of the first things that graduate schools look at is the transcript of each applicant. Most schools require a minimum grade point average of 3.0, which equates to a B grade in each class. Some schools will deny your application because of a few poor grades in business classes. If you have the chance, retake the classes where you scored the lowest. Not only will that increase your GPA, but your school should replace the lower grade on your official transcript.
Gain More Experience
Business schools that offer MBA programs typically look at the experiences of applicants. Working a full-time job or even a part-time job during college can help you show your time management skills and devotion to the field, but you also need to show that you have other interests outside of business. Schools often choose candidates with volunteer work and extracurricular activities on their records. Volunteering for a community organization or taking part in student government can help you more than a second language can.
With millions of people applying for MBA programs every year, you need to show that you are special. Speaking a second language might help you find your dream job after graduation, but it won’t necessarily help you with your business school application. Getting your grades up and gaining more experience is more helpful.