This video guide is designed to provide you with the on-demand advice needed to determine if the Accelerated MBA is right for you and how to put together a great application and impress the admissions committee.
Important Notes:
- Applications are assessed on a rolling admissions basis
- The GMAT is not required for applying to the Accelerated MBA program
- Two to ten years of full-time work experience is required
Review the mandatory requirements for the Ivey Accelerated MBA program and better understand our ideal candidate.
The Accelerated MBA program is designed for professionals who hold an undergraduate degree in business or commerce, or those who have completed specific prerequisite courses, and have between two to ten years of work experience. This program is ideal for individuals currently living and working in Canada who are seeking to advance their careers by applying newly acquired knowledge directly to their current roles. It focuses on preparing candidates for their next promotion within their organization, making it a perfect fit for those looking to enhance their professional capacity rather than making a significant career change.
Ready to chat? Book a call
While straightforward, this is an important step to familiarize yourself with the application platform and provide you with a good opportunity to reflect on the journey ahead.
Application Activity: After completing this section, take a moment to pause and explore the Ivey Accelerated MBA Success Stories on our website. It’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on your own career journey and see how it aligns with the achievements of our accomplished alumni. This will not only inspire you but also give you valuable insights into how the program can elevate your professional growth!
Success Stories | Ivey Accelerated MBA Program for Business Graduates
How to leverage your work experience to optimize your application.
Application Activity: Your career journey has been shaped by the guidance and support of many people. Take a moment to reflect on those who have helped you along the way.
- Create a List: Write down the names of family members, friends, mentors, colleagues, or even your current boss—there are no limits on who you can include.
- Mark Your Progress: Place an “X” next to the individuals you’ve already spoken to about the Ivey Accelerated MBA program. Add a star next to those you believe would be valuable to talk to about your MBA goals and aspirations.
- Engage in Meaningful Conversations: When speaking to these individuals, share your vision for what you hope to achieve through the program and how you think it will impact your career moving forward.
- Incorporate Feedback: Listen carefully to their insights and advice. Use their feedback to reflect on and refine how you are thinking about your future and the role the Accelerated MBA can play in it.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach these discussions—what’s important is the dialogue itself and the opportunity to gain new perspectives from those who have been part of your journey.
The Accelerated MBA program is designed for professionals who hold an undergraduate degree in business or commerce, or those who have completed specific prerequisite courses, and have between two to ten years of work experience. This program is ideal for individuals currently living and working in Canada who are seeking to advance their careers by applying newly acquired knowledge directly to their current roles. It focuses on preparing candidates for their next promotion within their organization, making it a perfect fit for those looking to enhance their professional capacity rather than making a significant career change.
Ready to chat? Book a call
Application Activity: After completing this section, take a moment to pause and explore the Ivey Accelerated MBA Success Stories on our website. It’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on your own career journey and see how it aligns with the achievements of our accomplished alumni. This will not only inspire you but also give you valuable insights into how the program can elevate your professional growth!
Success Stories | Ivey Accelerated MBA Program for Business Graduates
Application Activity: Your career journey has been shaped by the guidance and support of many people. Take a moment to reflect on those who have helped you along the way.
- Create a List: Write down the names of family members, friends, mentors, colleagues, or even your current boss—there are no limits on who you can include.
- Mark Your Progress: Place an “X” next to the individuals you’ve already spoken to about the Ivey Accelerated MBA program. Add a star next to those you believe would be valuable to talk to about your MBA goals and aspirations.
- Engage in Meaningful Conversations: When speaking to these individuals, share your vision for what you hope to achieve through the program and how you think it will impact your career moving forward.
- Incorporate Feedback: Listen carefully to their insights and advice. Use their feedback to reflect on and refine how you are thinking about your future and the role the Accelerated MBA can play in it.
There’s no right or wrong way to approach these discussions—what’s important is the dialogue itself and the opportunity to gain new perspectives from those who have been part of your journey.
Focus on your undergraduate academic transcript and any professional designations you have achieved.
Application Activity: It’s time to take a crucial step in your application process. Email a digital copy of your transcript to your Recruitment and Admissions Advisor. As part of this, you’ll need to create a list of the highest-level courses you’ve completed for each of the pre-requisite subjects.
Here’s what to do:
Pause and Reflect: Can you recall the eight pre-requisite courses required for the program?
Your list should include the following pre-requisite courses:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Statistics
- Marketing
- Organizational Behaviour
- Operations
- Strategy
Compile Your List: For each pre-requisite course, provide the academic course code for the highest-level course you’ve completed, along with the final grade you received.
Email Your Admission Advisor: In your email, make sure to clearly list each pre-requisite course, the corresponding course code, and your grade. This will help your Admissions Advisor ensure that all requirements are met.
Take this opportunity to showcase your academic achievements and set the stage for the next step in your journey!
Upload documents the Admissions Committee will assess when making a decision about your application.
Application Activity: Once you’ve finished uploading your application documents, take a moment to dive deeper into the Ivey Accelerated MBA community. Head over to the Accelerated MBA homepage and explore the current class demographic profile.
As you review it, focus on the diversity within the cohort—notice the range of undergraduate institutions, industries, and job titles that shape this dynamic group of professionals. This is your chance to see how your background compares and to envision the unique contributions you'll bring to the program!
Demonstrate your alignment with the Ivey Accelerated MBA program and highlight your career success to date.
Application Activity – Preparing for Your Essays:
Before you dive into the essay section of your application, take some time over the next day or two to explore the Program Structure and Curriculum page on the Ivey Accelerated MBA website. This is a valuable resource to help you frame your responses and demonstrate alignment with the program.
Here’s what to focus on:
Envision Your Next Promotion: Think about the next step in your career within your current organization. What does that promotion look like? A clear vision of your future role will help you articulate how the Accelerated MBA can prepare you for more senior managerial and leadership positions, which is a key part of the program’s purpose.
Explore the Courses: Read through the 14 course descriptions listed under the program's three themes: Leadership Essentials, Innovation and Disruption, and Global Business. As you go through each description, reflect on your work experience and identify accomplishments, projects, or decisions you've made that connect with the content of the course. This will highlight where you can contribute to the case method classroom discussions.
Identify Areas for Growth: You may not have experience in every area, and that’s okay! Part of demonstrating alignment with the Accelerated MBA is recognizing where you need to develop. Identify the areas of knowledge development that will help you excel in your current role and prepare you for that next promotion. Consider what skills will be crucial for your success once you step into that higher-level position.
By clarifying your career goals, aligning your work experience with the program’s courses, and identifying your knowledge gaps, you’ll be well-prepared to craft compelling responses for both the written and video essay sections of your application.
Application Activity: It’s time to take a crucial step in your application process. Email a digital copy of your transcript to your Recruitment and Admissions Advisor. As part of this, you’ll need to create a list of the highest-level courses you’ve completed for each of the pre-requisite subjects.
Here’s what to do:
Pause and Reflect: Can you recall the eight pre-requisite courses required for the program?
Your list should include the following pre-requisite courses:
- Accounting
- Finance
- Economics
- Statistics
- Marketing
- Organizational Behaviour
- Operations
- Strategy
Compile Your List: For each pre-requisite course, provide the academic course code for the highest-level course you’ve completed, along with the final grade you received.
Email Your Admission Advisor: In your email, make sure to clearly list each pre-requisite course, the corresponding course code, and your grade. This will help your Admissions Advisor ensure that all requirements are met.
Take this opportunity to showcase your academic achievements and set the stage for the next step in your journey!
Application Activity: Once you’ve finished uploading your application documents, take a moment to dive deeper into the Ivey Accelerated MBA community. Head over to the Accelerated MBA homepage and explore the current class demographic profile.
As you review it, focus on the diversity within the cohort—notice the range of undergraduate institutions, industries, and job titles that shape this dynamic group of professionals. This is your chance to see how your background compares and to envision the unique contributions you'll bring to the program!
Application Activity – Preparing for Your Essays:
Before you dive into the essay section of your application, take some time over the next day or two to explore the Program Structure and Curriculum page on the Ivey Accelerated MBA website. This is a valuable resource to help you frame your responses and demonstrate alignment with the program.
Here’s what to focus on:
Envision Your Next Promotion: Think about the next step in your career within your current organization. What does that promotion look like? A clear vision of your future role will help you articulate how the Accelerated MBA can prepare you for more senior managerial and leadership positions, which is a key part of the program’s purpose.
Explore the Courses: Read through the 14 course descriptions listed under the program's three themes: Leadership Essentials, Innovation and Disruption, and Global Business. As you go through each description, reflect on your work experience and identify accomplishments, projects, or decisions you've made that connect with the content of the course. This will highlight where you can contribute to the case method classroom discussions.
Identify Areas for Growth: You may not have experience in every area, and that’s okay! Part of demonstrating alignment with the Accelerated MBA is recognizing where you need to develop. Identify the areas of knowledge development that will help you excel in your current role and prepare you for that next promotion. Consider what skills will be crucial for your success once you step into that higher-level position.
By clarifying your career goals, aligning your work experience with the program’s courses, and identifying your knowledge gaps, you’ll be well-prepared to craft compelling responses for both the written and video essay sections of your application.
Learn about the references required for your Ivey Accelerated MBA application.
Application Activity – Engaging with Your References:
Having thoughtful conversations with your references—especially your current manager—is a crucial step in your application process for the Accelerated MBA. It’s important to discuss why you want to pursue the program and the exciting opportunities it can unlock for your career, particularly within your organization.
If you haven’t had these conversations yet, now is the perfect time to start. To help guide these discussions, download the Accelerated MBA Corporate Sponsorship brochure. This will give you valuable talking points about how the program is designed to help motivated professionals like you advance to the next level.
Take 5–10 minutes right now to:
- Download the brochure
- Make a list of who will serve as your references
- Map out your plan to talk to them about your MBA aspirations and how this program will support your career growth.
Getting your references on board is a key part of showcasing your commitment to the Accelerated MBA and your future success!
*Remember – one of your references should be your current manager
Help Ivey with programming and EDI efforts as we can be proactively responsive to the needs of the students who make up our community.
Why Self-Identification Data Collection Matters:
Ivey collects self-identification data to support our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). This helps us understand and address barriers faced by under-represented groups, ensuring fair access to our programs.
Participation is optional, and selecting “I prefer not to answer” will not affect your application in any way. This data helps us better serve our diverse community.
Learn what happens after you submit your Ivey Accelerated MBA application.
Submit Your Application: Now that all sections are complete, click "Submit" to finalize your application. Here's what happens next:
The Interview: If eligible, you will be invited to a 45-minute online interview with a member of the Recruitment and Admissions team. This is your chance to connect your work experience, career goals, and how the Accelerated MBA will help you succeed in future roles.
The Decision: After the interview, the Admissions Committee will review your application. Expect to receive a decision within 2 to 3 weeks.
Recap: You've been guided through the process to ensure your application reflects your goals and readiness for the Accelerated MBA. Your effort and attention to detail are appreciated as you take this next step in your career journey!
Application Activity – Engaging with Your References:
Having thoughtful conversations with your references—especially your current manager—is a crucial step in your application process for the Accelerated MBA. It’s important to discuss why you want to pursue the program and the exciting opportunities it can unlock for your career, particularly within your organization.
If you haven’t had these conversations yet, now is the perfect time to start. To help guide these discussions, download the Accelerated MBA Corporate Sponsorship brochure. This will give you valuable talking points about how the program is designed to help motivated professionals like you advance to the next level.
Take 5–10 minutes right now to:
- Download the brochure
- Make a list of who will serve as your references
- Map out your plan to talk to them about your MBA aspirations and how this program will support your career growth.
Getting your references on board is a key part of showcasing your commitment to the Accelerated MBA and your future success!
*Remember – one of your references should be your current manager
Why Self-Identification Data Collection Matters:
Ivey collects self-identification data to support our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). This helps us understand and address barriers faced by under-represented groups, ensuring fair access to our programs.
Participation is optional, and selecting “I prefer not to answer” will not affect your application in any way. This data helps us better serve our diverse community.
Submit Your Application: Now that all sections are complete, click "Submit" to finalize your application. Here's what happens next:
The Interview: If eligible, you will be invited to a 45-minute online interview with a member of the Recruitment and Admissions team. This is your chance to connect your work experience, career goals, and how the Accelerated MBA will help you succeed in future roles.
The Decision: After the interview, the Admissions Committee will review your application. Expect to receive a decision within 2 to 3 weeks.
Recap: You've been guided through the process to ensure your application reflects your goals and readiness for the Accelerated MBA. Your effort and attention to detail are appreciated as you take this next step in your career journey!