Introducing ESCP Business School
As one of the world‘s first and most prestigious business schools, founded way back in 1819, ESCP Business School carries strong name recognition and prestige across Europe and beyond. Over 200 years later, it maintains its reputation for business education excellence.
With multiple urban campuses across Paris, London, Berlin, Madrid, Turin and Warsaw, ESCP continues expanding its global footprint. It attracts over 7,500 students from 120 different countries to its various undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs.
ESCP additionally holds the coveted "triple crown" of accreditations from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, cementing its status as a leading institution.
Just How Tough is Admission to ESCP‘s MBA Program?
While getting into ESCP Business School‘s specialized Masters and BBA programs remains highly competitive, securing a spot in its 2-year MBA program takes it to another level.
By the Numbers
- Acceptance rate: 20-25%
- Average GMAT score: 690
- Average GPA: 3.4 out of 4.0
- Average months of work experience: 60 (5 years)
These daunting benchmarks quantify just how stellar applicant profiles must be. With five applicants competing for every one admitted MBA candidate, standing out is no easy task.
Who Gets In?
Successful MBA applicants ultimately showcase a balancing act across merit factors admissions committees seek:
- Academic excellence – strong transcripts and test scores
- Leadership qualities – evidenced through work experience and activities
- Strategic vision – aligned with ESCP‘s values and program strengths
- Global outlook – through international exposure and open-mindedness
Applicants demonstrating this mix of capabilities and potential tend to catch the favorable eye of ESCP‘s admissions board.
How This Guide Will Help You
While ESCP‘s low MBA acceptance rate seems daunting, numerous candidates do succeed in securing admission annually. This comprehensive guide shares expert insights to help position you among them!
You‘ll learn about:
- ESCP MBA admission requirements
- Necessary application components
- What criteria admissions officers prioritize
- Vital tips to strengthen your candidacy
Let‘s get started!
ESCP MBA Admissions Requirements
First, what are the formal eligibility criteria to apply for ESCP‘s MBA program?
1. Earned Bachelor‘s Degree
An undergraduate degree in any major from an accredited university is required, with strong academic performance preferred.
2. GMAT or GRE Scores
Submitting GMAT scores above 650 or GRE scores above 155 is expected, with higher considered more competitive.
3. Professional Experience
A minimum of 3 years full-time work experience is required. Roles demonstrating leadership or management capabilities preferred.
4. English Fluency
Non-native speakers require TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7.0+, since ESCP‘s MBA program instruction is entirely in English.
What MBA Application Components Matter Most?
Beyond formal requirements, what specific elements make up ESCP‘s MBA application?
Transcripts
Official undergraduate transcripts allow assessment of academic consistency, course rigor and grade trends.
GMAT/GRE Scores
Standardized test performance provides an admissions benchmark for analytical reasoning and quantitative competence.
Average GMAT By Year
| 2022 | 690 |
| 2021 | 685 |
| 2020 | 680 |
Average GPA By Year
| 2022 | 3.42 |
| 2021 | 3.39 |
| 2020 | 3.35 |
Professional Resume
Your resume overview showcases career advancement, leadership scope and relevant responsibilities.
Admissions Essays
Essays reveal motivations, fit with ESCP‘s vision, communication abilities and strategic thinking.
"We look for essays highlighting self-awareness, intellectual curiosity and a global outlook." – ESCP Admissions Board
Recommendation Letters
References from employers or professors validate capabilities and vouch for potential.
Admissions Interviews
Interviews evaluate communication skills, critical thinking and overall demeanor and personality.
How Selective is the MBA Admission Process?
To demonstrate just how competitive securing an MBA admission offer from ESCP is, let‘s crunch key statistics.
By the Numbers
On average, across ESCP‘s six campuses:
- GMAT: 690 (90th percentile score)
- GPA: 3.4 out of 4.0
- Months of experience: 60
These averages showcase that admitted students already perform at exceptional levels academically and professionally before even applying.
Historical Acceptance Rates
Looking at acceptance data from past years provides helpful perspective.
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Acceptance Rate | 22% | 25% | 28% |
| Applicants | 4800 | 4350 | 3890 |
| Accepted | 1056 | 1088 | 1090 |
This table quantifies the increasing competition, with yearly applicant pools expanding while comparable numbers gain admission.
The Verdict?
Ultimately, the numbers speak for themselves – with acceptance hovering around 25% at best, ESCP‘s admissions bar sits exceptionally high, demanding remarkable candidates.
ESCP Admissions Officers Share What Impresses Them
What truly captures admissions officers‘ attention amid piles of exceptional applicants? Here is insider perspective:
Compelling Career Trajectories
"We look for candidates whose experience shows increasing initiative, responsibility and impact." – Marie, ESCP Admissions Director
Profiles demonstrating sustained leadership development and career acceleration particularly stand out.
Strategic Vision
"Articulating clear post-MBA career goals aligned with our program strengths grabs our interest." – Jean, ESCP Admissions Dean
Applicants who clearly convey why ESCP is the ideal stepping stone for their goals pique attention.
Genuine Personality
"We want candidates who authentically convey their personality, interests and values in essays and interviews." – Bruno, ESCP Adcom Member
Expressing your individuality and fit with ESCP‘s community culture scores additional points.
How Acceptance Rates Compare Across ESCP Campuses
With six locations across Europe, does securing MBA admission differ by campus?
Paris
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- International students: 76%
London
- Acceptance rate: 26%
- International students: 82%
Berlin
- Acceptance rate: 18%
- International students: 68%
As ESCP‘s original campus, Paris unsurprisingly draws most applicants. Berlin sees relatively less candidates, yet maintains high academic rigor.
The Verdict?
Admission generally remains around 25% across the board. Focus instead on campus culture fit and program offerings in your preferred city.
8 Expert Tips to Get Accepted Into the ESCP MBA Program
Equipped with deeper knowledge of ESCP Business School, their MBA admission standards and application considerations, what actions can you take to maximize admission chances?
Tip 1: Score 700+ on the GMAT
A GMAT score demonstrating 90th+ percentile performance helps your application leap off the page. Commit 6-12 months to study rigorously for this vital exam.
Tip 2: Secure Stellar Recommendations
Ask trusted mentors who intrinsically understand your capabilities to write meaningful endorsements conveying your leadership.
Tip 3: Choose Your Preferred Campus Strategically
Consider program specialties, language requirements and career networks across ESCP‘s six MBA locations in your selection.
Tip 4: Convey Multicultural Dexterity
With 120 nationalities on campus, expressing open-mindedness and cultural agility in essays strongly resonates.
Tip 5: Illustrate Career Ambition and Impact
Showcasing increasing professional responsibility and concrete business contributions emphasizes your leadership.
Tip 6: Practice Relentlessly for Interviews
From fine-tuning stories demonstrating desired qualities to predicting likely questions, rigorous preparation gets results.
Tip 7: Align Goals and Vision to ESCP
Customizing your pitch to ESCP‘s offerings and community demonstrates discernment admissions committees appreciate.
Tip 8: Maintain Consistent Academic Excellence
While past performance remains fixed, keep up outstanding results in ongoing studies showing sustained ambition.
Key Takeaways: Securing That Coveted ESCP MBA Acceptance
The bottom line?
While gaining admission into ESCP Business School‘s prestigious MBA program proves highly competitive, proactively addressing key admissions criteria with a customized strategy pays off.
Our inside guidance, from admissions statistics to officer perspectives to tips for strengthening your candidacy, equips you to curate an application that grabs attention.
Stay confident through each stage, highlight fit factors that set you apart, and convey your authentic personal vision.
With that recipe for success, an approval letter can land in your inbox soon enough!