There are more women in the MBA pipeline from China than from anywhere else in the world. Although GMAT testing is down worldwide, the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) reported that 16,431 women in China took the GMAT in 2023, representing a whopping 67% of all Chinese GMAT testers. By comparison, 8,345 women from India (representing 34% of the Indian testing pool) and 7,742 women from the United States (representing 36% of the US testing pool) took the GMAT in 2023.
Additionally, the mean GMAT test scores from Chinese women consistently have been very strong.
What does this mean if you are a female from China with your eyes set on a top MBA program? A strong GMAT score alone will not get you accepted. In fact, your GMAT score (or GRE score if you choose this route) almost certainly needs to be higher than the class average for your dream school. So, no matter how great your test score is, it is only the beginning of a compelling application. Here are eight tips to help increase your odds of success:
1. Demonstrate strong communication skills.
The ability to communicate fluently and fluidly in English is essential to success in the MBA classroom and in recruiting. MBA programs will assess your communication skills through your essays, supplemental video interviews, any emails you send them, and—hopefully—an interview.
Your TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score must match your ability to speak, understand, and write English as demonstrated during all your interactions with business schools. Consider joining a group like Toastmasters to help improve your communication skills. If you are not speaking English regularly, join an online community where you can engage with native English speakers. Keep a journal to capture your experiences and accomplishments while practicing your writing.
2. Impress with your professional experience.
In my prior experience evaluating Chinese applicants for UNC Kenan-Flagler’s MBA program, and in my current work coaching MBA candidates, I have seen an impressive depth of experience from female Chinese applicants. For example, I have worked with PhD holders doing leading-edge biotech work, entrepreneurs addressing climate issues in China, and consultants working for elite firms. Although the depth of their experience came out in our conversations, it was not always presented on their resume as ideally as possible. Culturally, it can be uncomfortable to “toot your own horn,” but MBA programs want to see the specific impact of your work. Therefore, emphasize your ability to drive results by providing direct metrics and examples on your resume.
3. Highlight leadership and teamwork skills.
Review your professional and extracurricular activities through a lens of impact. How have your professional assignments contributed to the overall success of the organization? Can you demonstrate that you have built effective teams? Business schools select candidates who have demonstrated the potential to become senior leaders and look for early signs of this through leadership examples and the ability to work well with others. Seek opportunities to join professional committees at work and take on leadership roles in extracurricular activities.
4. Be assertive in creating connections.
Building a relationship with an MBA program during the application process is an important way to get to know a school and for the school to get to know you. Even if you cannot travel to visit a school on campus, there are many ways to meaningfully engage with your target MBA programs. You can attend MBA fairs and school-specific events/webinars, reach out to local alumni, and connect with club officers related to your interests.
You may be able to meet representatives from some of your target MBA programs when they travel around the world over the next few months. Check each program’s summer event schedule to see where your schools of interest are hosting events; if they are within a reasonable distance to you, consider attending them. For example, Stanford GSB is hosting an event in Taipei City, Taiwan, on July 8th. In addition, The MBA Tour has events scheduled over the new few months in Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Seoul, as well as other locations in this region. Check in advance with your target schools and The MBA Tour website to see which MBA programs will be sending representatives to these events.
Most MBA programs list their ambassadors on their website, and you can find people with similar professional aspirations to connect with to learn more about their MBA experience. You can also connect with people in affinity clubs, such as Asian or Chinese business clubs, since these members were in your position not too long ago. In addition to on-campus clubs, consider making connections with in-country alumni groups for your target schools, as they can be another way to learn about the strength of each school’s network within China.
5. Select strong recommenders.
When I worked on the admissions side, one of the strongest recommendation letters I ever read was written in support of a female Chinese applicant; it was a highly effective part of her overall application. Although it might be tempting to choose recommenders with a big title or an MBA degree, US MBA programs value recommenders who can speak to the quality of your work. Therefore, it is most important to select recommenders who have worked with you directly. Ideally, your recommender has strong writing skills and can provide details on your ability to lead, build strong teams, and deliver exceptional business results. If your supervisor is more comfortable writing the recommendation in their native language, ask each MBA program about having the recommendation translated.
6. Find programs looking for more women.
MBA programs have made significant strides in female business school representation. Women constitute 50% of Wharton’s 2025 class, 48% of Northwestern Kellogg’s 2025 class, 46% of Stanford GSB’s 2025 class, 45% of Harvard’s 2025 class, and 45% of Duke Fuqua’s 2025 class. MBA programs with lower percentages of women are likely looking for ways to add more talented women to their class.
7. Research programs that best fit your needs.
Look beyond all the hype and rankings. Dig into the specific details of each school to determine which programs will provide the best environment and resources for you. If you are changing industries, look for programs with strong experiential learning opportunities through which you could test your newly acquired skills and knowledge. In addition, research the career support provided for international students. For example, UCLA Anderson’s Parker Career Management Center offers excellent career coaching for international students. Students from China can encounter some of the biggest career challenges due to language and cultural nuances, so it’s crucial to find an MBA program that offers strong career support.
8. Seek support.
None of this is easy—especially if you do not have experience working or going to school in the United States. Seek coaching from a trusted advisor who understands the challenges international students face in the competitive MBA admissions process, such as one of our Stratus Admissions Counselors. Sign up for a free consultation today!