How to Get Into the SDA Bocconi MBA: What Actually Works

Below are the statistics of test scores.

GMAT Classic Edition: 665 average

Your test score matters, but SDA Bocconi emphasizes a holistic review rather than a hard cutoff approach. The school does not publish a strict minimum, but candidates are encouraged to aim above 650 on the classic GMAT or 595 on the Focus Edition. Test scores are one of several evaluation criteria, and a score within or slightly below the average can work if the rest of your profile is exceptional. What matters is that you demonstrate the quantitative rigor needed for the accelerated one-year curriculum while showing that your profile brings something distinctive to the cohort.

SDA Bocconi's admissions committee is looking for candidates with proven leadership potential, real-world business acumen, and a global mindset. They want to see evidence that you operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and that you have delivered tangible results in your professional role. The school explicitly values collaboration, diversity, and an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. Your application must convince them that you will not just succeed academically but that you will actively contribute to the classroom discussion, challenge your peers, and build meaningful relationships across the cohort. The committee asks itself: Does this person demonstrate the kind of strategic thinking and self-awareness that will allow them to get the most from a one-year intensive program?

The admissions committee looks beyond grades and test scores to understand your potential for growth and impact. They examine your career decisions, how you have responded to setbacks, whether you have sought out mentorship and development, and what your genuine aspirations are. Your application materials should tell a coherent story about where you have been, why you are applying now, and what you plan to do after graduation. The video pre-interview and professional references matter because they reveal how you actually work with others, not just how you describe yourself. The school prioritizes applicants from underrepresented geographies and sectors because it believes a truly global cohort produces richer discussions and better prepares everyone for international careers.

Admitted students arrive with an average of 5.5 years of professional experience, with the typical candidate in their late twenties to early thirties. The class represents 37 different countries, with roughly 21 percent from Italy, 25 percent from Latin America, 19 percent from Asia and Oceania, 14 percent from other European countries, 13 percent from North America, and 8 percent from Africa and the Middle East. About 44 percent studied economics as undergraduates, 31 percent studied engineering, with the remaining 25 percent split across law, sciences, and humanities. Undergraduate major matters far less than your ability to think analytically and your track record of delivery in a professional setting. The school actively seeks diversity across industries, functions, and geographies because it knows that a cohort with varied backgrounds produces better learning outcomes.

In terms of professional backgrounds, roughly 20 percent of the class comes from finance or industry (banking, investment management, corporate finance roles), while 19 percent come from consulting and professional services (strategy consulting, Big Three firms, boutique advisories). Another 10 percent each come from advertising, media, and digital services, and from healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The remaining 40 percent represent technology, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, luxury and fashion, telecommunications, government, non-profit, and other sectors. This diversity is intentional, SDA Bocconi does not seek a consulting or finance-heavy cohort the way some other European business schools do. If you come from a traditional MBA feeder background like management consulting, you will have peers in similar roles, but you will also encounter people from completely different industries who bring fresh perspectives to case discussions and projects.

Your essays are one of the most important tools you have to differentiate yourself because they are where your voice, your thinking, and your authentic motivation come through in a way that test scores and resume bullet points cannot capture. SDA Bocconi asks you to respond to specific prompts that require you to reflect on who you are, why you want an MBA, and what you will contribute to the program. With 146 students in the class and hundreds of applicants with similar profiles, your essays are often the deciding factor between admission and rejection. An applicant with a 650 GMAT and a compelling essay that demonstrates deep knowledge of the school and clear career reasoning can beat out an applicant with a 680 GMAT who writes generically about wanting to go to business school and advance their career without specificity or genuine engagement.

Strong essays show that you have done your research, that you understand what makes SDA Bocconi different from other European business schools, and that your ambitions are grounded in real professional experience and self-awareness. Rather than simply listing reasons you want to go to Milan or mentioning the school's prestigious ranking, effective essays tell a personal story that explains your career inflection point and connect specific program elements like concentrations, professors, clubs, or teaching methodologies to your goals. Essays that reveal vulnerability, that acknowledge your weaknesses alongside your strengths, and that demonstrate how you learn from failure tend to resonate more than perfect, polished prose that tells the admissions committee what you think they want to hear. Write about your genuine motivations, avoid clichés, and give them a sense of who you are beyond your job title.

You should check out the how to write the SDA Bocconi MBA essays article to see details on how to write the SDA Bocconi essays.

Your resume should document your impact in concrete, quantifiable terms rather than listing job responsibilities. Instead of saying "managed a team," write "led a team of six across two geographies to deliver a cost reduction initiative that saved €2.1 million annually". Every bullet point should answer the question: What did you accomplish, and how do you know? Use numbers whenever possible, whether those are budget figures, team size, revenue impact, process improvements, customer retention rates, or timeline acceleration. SDA Bocconi reviewers see hundreds of resumes, so yours must stand out for the substance of what you have actually done. Your resume should also tell a story of progression; the admissions committee wants to see evidence that you have grown in responsibility, taken on increasingly complex challenges, and moved closer to your stated post-MBA goals.

Keep your resume to one page if possible, though two pages is acceptable if your experience truly warrants it. Use consistent formatting, clear job titles, and strong action verbs. Avoid buzzwords like "synergy," "thought leader," or "best-in-class" and instead use precise language: launched, negotiated, optimized, transformed, accelerated, analyzed. Your resume will be the only document in front of your interviewer if you advance to that stage, so make sure every line is something you can discuss in depth with confidence and enthusiasm. If you have held the same role for several years, show how your responsibilities have evolved or how you have taken on progressively larger mandates. If you have changed jobs, show the logical progression toward your MBA goals. Your resume is not your life story; it is a strategic document designed to convince an admissions officer that you are someone worth investing in.

SDA Bocconi requires two professional letters of reference, ideally from current or recent supervisors who have directly observed your work. These referees should be able to speak credibly about your performance, your strengths, and your potential. Brief your referees beforehand by sharing your MBA goals, key accomplishments you want highlighted, and the type of role or industry you are targeting after graduation. This context helps them write a more targeted, compelling letter rather than generic praise. If your direct supervisor is unaware of your MBA plans or if your company has a strict policy against providing references, you can use a senior colleague, mentor, or previous supervisor who has worked closely with you, though a current supervisor is always preferred.

The most valuable references go beyond saying you are great at your job to explain how you compare to other high performers, what feedback you have responded to, and how you work with others. A strong reference provides specific examples of your problem-solving approach, your leadership style, and moments when you showed integrity or took initiative under pressure. If your referee seems pressed for time, offer to provide a one-page summary of your background, key wins, and MBA aspirations to make their job easier. Also, let them know the deadline and confirm they are comfortable submitting before they commit. A thoughtful reference from someone who knows you well and can speak credibly to your potential will carry far more weight than a letter from someone prestigious but distant.

If you are invited to interview, you are in a strong position because roughly half of those who interview are ultimately admitted. SDA Bocconi interviews are conversational and conducted by admissions staff or occasionally by alumni, and your interviewer will have only your resume in front of them, not your essays. Expect the interview to last 40 to 60 minutes and to focus on your background, your motivation for the MBA, why SDA Bocconi specifically, and how you will contribute to the cohort. Be prepared to walk through your resume in detail, discussing not just what you did but why you made certain career decisions and what you learned from your experiences. Have clear, concise answers ready for why you want an MBA now, why this school is right for you, and what your post-MBA goals are, but avoid sounding rehearsed.

Successful interview candidates do extensive preparation but remain genuine and flexible in conversation. Research the school thoroughly so that when you are asked why SDA Bocconi, you can reference specific faculty, programs, concentrations, or aspects of Milan's business environment that align with your goals. Practice the STAR method for behavioral questions, but do not simply recite prepared answers. Instead, use interview prep to internalize your stories so that you can speak naturally and adjust your response based on what the interviewer seems most curious about. Ask thoughtful questions back about the interviewer's experience, about the culture of the program, or about how the MBA has shaped their career. Remember that the interview is as much about fit as about competence, and authenticity matters more than perfection.

SDA Bocconi is the right choice if you are energized by a truly international, one-year program in a vibrant European city, want strong placement in consulting and luxury brands, and seek a school that values practical learning and cultural diversity. The program is excellent if you want to stay in Europe for your MBA and career, appreciate a rigorous but accessible curriculum, and see the MBA as a career accelerator rather than a complete pivot. The school also works well if you are drawn to Milan's business ecosystem, want exposure to fashion and luxury management, or need the flexibility of a shorter program because of financial or personal constraints. However, SDA Bocconi may not be right for you if you are set on working in the United States after graduation (the school has weaker US recruitment), if you want a program with massive scale and name recognition in Asia, or if you are seeking an MBA program in an English-speaking country. Choose SDA Bocconi because you genuinely believe it will help you achieve your specific goals and because you are excited about the city, the cohort, and the learning experience itself.