B Start
B Start is an innovative five-year that guarantees admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the Wayne State University School of Business Administration. This program — open only to incoming freshmen — allows participants to complete bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration in just five years.
Highly competitive, B Start trains future leaders in business by emphasizing mentoring and research opportunities with business school faculty.
Undergraduates in B Start are Honors students and must meet the requirements set forth by the Honors College. Students maintain their position in B Start and seat in the master’s by fulfilling continuation criteria listed below.
Highly competitive, B Start trains future leaders in business by emphasizing mentoring and research opportunities with business school faculty.
Undergraduates in B Start are Honors students and must meet the requirements set forth by the Honors College. Students maintain their position in B Start and seat in the master’s by fulfilling continuation criteria listed below.
Please contact Nancy Galster at ngalster@wayne.edu or (313) 577-3030 for more information.
Minimum requirements
Minimum requirements
- Grade-point average of 3.50 (recalculated, including weighting for advanced placement/honors classes).
- Submit ACT scores.
- Explanation of experience in:
- Business
- Community service
- Team activities
- Leadership
- High school extracurricular activities
- Summer activities
- Submission of a one-page typed essay describing why you are pursuing B Start and why you should be accepted.
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One from a high school teacher, counselor, or administrator familiar with your extracurricular activities, team, or leadership skills; and
- One from a non-family member who can address your business experience, community service, or employment.
How to apply
Your application package to Honors must include:
- Admission to Wayne State University by Jan. 15 (apply online at admissions.wayne.edu)
- Completed B Start application (download application)
- Submission of high school transcript
- Submission of ACT scores
- Indication of a 3.5 grade-point average on application
- Details of honors received in high school
- Provide a one-page essay, “Why Pursue B Start” and explain why you should be accepted
- Explanation of experience in areas listed in “minimum requirements”
- Letters of recommendation as listed in “minimum requirements”
Application deadline
All items must be submitted by March 15 to:
B Start
Honors College
2100 Undergraduate Library
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
Continuation criteria
- Good standing and active membership in Honors College.
- Maintain an overall 3.3 grade-point average.
- Register for one credit of directed study for B Start per semester.
- Volunteer each month in a community service effort.
- Hold a leadership position in a student organization each year following freshman year.
- Keep written journal of experiences in B Start.
- Graduate with University Honors (36 credit hours of Honors coursework, including a senior thesis and senior seminar).
- Complete WSU undergraduate degree in:
- Business, with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average in core courses; or
- Any major with a minor in business administration with a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average
- Submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT).
- Participation in designated s in the School of Business Administration.
- Demonstrate continuing activity in volunteer work related to business.
For more details about B Start, call Honors at (313) 577-3030.