Honors at Wayne State University
B Start
B Start is an innovative five-year program that guarantees admission to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the Wayne State University School of Business Administration. This program is only open to incoming freshmen.
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 Program. Students maintain their position in B Start and seat in the master’s program by fulfilling continuation criteria listed below.
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 Program
2100 Undergraduate Library
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
Continuation criteria
- Good standing and active membership in Honors Program.
- Maintain an overall 3.3 grade-point average.
- Register for one credit of directed study for B Start per semester.
- Attend one Economic Club luncheon per month.
- Attend taping of two Leaders on Leadership television program per semester.
- Volunteer for at least 25 hours during the year.
- 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 (24 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 programs 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.