Admissions International Academic Student Life Careers Financial Aid Minneapolis/St. Paul Admissions Q: What qualifications do I need to apply? Q: What if I can't take the GMAT by 2-3 weeks before the application deadline? Q: What if my GPA or GMAT score is low? Are there other aspects you look at which will increase my chances for admission? Q: Do you require an admissions interview? Q: Is there provisional admission? Q: What are the minimum required scores for the GMAT and GPA? Q: What type of work experience does the Admissions Committee look for? Q: Does the Admissions Committee prefer certain undergraduate majors, or recommend certain undergraduate courses? Q: Who serves on the Admissions Committee? Q: What are the application deadlines? Q: What is the ratio of acceptance to the number of applications? Q: Does the Admissions Committee review the applications on a rolling basis? Q: Can offers of admission be deferred to another term? Q: What if my application is denied? Is there anything I can do to improve my chances? What is the procedure for re-application? Q: If my circumstances change and the Full-Time MBA Program is no longer feasible, could I enter the Part-Time MBA Program? Q: Can I start the Part-Time MBA Program in the Spring and then switch to the Full Time MBA Program in the following Fall? Back to top International Q: Are there additional requirements for international applicants? Q: I have been living and working in the United States for several years, am a permanent resident, but did not complete the minimum course work in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or Canada to be waived from taking the TOEFL exam. Can I get an exception to this requirement? Q: I have a green card. Am I considered an international or a domestic applicant in terms of the application fees? Q: Does the Carlson School have any special support program for international students? Back to top Academic Q: Would you recommend that I take any course work before entering your MBA program? Q: How much time do I need to allow outside of the classroom for homework? Q: What teaching method is used? Q: Can core courses be waived? Q: Is the program highly quantitative? Q: Are there opportunities for international study? Q: Are students permitted to take courses from other programs at the University? Q: When does the program start? Back to top Student Life Q: How many students are in the Full-Time MBA program? Q: How do I learn more about student activities and clubs? Q: Are there resources at the Carlson School and the University of Minnesota for students of color? Back to top Careers Q: What companies recruit at Carlson? Back to top Financial Aid Q: What are my alternatives for financial aid? Q: How much are tuition and fees? Back to top Minneapolis/St. Paul Q: What is the local culture like? Q: What type of recreational activities are there to enjoy? Q: What is the weather like in the Twin Cities? Back to top Admissions Q: What qualifications do I need to apply? A: GMAT test results and the equivalent of an accredited United States bachelor's degree. In general, first degrees requiring less than four years of education are not considered equivalent, and holders of these degrees must complete an additional higher degree to be considered for admission. For further information on international credentials, click here. Back to top Q: What if I can't take the GMAT by 2-3 weeks before the application deadline? A: We require all materials, including test scores, to be submitted before we review an application. If your scores arrive after an application deadline, we may hold your application until the next deadline. Back to top Q: What if my GPA or GMAT score is low? Are there other aspects you look at which will increase my chances for admission? A: We look at every aspect of your application. The GPA and GMAT score indicate your academic abilities. If your GPA is lower, a higher GMAT score will help give us an indication of how well you might perform in the program. If you take the GMAT again to improve the score, we will consider the highest score. Aspects such as your work experience, essays, and professional recommendations are also very important in the admission decision, but these aspects will not replace our concern that you experience academic success in our extremely rigorous program. Back to top Q: Do you require an admissions interview? A: Our admissions team will invite candidates to interview at the Carlson School of Management. If you are unable to visit campus for an interview, please contact our office about alternate arrangements. Back to top Q: Is there provisional admission? A: No. Q: What are the minimum required scores for the GMAT and GPA? A: We do not have minimum scores. We do not use formulas. We look at and evaluate all parts of the application. Back to top Q: What type of work experience does the Admissions Committee look for? A: The Admissions Committee strongly recommends that applicants to the Full-Time Program have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience. On average, our incoming students have about five years of work experience and have demonstrated progression in their careers through job promotions and by taking on increasing levels of responsibility. Back to top Q: Does the Admissions Committee prefer certain undergraduate majors, or recommend certain undergraduate courses? A: The Admissions Committee encourages persons with any undergraduate major to apply to the Carlson School. Preference is not given to certain majors. Back to top Q: Who serves on the Admissions Committee? A: The Director of Admissions, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions, and three Associate Directors have primary responsibility for reviewing all applicants to the Full-Time MBA program. The Assistant Dean for the Full-Time MBA program will also assist in the review of applications. Back to top Q: What are the application deadlines? A: International, 12/1 and 2/1; Domestic, 12/1, 2/1, and 4/1. Admission is only offered for Fall Semester. Early application is recommended for scholarships. Back to top Q: What is the ratio of acceptance to the number of applications? A: Approximately 33% of full-time applicants are admitted, and about 110 students enroll each year. Back to top Q: Does the Admissions Committee review the applications on a rolling basis? A: No. Applications are reviewed in a batch process. All applications received before a particular deadline are reviewed together, and decisions for those applications are mailed at the same time. For example, applicants who submit their applications for the first round deadline will have their decision letters mailed the second week of February. Back to top Q: Can offers of admission be deferred to another term? A: Yes. A deferral can be requested for one year from the student's original term of acceptance. Admission is not automatically guaranteed. The application is put back into the applicant pool for the term in which deferral has been requested and again reviewed on its merits with other applicants in that pool. Another application fee is required. Submission of updated materials is recommended. Back to top Q: What if my application is denied? Is there anything I can do to improve my chances? What is the procedure for re-application? A: We will keep your application on file for 2 years. During that time, you may send us a letter requesting review close to subsequent deadlines. If you are able to improve upon any weak aspects of your application (i.e. more work experience, higher GMAT score, further course work, improved essays), please indicate what you will be submitting in this letter. Back to top Q: If my circumstances change and the Full-Time MBA Program is no longer feasible, could I enter the Part-Time MBA Program? A: The Part-Time MBA Program has a separate admission process, and you will need to write an official letter requesting that your application be reviewed for the Part-Time MBA Program. The deadline for the same Fall entry is June 1, so you will need to make a decision by that date. To get further information from the Part-Time MBA Program, call 612.626.7900. Back to top Q: Can I start the Part-Time MBA program in the Spring and then switch to the Full Time MBA program in the following Fall? A: No. The Full-Time MBA program is cohorted for the first semester into an integrated core curriculum, meaning that the same students work in groups across several courses. The Part-Time MBA program is designed to be more flexible. Back to top International Q: Are there additional requirements for international applicants? A: Yes, we require international students to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If English is not your native language, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper) or 240 (computer) that is no more than two years old is required. If you attended one year of graduate school or completed the last two years of your bachelor's degree in the US or another country where English is the native language, you do not need to take the TOEFL exam. While you do not need proof when you apply, in order to apply for a student visa you will need proof of sufficient finances for 12 months of study once you have been admitted. Back to top Q: I have been living and working in the United States for several years, am a permanent resident, but did not complete the minimum course work in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or Canada to be waived from taking the TOEFL exam. Can I get an exception to this requirement? A: If English is not your native language, this requirement will not, and cannot be waived. We know that there are certain countries in which the language of instruction is English (i.e. India), but this does not prove to us your English language capability. The TOEFL test is now computer-based and is offered frequently. To register for the TOEFL, please see the following web site: http://www.toefl.org/. Back to top Q: I have a green card. Am I considered an international or a domestic applicant in terms of the application fees? A: Only if you hold the green card and have a US bachelors degree will you be able to pay the lower application fee. If we need to process visa application papers for you and/or review any international credentials, you will need to pay the higher international fee. Back to top Q: Does the Carlson School have any special support program for international students? A: Yes. International MBA students meet weekly with a language and cross-cultural communication consultant to help them with academic and cultural concerns. In addition, classes are offered to help international students with their business writing and public speaking skills. The MBAA Association has an International Committee which plans social and coultural events for international and domestic students, and GLOBE, the international business club, encourages international students to become involved with their events on campus. Back to top Academic Q: Would you recommend that I take any course work before entering your MBA program? A: If you do not have an extensive quantitative background from your undergraduate degree, it may be helpful for you to take an introductory statistics or business calculus course to help prepare you for the program. Some incoming students who have never studied accounting find it useful to take an introductory undergraduate accounting course before entering the program as well. International students whose native language is not English are encouraged to practice their written and spoken English as much as possible before entering the program. Back to top Q: How much time do I need to allow outside of the classroom for homework? A: The general rule of thumb is that you will spend two times the amount of class time on assigned readings and team projects outside of the classroom. This means approximately 5-6 hours per class per week. Back to top Q: What teaching method is used? A: The Carlson School uses a variety of teaching methods, including case studies (over 50%), lectures, discussions, group projects, and programs placing students in the business community. Back to top Q: Can core courses be waived? A: Core courses cannot be waived in the Full-Time MBA Program without special permission from a faculty member after being admitted into the program. If a student has substantial background in Accounting and Statistics, these courses can be substituted with electives. Back to top Q: Is the program highly quantitative? A: Students must be able to handle quantitative material. Several core courses are very quantitative in nature. On a national level, the Carlson School is more in the middle of the scale on quantitative vs. non-quantitative programs. Back to top Q: Are there opportunities for international study? A: There are several 2-15 week opportunities with top business schools throughout the world. For details about these programs, please visit the International Programs page. Back to top Q: Are students permitted to take courses from other programs at the University? A: Yes. If the courses enhance your academic career goals, you are permitted to take up to 8 graduate-level credits from other departments within the University of Minnesota. Back to top Q: When does the program start? A: Typically, you should be settled in Minnesota in early August, when we hold Orientation for incoming Full-Time MBA students. Back to top Student Life Q: How many students are in the Full-Time MBA program? A: About 240 students are enrolled. Back to top Q: How do I learn more about student activities and clubs? A: You can make initial contact with the MBA Association to express your interest, and they will help get you involved. Examples include the Marketing Network, Consulting Club, Innoventures, High-Tech Club, Finance Club, Operations Club, International Club, Graduate Women in Business, Net Impact, Microfinance Alliance, and Volunteer Consultants. Back to top Q: Are there resources at the Carlson School and the University of Minnesota for students of color? A: Yes. Carlson has active chapters of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) and the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA). Carlson students attend the national conference sponsored by each organization on an annual basis. The Carlson School is one of five business schools to employ a Director of Diversity Initiatives. For more details about resources for students of color, please click here. Back to top Careers Q: What companies recruit at Carlson? A: You should consult the Graduate Business Career Center for a complete list, but the most frequent hirers are 3M, Honeywell, Guidant, Medtronic, Deloitte, Northwest Airlines, Ecolab, H.B. Fuller, Kimberly Clark, General Mills, Target Corporation, Best Buy, and Toro. Companies outside of the Twin Cities include E.J. Gallo, Intel, Nestlé, Johnson and Johnson, Qwest, UBS Warburg, Phillip Morris, Lehman Brothers, and Morgan Stanley. Remember, the Twin Cities is located in a strong, diverse business community featuring twenty Fortune 500 companies, and many students decide to remain here because of the quality of life. With that comes what seems to be a lower average salary, but the cost of living is lower, and an $80,000 salary here is equivalent to a $135,000 salary in San Francisco or Manhattan. Back to top Financial Aid Q: What are my alternatives for financial aid? A: All domestic and international applicants for the Full-Time MBA program will be considered for Carlson School Scholarships, and are also eligible for company and individual scholarships and graduate assistantships that require special applications. Graduate Assistantships are generally only available to second-year MBA students. Private and federal loans are also available, with international students requiring a US co-signer. For more information about applying for need-based financial aid, please visit OneStop. Back to top Q: How much are tuition and fees? A: Please refer to our Tuition / Financial Aid pages. Back to top Minneapolis/St. Paul Q: What is the local culture like? A: The Twin Cities are nationally known as one of the cultural centers of the United States - second only to New York in live theaters. They have the distinction of being cultural capitals and beautiful, clean cities. Minnesota is ranked as one of the top talent markets. The world famous Guthrie Theater, Ordway Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, and the Minnesota Orchestra are all conveniently located. On the West Bank itself where the Carlson School is located, there are several experimental theatres such as Theatre in the Round, Southern Theatre and Mixed Blood Theatre. There is diversity with 90 repertory and dinner theaters, 136 art galleries, 21 music companies, 15 museums and 9 dance companies. In addition, the Twin Cities offers a lively music scene which has spawned such diverse talents as Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Prince, Michael Johnson, and the Replacements. Up-and-coming competitors keep the local clubs active. Comedy clubs are also very lively in the Twin Cities. There are nearly a dozen comedy venues and Minnesota offers more seating for comedy lovers than New York or Los Angeles. Back to top Q: What type of recreational activities are there to enjoy? A: In the Twin Cities, there are over 900 lakes, 40 marinas, three major rivers, six regional parks, 105 golf courses, 25 ski areas, 210 public tennis courts, 54 miles of parkways and paved trails that wind through the city and suburbs. In addition to the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, sports fans can enjoy Vikings football, Twins baseball, Wild hockey, and Timberwolves basketball. Minnesota's seasons provide a multitude of recreational opportunities. Furthermore, the world-famous Mall of America is located about 30 minutes away from campus. Back to top Q: What is the weather like in the Twin Cities? A: There are four distinct seasons. The warmest days usually occur in July, with an average high of 83 degrees F. Temperatures can get above 90 degrees F. The coldest days occur in January; the 100 year average low is 3.2 degrees F. Snowfall averages 40 inches per year; the heaviest snowfall is in March. Snow removal is immediate, and the University of Minnesota rarely closes. The Twin Cities has one of the best levels of air quality among US metropolitan areas of more than one million people. Back to top