University Relations
http://www.umn.edu/urelate
612-624-6868
http://www.umn.edu/urelate
612-624-6868
Full-Time MBA FAQs
Admissions
International
Academic
Student Life
Careers
Financial Aid
Minneapolis/St. Paul
Q: What qualifications do I need in order 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 that 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?
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?
Academic
Q: Do 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?
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?
Careers
Q: What companies recruit at Carlson?
Financial Aid
Q: What are my alternatives for financial aid?
Q: How much are tuition and fees?
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?
Admissions
Q: What qualifications do I need to apply?
A: All applicants must have 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.
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.
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 our main concern is whether you will be able to experience academic success in our extremely rigorous program.
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 us about alternate arrangements.
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 and do not use formulas. We look at and evaluate all parts of the application.
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.
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.
Q: Who serves on the Admissions Committee?
A: The director of admissions, senior associate director of admissions, and three associate directors review all applicants to the Full-Time MBA program. The assistant dean for the Full-Time MBA program also assists in the review of applications.
Q: What are the application deadlines?
A: The deadlines for international applicants are 12/1 and 2/1. Domestic deadlines are 12/1, 2/1, and 4/1. Admission is only offered for fall semester. Early application is recommended for scholarships.
Q: What is the ratio of acceptance to the number of applications?
A: Approximately 33% of Full-Time MBA applicants are admitted, and about 110 students enroll each year.
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 applications for the first-round deadline will have decision letters mailed the second week of February.
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.
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, close to a subsequent deadline, you may send us a letter requesting a review. If you can improve upon any aspect of your application (i.e. more work experience, higher GMAT score, further course work, improved essays), please indicate what you will be submitting.
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.
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. The same students work in groups across several courses. The Part-Time MBA program is more flexible.
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 U.S. or another country where English is the native language, you do not need to take the TOEFL exam.
Once you have been admitted, you will need proof of sufficient finances for 12 months of study in order to apply for a student visa.
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 cannot be waived. We know that there are certain countries in which the language of instruction is English (e.g., India), but this does not prove your English language capability. The computer-based TOEFL test is offered frequently.
Q: I have a green card. Am I considered an international or a domestic applicant in terms of the application fees?
A:You can pay the lower application fee only if you hold the green card and have a U.S. bachelor's degree. If we need to process visa application papers and/or review any international credentials, you must pay the higher international fee.
Q: Does the Carlson School have any special support program for international students?
A: Carlson MBA international students have full access to the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at the University of Minnesota. ISSS is fully dedicated to serving the University of Minnesota's international student community. Its mission is to use all available resources to help international students and scholars successfully accomplish the goals that brought them to the University.
ISSS staff members are professionally trained to provide information and counseling to foreign nationals about academic, immigration, legal, career, financial, personal and family issues, as well as issues of cross-cultural adjustment and professional integration upon returning to home countries.
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 to take an introductory statistics or business calculus course to prepare 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. We encourage international students whose native language is not English to practice their written and spoken English as much as possible before entering the program.
Q: How much time do I need to allow outside of the classroom for homework?
A: The general rule 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.
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.
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, and only after a student has been admitted to the program. If a student has a substantial background in accounting and statistics, these courses can be substituted with electives.
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 in the middle of the scale when it comes to quantitative vs. non-quantitative programs.
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 Education Abroad Programs page.
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.
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.
Student Life
Q: How many students are in the Full-Time MBA program?
A: About 240 students are enrolled.
Q: How do I learn more about student activities and clubs?
A: Contact the MBA Association -- they can help get you involved. Examples of clubs include the Marketing Network, Consulting Club, Ventures Plus, Finance Club, Operations & Supply Chain Club, International Affairs Committee, National Association of Women MBAs, Net Impact, Microfinance Alliance, and Volunteer Consultants.&Supply Chain Club, International Affairs Committee, National Association of Women MBAs, Net Impact, Microfinance Alliance, and Volunteer Consultants.
Careers
Q: What companies recruit at Carlson?
A: Consult the Graduate Business Career Center for a complete list. 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.
Financial Aid
Q: What are my alternatives for financial aid?
A: All domestic and international applicants for the Full-Time MBA program are considered for Carlson School scholarships. You 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. International students need a U.S. co-signer.
Q: How much are tuition and fees?
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
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Minneapolis/St. Paul
Q: What is the local culture like?
A: The Twin Cities is known as one of the cultural centers of the United States - only New York has more live theaters. Minneapolis and St. Paul are 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, where the Carlson School is located, there are several experimental theatres, such as Theatre in the Round, Southern Theatre, and Mixed Blood Theatre. The metro area's diversity is reflected in its 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 that 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.
Q: What type of recreational activities are there to enjoy?
A: In the Twin Cities, there are more than 900 lakes, 40 marinas, 3 major rivers, 6 regional parks, 105 golf courses, 25 ski areas, 210 public tennis courts, and 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. And the world-famous Mall of America is located about 30 minutes away from campus.
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, with the heaviest snowfall 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 U.S. metropolitan areas of more than one million people.