MBA Admissions

The MBA/MS Admissions Committee's decision to admit an Evening MBA or Weekend MBA applicant is based on an evaluation of the candidate's potential to be successful in the graduate business program, his or her ability to contribute to the perspective of the class, and Smith's ability to accommodate a limited number of students. The Smith School of Business only admits applicants for the fall semester.

There are several factors that the MBA/MS Admissions Committee considers when evaluating an applicant to the program:

Professional Work Experience. While work experience is not an absolute requirement for admission, it gives applicants an important edge in the admission process. A solid background of several years of work experience strengthens an applicant's profile and makes him or her more competitive in the job market upon graduation. An application is not complete unless it contains the applicant's resume.

Undergraduate Academic Record. The Admissions Committee searches for applicants who demonstrate a strong undergraduate academic record. While approximately 33 percent of new MBA students come from a business undergraduate degree, applicants with all types of undergraduate and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Undergraduate grade point averages for admitted students normally range from 2.90 to 4.00, while the majority have averages above 3.00. Any graduate coursework will be taken into account in the admissions process, but the common denominator for all applicants is still the undergraduate grade point average.

A complete application packet must include an official transcript from each college or university attended. Transcripts for any course work at the University of Maryland at College Park need not be sent since they will be retrieved directly from the registrar.

Graduate Admission Test (GMAT). Although cut-off scores are not implemented in the admission process, it is expected that the applicant will show a good deal of promise through the GMAT score. GMAT scores typically range from the mid-500s through the upper-700s. Applicants interested in learning more about the GMAT can contact the Graduate Management Admissions Council.

Contact www.mba.com to request an official copy of your test scores to be sent to the University of Maryland at College Park institutional code SQTN826.

Two Letters of Recommendation. Recommendations should be solicited from individuals who can objectively comment on an applicant's performance in an academic or professional environment.

Well-Written Essays. The Admissions Committee looks for essays that clearly and concisely answer each question. Be sure to check for spelling and grammatical errors. There is not one correct answer, and the Committee isn't searching for any particular answer.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The University of Maryland at College Park requires any applicant who has not completed a university degree in a country in which English is the principal language (such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand) to take the TOEFL.

All applicants must comply by this policy regardless of citizenship status, number of years residing in the United States, and language of instruction of his or her university. When requesting that official scores be sent, please refer to the University of Maryland institutional code 5814.

 

  

Also see:

Deadlines

Quantitative Preparation

Application Information

Special Notes For
International Applicants

Helpful Tips

 

Application Check List

• Application

• $60 non-refundable
application fee

• Résumé

• An official copy of undergraduate transcript(s)
and graduate transcript(s), if applicable

• Photocopy of unofficial
GMAT score
(Official results sent by GMAC)

• Two letters of
recommendation

• Essays

• Additional requirements for international students:

• Photocopy of TOEFL score. (Official results sent by ETS)

• Financial Certification Form and supporting documents