Apply to the Full-Time MSBA

Upload a copy of your resume. The purpose of this document is to provide a snapshot of your education and professional achievements in your career. Use a standard (i.e. Times New Roman or Arial), 12-pt. font for your 1-2 page resume.

Pro Tip: It is important to include month and year for starting and ending dates for each position held. If this key information is not included, we will ask for an updated resume, which may delay your application.

Education Requirements

Students are required to hold a four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution and be competent in these areas:

• General mathematics including calculus and linear algebra
• Basic statistical concepts and methods
• Basic programming in any modern language

Though our standards are high and our admissions process is competitive, it is also holistic. We consider all aspects of an applicant’s background and experience.

Transcripts

You will upload transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate programs you have attended or are attending. These may be copies of transcripts that you already have in your possession. However, these cannot be web transcripts. A web transcript is anything obtained from an online student portal, downloaded from your student record, or retrieved online.

Transcripts uploaded during the application process are considered “unofficial.” What makes a transcript "unofficial" is that you have it in your possession instead of us receiving it in a sealed, stamped envelope directly from your university.

Pro Tip: View a sample of a web transcript that you should avoid submitting.

All candidates are required to upload legible, scanned/digitized copies of their unofficial transcripts and degree certificates which include the following:

• University Transcripts: All transcripts are copies of actual university transcripts (not web transcripts), usually on watermarked paper with a seal, etc.
• Degree Name: If you earned a degree, the name is on the transcript (i.e. Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, etc.).
• Degree Conferral Date: If you earned a degree, the date the degree was awarded is on the transcript.
• Degree Certificate: If you earned a degree and the degree name/conferral date are not on the transcript, you must upload a copy of your degree certificate which includes this information. This cannot be a provisional certificate; it must be final. Still unsure what to submit? See sample degree certificates.
• Grading Scale: Include for every university so we know what the grades mean. Often on the back of the transcript; otherwise, contact the university to obtain. Still unsure what to submit? See sample grading scales.
• Official Translation: If the transcript is not in English, upload both the transcript in the original language and the official translated copy so that we can read it.

Pro Tip: If your uploaded transcript doesn’t include all the required information, we will need to contact you to send the missing items, and your application may be delayed.

Pro Tip: Official transcripts (those sent directly by the degree-granting institution) are not required during the application process. Should you be admitted, you will be required to submit official transcripts later.

We accept both in-person and online versions of the GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS.

Once we receive the official score, we will update your application checklist accordingly.

Request that the official score is sent to us using the following instructions:

GMAT:

• Full-Time MSBA: 69H-XH-31
• Part-Time MSBA: 69H-XH-43

GRE Program Code: Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business: 4883

Pro Tip: GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years and must be valid at the time you submit your application.

Pro Tip: If you have taken the GMAT or GRE more than once, report the highest overall score from any one testing date when completing the online application.

Our MSBA is focused on the success of our students in the classroom and in employment outcomes. The application process allows us to assess the readiness of candidates and provide guidance in improving future academic and career outcomes.

We believe standardized exams are one way that business programs gauge academic readiness; however while many Full-Time MSBA applicants will submit a GMAT/GRE/EA score, we also recognize there are multiple ways to demonstrate academic readiness. This is the reason we offer a test waiver option for Full-Time MSBA applicants.

Here is some guidance on our test waiver option:

• Waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
• Waivers are evaluated on the basis of academic readiness for the MSBA program.
• If you are granted a waiver by the Admission Committee, it does not signal admission to the Tepper MSBA program.
• The admission decision will be based on a holistic review of the application.
• Even if you are granted a waiver, the admissions committee may require or recommend additional academic preparation prior to the start of the program that will improve your academic outcomes.
• Applying with a test waiver will not affect your eligibility for scholarship.

Upon submission of your application, the waiver request will be reviewed, and you will receive a response to the waiver request via email within 10 business days of the application deadline. Please note, only complete applications will be reviewed for test waivers.

Candidates are required to demonstrate a level of competence in English to meet the admissions requirements of the university. You are required to take a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exam unless:

• You attended an undergraduate institution, earning a bachelor’s degree, where the sole language of instruction was English.
• You earned a graduate degree where the sole language of instruction was English. (Although not required, we do recommend that you take the English Language Proficiency exam.

You must request that the official score be sent from the testing agency to our program for us to verify the score entered into the application. Request that the official score be sent to us using the following codes:

• TOEFL Program Code: Institutional Code = 2074; Organization: Carnegie Mellon University, Graduate Business Organization
  • Pro Tip: The recommended TOEFL score is 25 on each section of the Internet-based test. Reading: 25, Listening: 25, Speaking: 25, Writing: 25
• IELTS Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon and the Tepper School of Business
  • Pro Tip: The recommended IELTS score is 7 overall and 7 in each band. Listening: 7, Reading: 7, Writing: 7, Speaking: 7, Overall Band: 7
• Duolingo Program Code: Select Carnegie Mellon University – Tepper School of Business
  • Pro Tip: The recommended Duolingo English Test (DET) score is 120 overall

Pro Tip: TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years and must be valid at the time you submit your application.

Pro Tip: If you earned a degree from a non-U.S. institution, your academic documents should state that the sole language of instruction for the entire university was English in order to be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo waiver. If your academic documents don’t include this, you should upload an official letter from the University Registrar indicating English as the mode of instruction for the entirety of the degree.

There is one required essay (maximum 500 words) for all Tepper MSBA applicants. You are now able to choose which essay question resonates most with you and how you can present your best application. Please choose 1 of the following 2 questions. We do not have a preference on which question you answer. Here are the 2 options:

1. At Tepper, we value leaders who can make confident decisions when facing complexity and uncertainty. Tell us about a time when you had to take action without having all of the answers. How did you navigate the situation and what was the outcome?
   
   OR
    
2. The Tepper School of Business is committed to helping students reach their full potential by supporting their professional and personal transformation. How do you hope to transform, both professionally and personally, during your time in the program? Please describe your development goals and steps you plan to achieve them.

There also is an optional essay for additional information about your candidacy that you may wish to share with the admissions committee. Use this essay to convey important information that you may not have otherwise been able to convey. This may include unexplained resume gaps, context for recommender selection, etc. However, do not feel obligated to complete the optional essay.

New for the Fall 2023 application cycle is a required video essay to discuss your post-MSBA goals.

We know this is an important component of your decision to attend business school. We take it seriously as well. Please describe your post-MSBA career goals.

It would be helpful to consider the following information in your response:

• You have up to 2 minutes to respond to this question.
• Please be as specific as possible. If you have not yet identified specific companies, that is okay. Just tell us what interests you for your next role or company. What about the industry, company, or functional role is appealing to you?
• If you have any criteria you are using to evaluate career opportunities, please share those as well. We may have great opportunities to add to your list.
• How does this post-MSBA career goal relate to your long-term career plan?

We require just one recommendation. Ideally, you would pick a supervisor (current or previous), however, anyone who can speak to your professional work experience in detail would be appropriate.

We use the GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation (LOR). The Common LOR is intended to save you and your recommender valuable time by providing a single set of recommendation questions for each participating school. This allows your recommender to use the same answers for multiple letter submissions, alleviating the workload of having to answer different questions for each school multiple times. You benefit because it makes the ask for several different letters to be written on your behalf much easier.

A $125 application fee is required of all applicants. This fee can be paid online using a credit card at the time of submission.

Once you have completed your online application, if you have any supporting documents, they should be uploaded directly to your application via your application status page in the application portal.

If you have submitted all the application components, it isn’t necessary to send anything else to us at this point. Upon admission, you’ll need to send your official transcripts/academic documents. These details will be included in the admission letter, so no need to worry about it now.

Following submission of your application, you may be invited to interview with a member of our MSBA Admissions team. Our evaluative interviews are by invitation only and are required.

We begin to invite applicants to interview within one week of the application deadline. However, you may receive an invitation any time prior to the decision notification date.

How We Conduct Admissions Interviews

At the Tepper School, the Admissions team conducts behavioral interviews. The behavioral interview technique is used to review a candidate’s specific experiences and behaviors in an attempt to predict his or her potential for success at the Tepper School.

We are particularly interested in learning about candidates' skills and perspectives on teamwork, leadership, success, and failure. To prepare, we suggest that you:

• Reflect on and clarify your short-term goals and your transition plan.
• Think about specific questions related to how you might advance toward your future goals.
• Identify specific examples when you have worked in a team, led a team, were challenged, succeeded, or learned something new.

We welcome applicants from around the globe and encourage non-U.S. citizens to apply to the Tepper School MSBA program.

If you are an international candidate, please see below for important information related to studying in the United States.

Certification of Financial Resources

As an applicant from a foreign country, you will be required to verify financial resources equal to the total cost of tuition and living expenses for the duration of the program. If admitted, students will be required to submit the following forms with appropriate supporting documentation in order to obtain a valid visa for entering the United States.

Graduate Student Financial Statement including official documentation such as personal bank statements and letters of support from any sponsoring organizations.

If sponsored by an employer or other third party, an Affidavit of Support including official documentation such as bank statements and verification of sponsor support.

Visa Regulations

Visa regulations can be quite complex, and it is the applicant’s responsibility to be aware of the regulations. Carnegie Mellon University has a foreign student advisor to assist applicants in visa matters, and we strongly recommend that you use this service.

The contact information for any applicant who would like to contact our foreign student advisor is:

Office of International Education
Carnegie Mellon University
Cyert Hall, First Floor Atrium
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
412-268-5231
Email: oie@andrew.cmu.edu

The United States' visa-granting authority in the country of origin, ordinarily the United States Embassy, requires proof that sufficient funds are available to a student to cover both years of study before he/she is granted either the student visa (F-1) or an exchange visa (J-1).