Michigan State University MBA: Explore Admissions & Aid

Full-Time 21-Month MBA
The Broad School seeks applications from highly motivated individuals seeking to be part of a team-based MBA program. The Broad MBA Program welcomes applications from college graduates in all fields. Admission to the program is granted to students who appear well-suited for management careers based upon academic ability, maturity, motivation, leadership and communication skills, as well as personal and professional accomplishments.

The traditional 21-month MBA starts in August and ends in May two years later. Classes take place on the Michigan State University campus in East Lansing during the day with some evening and weekend commitments. All students are expected to pursue a professional internship opportunity that usually takes place during the summer in between the first and second years of the program. This internship allows for the candidate to develop work experience related to their area of study and to refine and polish professional skills.

The Broad School offers a Weekend MBA and an Executive MBA. The Weekend MBA is a 17-month weekend program designed for working professionals with at least 4 years of post-undergraduate work experience. The program is offered at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development next to MSU's East Lansing campus. The Executive MBA is a 21-month evening program that prepares managers with significant work experience for executive leadership. This program is offered at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy, Michigan.

Why is full time, post undergraduate work experience necessary?
There are two main reasons for this. Without work experience, the relevancy of the course material will be minimal. In order for you to enhance your knowledge and be effective in your future career, you need to be able to relate concepts to prior work experiences. Second, in the Broad School's team based learning approach, your work experience will enable you to be an asset for your team in dealing with projects and assignments. It will make you a strong contributor, while your other teammate's backgrounds enhance your experience.

What if I don't have full time post undergraduate work experience?
If you are just graduating from your undergraduate program, you can still apply for the Broad Full-Time MBA Program here at Michigan State University. We do select a very small number of applicants each year. Successful applicants without post-undergraduate work experience possess the following in their applications: Strong undergraduate GPA, solid GMAT score, demonstrated leadership in and out of the classroom, community involvement, maturity, a clear goal set, and at least 1 undergraduate summer internship.

Is there one part of the application, like the GMAT, that is more important?
All pieces of the application package are equally evaluated. The GMAT, undergraduate transcript, resume, essays, letters of recommendation, and the interview, if granted, are all evaluated closely to judge the applicant. No one part of the application is more important than the other.

What do you look for in a resume?
What we look for in a resume is a career progression. Whether with the same firm, or with several different organizations, we look at progression in job responsibilities and skills sets. We also want to see not only a description of what the candidate performed at each job, but also how the candidate contributed to the organization to advance or improve it.

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Can I begin the MBA program in the Spring semester?
No. Due to our integrated curriculum, we only admit students to the fall semester (August semester) each year.

Can I transfer credits from another MBA program, or from courses taken at other schools, and reduce the time required to complete your program?
We require all students to complete our full two-year program in its entirety. We do not accept transfer credit, either to reduce the overall number of credit hours needed to graduate or to fulfill specific courses required for the program.

What is the size of the typical incoming MBA class?
Typically, the Broad MBA Program enrolls a class of approximately 100 students each year. Over your MBA experience, you will have an opportunity to network with approximately 300 students (approximately 100 in the second year class during your first year and then another 100 who will be in the first year class during your final year).

What is the format of the 21-month MBA?
The 21-month MBA program follows a traditional academic calendar. Students begin the program in mid- to late-August and complete their first year of studies in the spring of the following year. Our flexible curriculum allows first-year students to choose detailed courses in their concentration areas, just in time to apply their new knowledge to summer internships. During the summer, a majority of the MBA students work as interns with leading corporations and consulting firms. Elective courses are continued during the second year and graduation occurs in early May.

How do you evaluate candidates for admission to the Broad MBA Program?
Each applicant is evaluated as an individual. Ultimately, the Admissions Committee assesses how each applicant fits with the strategic goals of the MBA Program. To assess this fit, we study the following: academic record; GMAT results; TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international candidates only); work experience (both quantity and quality); personal and professional accomplishments; personal essays; letters of recommendation; and an invitation-only, evaluative interview.

Is there a minimum GMAT score I need to apply for admission?
While we do not have a minimum GMAT score, our median score is 640. Remember that this means that 50% scored below this mark, and 50% scored above, and that GMAT alone does not guarantee or deny admission to the program.

What are your English Language test requirements (International students only)?
The Broad MBA requires all non-native speakers of the English language to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
Candidates should achieve scores at or above the Broad MBA minimums: TOEFL iBT: 100, TOEFL CBT: 250, and IELTS: average score of 7. Candidates who score below these minimums are not accepted.
Valid test scores must be received with the application for admission packet. Packets without the test scores will be considered incomplete and not reviewed until the score is provided.
Candidates who hold a degree from a U.S. university or college are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants, who have completed a degree from an institution where English was the primary language of instruction, may request a waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS. To request a waiver, please submit a written waiver request with the application for admission. This request must accompany evidence or proof of language instruction. Such proof includes documentation on the degree transcript or a letter from the institution on official letterhead.

Can I waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement?
International students who have graduated from a U.S. or English speaking university may submit a request with the application for admission to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Please note: proof of the mode/method of instruction is required for consideration.

What if I have taken the GMAT or TOEFL/IELTS more than once?
If an applicant takes the GMAT or TOEFL/IELTS more than once, the Admissions Committee will evaluate only the highest score reported (provided that all scores reported are still valid). The Broad MBA Program does not average multiple scores.

Can I apply with the GRE instead of the GMAT?
No. The GMAT is required for all applicants to the Broad MBA Program. We do not consider GRE scores for admission at this time.

Is there a particular type of work experience that will make me competitive for admission?
In addition to quantity of work experience, quality of experience is also closely scrutinized, with an emphasis on the following criteria: professional career progression, teamwork and leadership experience, and quantifiable business results or achievements.

Do I need to have previous business work experience?
No. Many of our best MBA candidates have work experience from a variety of fields, including technical and service oriented professions. We have had engineers, teachers, computer scientists, authors, entrepreneurs, chemists, lawyers, political aides, biologists, and even former professional athletes enter and successfully complete the Broad MBA Program.

What if I only have a couple of years of work experience but I feel I have done some great work?
We encourage you to apply! Remember, we seek at least 24 months of post-undergraduate work experience. This experience should include evidence of career progression, teamwork and leadership, and quantifiable business results.

Does co-op or internship experience count toward the professional work experience requirement?
No. However, it is still a positive factor toward admission, and a strong co-op experience or professional internship can certainly add to a candidate's overall profile. On your resume, as you would for a normal position, be sure to demonstrate your contributions to the organization, not just your roles and responsibilities.

Are applicants less competitive if they do not have a business degree?
No. Many Broad MBAs have not had business courses prior to entering the program. The curriculum is structured to accommodate students from all educational backgrounds. On average, 48% of our class is made up of students with a business background; 33% with a science or engineering background; and 19% with a background in the social sciences or the liberal arts (data from the Class of 2009).

Can I transfer into your MBA program?
No. The Broad MBA Program does not admit any student who has previously attended an MBA program (or equivalent) at another school. A total of 57 credits must be completed at The Broad School to earn an MBA from Michigan State University.

Can I attend your MBA Program if I already have an MBA?
No. The Broad MBA Program does not admit any student who has previously earned an MBA degree (or equivalent) from another school.

What are your pre-enrollment requirements?
Prior to the start of classes, each incoming student is required to have background knowledge in accounting, mathematics, and statistics. If an admitted student does not have background knowledge in these areas, then the student should plan to complete the accounting, mathematics, and/or statistics course or courses at community college or accredited university.

Do I need a computer?
Yes. All MBA students are required to own a laptop computer prior to the start of classes. There are several wireless hot spots located around the Business Complex, in the Gast Business Library, and the Owen Graduate Center.
To enhance the learning environment and to prepare students for a technology-based work environment, the Broad MBA Program is committed to integrating computer skills into the classroom. Each MBA core course is tied into an online learning management system called ANGEL. With ANGEL, students find course lectures, handouts, solution sets, email options, discussion servers, class profiles and other links. In addition, the MBA Career Services Center uses a web-based system, eRecruiting, to schedule interviews and to manage all student and company recruitment information.

Will I have an opportunity to study abroad?
Yes. At The Broad School, MBA students are highly encouraged to take advantage of the global learning opportunities available to them. In addition to the international topics offered as part of the curriculum and a global student population, we also provide opportunities for a unique dual-degree program with the Thunderbird School, study abroad trips, formal exchange programs, and international assignments.

What opportunities will I have to study a language?
Broad MBAs who take advantage of the block tuition structure can pursue elective courses in the foreign languages or other areas of interest. The block tuition structure gives students the option to pursue additional business electives or electives in other fields of interest at MSU without having to pay for extra credits. Additional opportunities exist within the Broad MBA Program for exposure to other languages and cultures: participate in an international trip; mingle with our uniquely global student population; or enroll for an international business class.

How can I apply to the Broad MBA Program?
Click here and follow the Apply On-line! Link. Follow the directions in our online application system. Once you establish your username and password to your account, you can access your application anytime you like up until the time you submit. The application fee is $85.00. All application information can be submitted online, including your letters of recommendation. Supporting documents that are not completed online, such as transcripts, can be mailed to MBA Admissions, 215 Eppley Center, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824.
Once we receive the mailed documents, we will process them with the rest of your completed online application.

When is the best time to apply?
The Broad MBA Program uses the batch admissions (or admission by rounds) process. By following this process, the number of seats available in our MBA class decreases as the admissions year goes on and selectivity increases. For these reasons, the Admissions Committee encourages all applicants to apply as early as possible. Applying early will ensure that you maximize your competitiveness for admission and for scholarships/graduate assistantships.

How long after applying will I receive an admission decision?
Typically, applicants can expect a decision within 30 days of submitting a complete application and finishing the invitation-only, evaluative interview.
Note: Incomplete applications can lengthen the usual processing time. Additionally, heavy application flow during certain periods of time can necessitate a longer processing time. Please understand that calls just to "check the status" of an application also lengthens the overall processing time. We encourage applicants to monitor the status of their application through our online application system. Click here to access this system (you will need your PIN and password).

How am I notified of your decision?
All applicants are officially notified of the Admissions Committee's decision by way of our online application system (click here to access). Admitted students will receive formal letters of admission from the Broad School and MSU’s Graduate School.

How do I request an MBA View Book?
You may download our view book here (a PDF file) or you can click here to request that a view book be mailed to you. Or, you can simply call our office at (800) 4-MSU-MBA or (517) 355-7604 to request a view book. We will gladly mail you one upon receipt of your request.

Do I need an interview to obtain admission to the Broad MBA?
Yes. All applicants admitted to the program must complete an invitation-only, evaluative interview. During the interview, the applicant's attitude, professionalism, maturity, ability to work with people, and fit with the MBA Program will be assessed.

How do I apply for financial aid?
All applicants to the Broad MBA Program are considered automatically for scholarships and graduate assistantships when the Admissions Committee evaluates the application for admission. However, applicants should apply early in the admissions year to be most competitive for a financial award. If an award is made, you will be notified in your admission letter. No additional paperwork is needed to be considered for a financial award from the Broad MBA Program.

Can I apply for other types of financial aid?
Domestic U.S. students may also apply for additional financial aid in the form of loans. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed. For more information on financial assistance, contact the Michigan State University Office of Financial Aid.

How can I schedule a customized, individual visit?
Individual visits to the Broad MBA program may be scheduled online – please click here. During this visit, you may schedule any one of the following activities: evaluative interview, classroom visit, tour of the business school facilities, and/or meeting with an admissions staff member. Visits are available Monday through Friday, 9-5. Please note that the ability to meet with students and visit class will be unavailable during holiday breaks and exam times.

Where else can I meet a staff member from the Broad MBA Program?
Broad MBA staff members routinely travel around the world attending different MBA forums and recruiting events. To see if we are coming to a city near you, please check our website. We hope to see you soon!

What do I do to reapply?
Because you have already applied, we have much of the information we will need from you. However, you will need to obtain a current application, and resubmit certain sections.
Please email Ms. Beth Thomas (thomase@bus.msu.edu) to obtain reapplication instructions.
Please note: if you had previously interviewed, you do not need to be interviewed again. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to grant an additional interview if it considers it necessary.