Requirements

When reviewing an application, the Admissions Committee considers many criteria, including:

Academic Record
The Broad School considers each applicant's transcript in an undergraduate academic program. Special attention will also be given to the last two years of the applicant's undergraduate career. Our average GPA for the final two years in an undergraduate program is 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. We also consider graduate-level work, but we do not allow transfers from other MBA programs or candidates who already have an MBA, or equivalent, from another institution.

View accounting, mathematics and statistics prerequisites.

Resume
One copy of an up-to-date resume is required. The resume should detail professional experiences, academic credentials and related accomplishments, as well as any pertinent biographical data. The preferred format is a maximum of one page.

GMAT
All applicants must take the Graduate Management Admission Test. While we do not have an "official" minimum GMAT score, our median score is about 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.

GMAT Code for the Full-time MBA:
QH0-5P-76 MBA, Full Time

Q - H - zero - five - P - seven - six

Other Michigan State University GMAT Codes

QH0-5P-18 MBA, Weekend MBA
QH0-5P-40 MBA, Executive MBA
QH0-5P-98 MS in Hospitality Business
QH0-5P-32 MS in Accounting
QH0-5P-80 MS in Supply Chain Management

Work Experience
We strongly recommend a minimum of two years full-time work experience after a candidate has earned an undergraduate degree; the average admitted student has five years of work experience. The quality of the experience is also closely scrutinized, with an emphasis on professional career progression, teamwork and leadership experience, and quantifiable business results. The Broad MBA Program will occasionally consider an applicant with non-traditional full-time work experience prior to or during their undergraduate program.

Accomplishments
Many kinds can enhance the competitiveness of an applicant, including work-related or professional awards and accomplishments; scholastic awards, accomplishments and publications; community service work; and youth development and mentoring.

Personal Essays
Two personal essays are required. They are evaluated on their written structure and flow and to determine whether a candidate is a good fit for the curricular strengths of the program and the team-intensive environment.

Letters of Recommendation
We require at least two letters of recommendation, one of which must come from a professional work-related reference, preferably a supervisor. We prefer letters that attest to the candidate's ability to work within and to lead teams, as well as to contribute significantly to a professional business environment.

Personal Interview
After an applicant has passed the initial screening process, he or she will be contacted for a personal interview by the admissions staff. During the interview, the candidate's attitude, professionalism, maturity, ability to work with people, and fit with the MBA Program will be assessed. All candidates admitted to the program must complete an evaluative interview.

View the Broad MBA Interview Policy.

International Applicants
International applicants must meet all of the above requirements. In addition, we ask international applicants to provide the following:

Academic Record
If your transcript is not on a 4.0 grading system, please attempt to estimate your grade performance on a 4.0 scale.

TOEFL Scores
All international candidates from non-English speaking countries must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score on this exam is 600 on the paper version, 250 on the computer version, or 100 for the iBT (Internet-based Test). Candidates with scores below the minimum cannot be accepted into the program.

Test takers should use the Michigan State University institution code of 1465. In addition, please use 02 (zero two) for the department code. Using 02 will send your TOEFL results directly to the Broad Graduate School of Management.

NOTE: Candidates from English-speaking countries (notably the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand), or those who have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution in which English is the method of instruction may waive the TOEFL requirement; proof of the method of instruction is required if a waiver is sought.

NOTE: MSU does not accept the Institutional TOEFL—a test taken at any site other than an official testing center and not scored by the TOEFL Administration.