What type of applicant does BU look for?
The Admission Committee looks for three primary factors when they review an application:

• A record of academic excellence — so we can be assured that you will thrive in our dynamic learning environment
• Evidence of managerial and leadership potential — to indicate the value you will bring to future employers
• Diversity of thought — to ensure that you will be challenged by people who have different fields of reference within your teams and in the classroom

Learn more about our class profile, approach and mission.

We are committed to enrolling qualitatively excellent incoming classes that represent global, ethnic, and demographic diversity. It is our policy to encourage prospective students to consider our management programs regardless of race, color, religious creed, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, eligible veteran status or any other category protected by law.

What are the admissions criteria for the MS·MBA?
The admission requirements for the MS·MBA are exactly the same as our general MBA. You simply need to indicate on your application that you would like to be considered for the MS·MBA.

How do I begin an application?
We ask all interested applicants to fill out our online application and follow our admission procedures.

When is the deadline to apply?
We have several deadlines throughout the year. Please see our deadlines page for additional information.

What is the reapplication policy?
The Graduate Admissions Office keeps all records on file for one year. In order to reapply you must follow the reapplication procedure as outlined on our website.

Who should write my recommendations?
While it is your choice to decide who to ask to write your letters of recommendation, we suggest recommendations come from an employer or someone you have worked with in a professional setting.

Where do I send my official application components (i.e official transcripts)?
All documents should be mailed to:
Boston University School of Management
Office of Graduate Admissions
595 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02215

How long will I have to wait for my admission decision?
If your application is submitted in its entirety by the required deadline, we aim to release the decision to you in four to six weeks. This precludes our doctoral programs. For the anticipated decision response dates, please visit our application deadlines page.

Do I need a technology background?
No. You don’t need technical experience or training to be successful in the MS·MBA program. The MS·MBA isn’t just about technology, but about leveraging technology from a managerial and strategic perspective.

Are official documents, such as transcripts and GMAT scores, required?
To expedite the admissions process we ask that you upload unofficial documents at the time of your application submission. Admitted candidates are required to submit official copies of all documents.

Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE?
Yes. All applicants must take the GMAT or GRE. There are no exceptions. We accept students with a range of scores. Having a score that exceeds the average does not guarantee admission, nor does a score below the average necessarily mean that you will not be accepted. To see the averages of our current class, please visit the full-time class profile.

Is there a minimum GMAT or GRE requirement for any program?
No. There is no minimum GMAT or GRE score an applicant must receive in order to be considered for admission. We accept students with a range of scores. Having a score that exceeds the average does not guarantee admission, nor does a score below the average necessarily mean that you will not be accepted. To see the averages of our current classes, please visit the class profile pages.

Do I need a four-year degree?
Yes. If you have studied in a country where the educational system awards bachelor degrees after only three years (e.g., India, Singapore, Australia, etc.), we typically require at least a year of additional study. Most students choose to complete either a two-year master’s program (M.Com) or postgraduate diploma prior to applying for their MS·MBA. Both are given equal weight with the Admission Committee and are acceptable equivalents to a 16-year U.S. bachelor’s degree. Be advised that in both programs it is necessary to obtain a degree (completing the first year of a two-year master’s program is not considered equivalent).

Do I need a TOEFL score?
International applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the US, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and South Africa, or who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher in these countries, are required to take either the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE exam.

BU’s TOEFL code is 3087, department code is 02.

TOEFL/IELTS results are valid for 2 years.

What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score you accept?
TOEFL: Minimum scores of 600 on the PBT, 250 on the CBT, or 95 on the IBT are recommended.

IELTS: A student must score a minimum of 6.5 across each band.

PTE: Because the PTE test is new, we are currently developing updated standards for our requirements. Because of this, we do not have a minimum score at this time. Please check back as the school year progresses for more information.

Do I need to interview?
Interviews are by invitation only. Upon receiving your application, we will determine whether an interview will be necessary. We do not offer informational interviews, but instead strongly encourage you to attend one of our information sessions instead.

Do I need to come to campus for my interview?
No, though we encourage you to visit campus, it is not necessary to come for your interview. We offer off-campus interviews in many major cities around the world, as well as ample opportunities to conduct your interview by telephone or Skype.

Do I need to complete all essays?
Yes, in order for your application to be reviewed you must complete all required essays. See the application process for details.

Is work experience required?
We do not have a minimum work experience requirement applicants must meet in order to be admitted. With few exceptions, accepted students have at least two years of full-time, post-undergraduate professional experience. The Admissions Committee takes internships and cooperative education assignments into account, but those experiences are usually considered supplementary. To see the averages of our current classes, please visit the class profile pages.

Are there any prerequisite courses? Do I need an undergraduate degree in business or a professional business background?
For our full-time program there are no prerequisites. The Admissions Committee looks for good quantitative skills, leadership and analytical ability, and excellent verbal expression. You can demonstrate these competencies through a variety of undergraduate majors and professional experiences. A large percentage of our MS·MBA students do not have an undergraduate business background.

What is the MS·MBA and how does it differ from an MBA?
The MS·MBA Program gives students the opportunity to earn two degrees: a traditional MBA with a concentration, and a Master of Science in Information Systems. The MS·MBA is well-suited for early-career professionals who want to redirect their careers by function or industry.

Will it take longer to complete the MS·MBA than a regular MBA program?
No. One of the unique aspects of this specialized dual-degree is that you complete both degrees in just 21 months. This includes two academic years, a winter intensive class, as well as spring intensives, prior to starting a summer internship. Learn more by visiting our curriculum page.

Is the MBA component of the MS·MBA different from the “straight” MBA degree?
Not in any fundamental way. The required courses are identical, but MBA students not enrolled in the MS·MBA program have more open electives in their academic schedule.

Can I pursue the MS·MBA part-time?
Unfortunately, no. Because of course sequencing and the rigorous demands of the program, we require MS·MBA students to commit to 21 months of full-time study.

Can I transfer into the MS·MBA program?
While we do not have a formal transfer application process, students currently enrolled in other MBA Programs are welcome to apply through the standard application process.

Can I switch between programs? Between the part-time MBA and full-time MBA program? Two-Year and MS·MBA?
This depends on where you are within the process:

Application in Progress: If you have started, but not yet submitted an application, you may not change programs without losing all of your inputted data. In this case, please submit the application you have started and follow the steps below.

Application Submitted: Once you have submitted your application, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at mba@bu.edu with a written request to change your application to the program for which you’d like to be considered. The Admission Committee will consider your request and will notify you of the outcome. Please note, you may only be considered for one program per semester.

Enrolled student: Once you have enrolled in a program, changing programs is handled on a case by case basis. Students wishing to switch between programs should work with their advisor in the Graduate Programs Office.

Are there study abroad opportunities?
Yes, International Field Seminars are two week intensive electives conducted abroad by BU faculty. Recent International Field Seminars include trips to Asia, Europe, India and Brazil.

Can I take classes before applying?
In most instances, a student must be matriculated in the Boston University Graduate School of Management in order take courses at the School. Those interested in taking one or more courses without matriculating need to meet certain, specific criteria in order to register as a guest student. There are four categories of eligible guest registrants:

1. Current graduate students of other schools or colleges within Boston University.
2. Current MBA students registered at another AACSB accredited institution.
3. MBA alumnus/a from Boston University Graduate School of Management or another AACSB accredited MBA program.
4. Graduate students at Consortium institutions (Boston College, Brandeis University, Tufts University, and Hebrew College).

If you satisfy any of these requirements, you can contact the Graduate Programs Office at (617) 353-2673 for more information about guest student registration.

Can I transfer credits from classes I have previously taken?
Pending approval, we accept transfer credit for the Full-Time MBA and MS·MBA Programs, as well as the Professional Evening MBA Program. You will need to follow the general admission process and requirements and be admitted into a program before we can determine if transfer credits will be accepted. In order to transfer credit, courses must be from AACSB accredited institutions. Please note that transfer credit will not count towards MBA core courses, nor will it count towards the requirements for a concentration. To determine whether or not a course will transfer into the MBA Program at Boston University, you will be required to submit the course syllabus, course description, and official transcript. In some cases, waiver exams are offered to students who are ineligible for the transfer of credit process. Please contact the Graduate Programs Office at (617) 353-2673 for more information.

Can I waive out of a core class if I have a strong academic background in that area?
MBA or MS·MBA students with a strong undergraduate record or who have completed comparable graduate-level coursework at another college or university may wish to demonstrate their mastery of a core subject by taking the applicable waiver exam. Note that students are not permitted to waive out of Managing Organizations and People; IT Strategies for a Networked Economy; Competition, Innovation, and Strategy; or any of the executive skills core courses. Waiver exams are offered on specific dates at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Students who successfully pass a waiver exam will be awarded credit for the class. With proof of a CPA or CA license, students may waive out of and receive academic credit for Financial Reporting and Control. With proof of a CFA® charter or having passed three levels of the CFA® exams, students may waive out of and receive academic credit for Financial Management. Students who have earned a JD from a U.S. institution, or are a member of a state Bar Association in the U.S., can automatically waive out of and receive academic credit for Introduction to Business Law.

Can I begin the program in January?
No. Students are admitted to the MS·MBA Program in August only.

Can international students study part-time?
Usually not. If your reason for entering the United States is to enroll in the full-time MS·MBA Program, you will be eligible for a University-sponsored student visa that entitles you to full-time study only. International students who are looking to study in our part-time program must have a visa that allows them to do so, such as an employer-sponsored working visa.

Can I take MS·MBA courses at Boston University via distance learning? Do you have online courses?
No. Except for the Professional Evening Program which is also available at our Chelmsford location, all of our MBA programs are only available at our Boston location at the School of Management.

Can I get financial aid for the MS·MBA?
Yes. A range of financial aid is available, including merit-based scholarships for students with strong admissions profiles, and need-based aid through a variety of federal and private loan programs.

How do I apply for Financial Aid?
Admitted candidates to the Full-time MBA Programs are all considered for merit-based award scholarships. You do not need to submit any additional information to be eligible for a merit-based award. Notification about scholarships is included in the acceptance packet. The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. The maximum loan eligibility is 20,500 per academic year. Learn more about our financial aid offerings.

Do you offer financial aid to international students?
Yes, all applicants to our full-time program are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships provided that their applications are submitted by the admission deadlines. A separate application is not required. In addition, international students can finance their graduate education with private education loans provided they apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a U.S.-based address.

The Graduate Admission team is here to support you during the admission process. Please feel free to email us at mba@bu.edu or to call us at (617) 353-2670. We’re also on Chat on MSN/AIM/ Yahoo/Google—our screen name is BostonUMBA.