Frequently Asked Questions

The Broad College of Business offers a 21-month full-time MBA program. The team-based Broad MBA program welcomes applications from highly motivated college graduates and working professionals in all fields. Admission to the program is granted to students who appear well suited for management careers based on academic ability, maturity, motivation, leadership and communication skills, as well as on 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 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.

Without work experience, the relevancy of the course material will be minimal. To enhance their knowledge and be effective in their future career, students need to be able to relate concepts to prior work experiences. Also, in the Broad College’s team-based learning approach, work experience will enable students to be an asset to their team in dealing with projects and assignments. It will make them strong contributors while their teammates’ backgrounds will enhance their experience.

If applicants are just graduating from an undergraduate program, they can still apply for the Broad Full-Time MBA program at Michigan State University. We select a very small number of such applicants each year. Successful applicants without post-undergraduate work experience possess a strong undergraduate GPA, solid GMAT/GRE score, demonstrated leadership in and outside the classroom, community involvement, maturity, a clear goal set and at least one undergraduate summer internship.

All parts of the application package are equally evaluated. The GMAT, undergraduate transcript, resume, essays, references and the interview (if granted) are all evaluated closely to judge an applicant. No one part of the application is more important than any other.

What we look for in a resume is career progression. Whether with the same firm or with several different organizations, we look at progression in job responsibilities and skill 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.

No. Due to our integrated full-time MBA curriculum, we only admit students to the fall semester, which begins in August each year.

We require all students to complete our 21-month program in its entirety. We do not accept transfer credits either to reduce the credit hours needed to graduate or to fulfill specific courses required for the program.

Typically, the Broad MBA program enrolls a class of approximately 75 students each year. Over the course of our MBA experience, each student has an opportunity to network with approximately 225 students, including approximately 75 in the second-year class during the student’s first year and then another 75 who will be in the first-year class during the student’s final year.

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, MBA students work as interns with leading corporations and consulting firms. Elective courses are continued during the second year, and graduation takes place in early May.

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 academic record, GMAT/GRE results, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores for international candidates, quality and quantity of work experience, personal and professional accomplishments, essays, references, and an invitation-only, evaluative interview.

While we do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score, our average score is a 674. GMAT/GRE score alone does not guarantee or deny admission to the program.

If an applicant takes the GMAT/GRE or TOEFL/IELTS more than once, the admissions committee will evaluate only the highest score reported, provided all scores reported are still valid. The Broad MBA program does not average multiple scores.

Yes. We accept the GRE and do not have a preference for which one you submit.

In addition to quantity of work experience, quality also is closely scrutinized, with an emphasis on professional career progression, teamwork and leadership experience, and quantifiable business results or achievements.

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, medical students, computer scientists, authors, entrepreneurs, chemists, lawyers/law students, political aides, biologists, and even former professional athletes enter and successfully complete the Broad MBA program.

We encourage applicants who have done high-caliber work but only have a couple of years of experience 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.

In some cases, yes, depending on the type of work done. However, it is still a positive factor toward admission, and a strong co-op experience or professional internship certainly can add to a candidate’s overall profile. Applicants should be sure to demonstrate contributions to the organization, not just roles and responsibilities, on their resume, similar to the detail provided for a regular position.

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.

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 61 credits must be completed at the Broad College to earn an MBA from Michigan State University.

No. The Broad MBA program does not admit any student who has previously earned an MBA degree or equivalent from another school.

Yes. All MBA students are required to have a laptop computer at the start of classes. There are wireless hot spots all over campus, including in the Business Complex, the Gast Business Library, and Owen Graduate Center. 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 D2L. With D2L, students find course lectures, handouts, solution sets, e-mail options, discussion servers and other links. In addition, the MBA Career Management Center uses a Web-based system called BroadNet to schedule interviews and manage all student recruitment information.

Yes. At Broad, MBA students are highly encouraged to take advantage of the global learning opportunities available to them. Students interested in participating in education abroad trips need to register for the course. Space is limited and is first come, first serve.

Broad MBAs who take advantage of the block tuition structure can pursue elective courses in a language or other areas of interest at MSU without having to pay for extra credits. Additional opportunities exist within the Broad MBA program for exposure to languages and cultures — participating in an education abroad program, mingling with our global student population or enrolling in international business classes.

Prospective applicants can fill out the MSU Full-Time MBA application. Applicants should follow the directions in our online application system. Once a username and password for an account are established, applicants can access their application anytime they like up until the time they submit it. The application fee is $85. All application information can be submitted online, including information about your references. If you get admitted to the program, you will be required to submit all your original documents.

The Broad Full-Time MBA application fee is $85.

The MBA program will accept scanned copies of your documents to make a decision on your file. However, you are required to submit your original documents if you are admitted to the program.

The Broad MBA program uses the batch admissions, or admission by rounds, process. In this process, the number of seats available in an MBA class decreases and selectivity increases as the admissions year goes on. For these reasons, the admissions committee encourages applicants to apply as early as possible to ensure they maximize their competitiveness for admission and for scholarships and graduate assistantships.

We will process your file in the round your application becomes COMPLETE. So if you submit your application by the deadline but your file does not become complete because you took your GMAT/GRE or TOEFL after the round deadline, we will process your file in the next available round.

Typically, applicants can expect a decision within 30–60 days of submitting a complete application and finishing the invitation-only, evaluative interview. Incomplete applications will lengthen the usual processing time, and heavy application flow during certain periods can necessitate a longer processing time. Please understand that telephone calls just to “check the status” of an application also lengthen the overall processing time. We encourage applicants to monitor the status of their application through our online application system. Applicants will need their PIN and password.

All applicants are officially notified of the admissions committee’s decision by way of our online application system. Applicants will need their PIN and password. Admitted students also will receive formal letters of admission from the Broad College of Business and MSU’s Graduate School.

Our viewbook is downloadable as a PDF. Applicants also can fill out a request for information form to receive important news from the MBA program office.

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.

All applicants to the Broad MBA program are considered automatically for scholarships and graduate assistantships when the admissions committee evaluates their 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, applicants are notified in their admission letter. No additional paperwork is needed to be considered for a financial award from the Broad MBA program.

Domestic students also may apply for additional financial aid in the form of loans. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, must be completed. For more information on financial aid, contact the Michigan State University Office of Financial Aid. International students are not eligible to file a FAFSA.

Individual visits to the Broad MBA program may be scheduled online. During a visit, prospective applicants may schedule any 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 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Please note that the ability to meet with students and visit classes will be unavailable during holiday breaks and exam times.

Broad MBA staff members routinely travel the world to attend MBA forums and recruiting events. See MSU MBA recruiting events for a list of locations and dates.

To reapply, please complete a new application and mark yourself as a reapplicant. The program office will send you an application fee voucher to submit your new application upon request.

The Broad MBA requires all non-native speakers of the English language to take the TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo assessment exam. Candidates should achieve scores at or above the Broad MBA minimums:

• 250 on computer version of the TOEFL exam
• 100 on iBT (Internet-Based Test) TOEFL exam
• 7 on IELTS exam
• 105 on Duolingo
• 70 on the PTE

Candidates who score below these minimums might not be accepted. Valid test scores must be received with the application for admission packet. Application packets without the test scores will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed until the score is provided.

All international candidates from non-English speaking countries must take English language proficiency tests if they do not qualify for a waiver. Visit our international admissions criteria to see if you qualify for a waiver.

The MBA program will not send you an email confirmation on receipt of your TOEFL/IELTS or PTE score report. However, after you apply, the Full-Time MBA program will match your application with your TOEFL/IELTS or PTE score report and post this information to your application. Please allow 2-3 weeks after the round deadline to see this information in your application.

All applicants to the Broad MBA program must hold a four-year undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree or the U.S. equivalent. Candidates who hold a three-year undergraduate degree along with a master’s degree are also eligible to apply.

Academic credentials are only evaluated as a part of the application for admission process. Some candidates may wish to use an independent credential evaluation agency to determine four-year equivalency. Applicants may submit the evaluation results with the application for admission.

Please arrange for one official, certified, or attested university or professional school record of subjects and mark sheets, transcripts, diplomas, and/or certificates to be sent to the MBA admissions office from the principal or registrar (or by the Ministry of Education in your country) of each school you have listed on your application. All records must be submitted via postal mail or in person (facsimile or electronic records are not accepted). Un-certified photocopies and transcripts “issued to student” are not acceptable. Official translations must be furnished when originals are not in English.

We do not have a minimum work experience length, but we recommend applicants to have a minimum of two years (24 months) of post-undergraduate work experience. This is experience obtained after completion or certification of the undergraduate degree. Internships and co-ops during the course of your undergraduate education are not considered post-undergraduate experience. Candidates who have less than two years of experience may not be competitive for admission. Please note that post-undergraduate work experience is only evaluated as a part of the application for admission process.

You are not required to send in your statement of financial proof at the time of application. We will need this document only if you are admitted to the program.