Admission Requirements
Professional work experience will enhance your MBA profile and allow you to contribute more successfully in classroom discussions. We find that students with at least two years of professional, post-undergraduate work experience have greater success finding internships and employment, often with starting salaries that are 15-20% higher. To ensure that you have the MBA experience and results you expect, we evaluate your post-undergraduate work experience in terms of years, the depth and breadth of your positions, your contributions to the work environment, and your level of responsibility and progression. Work experience does not need to be business-based; it can include experience in the military, teaching, Peace Corps, or other fields. When determining whether your work experience meets program expectations, consider the following questions:
- Does the position require a bachelor’s degree?
- Can you show progression in responsibility or position?
- Does your experience include managerial and/or supervisory responsibilities or leading a team to achieve established goals? Were you involved in setting those goals?
- Does your experience involve project management with multiple steps, phases, and deadlines?
- Was the majority of your work experience in a full-time format?
Our minimum requirement is at least one year of full-time, post-undergraduate professional work experience; two years or more preferred.
Applicants are required to take the GMAT or GRE standardized tests. Scores are used to measure an applicant’s aptitude for business and are valid for five years. We do not accept at-home test scores. Your GRE or GMAT exam must be taken at a certified test center.
The quantitative percentile achieved on the GMAT or GRE is an important part of your application. This helps us determine whether or not you have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully navigate the program. If your quantitative score is lower than you feel you are capable of, we encourage you to retake the test or submit supplemental documentation, such as grades obtained in previous quantitative classes, with your application.
If you have taken the GMAT or GRE multiple times, the highest overall score will be used, and there is no penalty for taking the test more than once.
Official scores can take up to four weeks to reach the university. You may submit an unofficial score to meet an admissions deadline, but an official score must be received before we can make a final admissions decision.
Submission codes for your test scores are as follows:
GMAT Code: K0R-S3-78
GRE/TOEFL Code: 4853
Your application must include a business resume with your employment history and educational accomplishments.
Your resume should be limited to one page. We encourage you to emphasize your work experience and pay particular attention to formatting and presentation. Please also make sure your resume is current and specific to your application.
Your application includes a required essay that serves as your statement of purpose. The essay gives you the opportunity to examine your future career goals and how the University of Utah will help you accomplish those goals.
Essay Prompt
Describe your ideal first job after MBA graduation. Include as much detail as possible about your future industry, job title, location, salary, and any other components of your post-MBA career results. How will you use your current skills, professional background, and network to achieve those career results? How will a University of Utah Full-Time MBA help you get that job? Please limit your response to 300 words.
Essay-Writing Tips
- Use a business context and framework to provide your answers.
- Paint a concise, complete, and well-thought-out picture of who you really are, rather than trying to guess what the admissions committee is looking for.
We require two letters of recommendation and prefer that both come from professional relationships. At least one should come from a previous or current employer, either from full-time employment or an internship. The title or status of those you select matters less than how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your ability to add value to the workplace or a professional team environment.
Qualitative information about your professional and leadership abilities is an important part of your MBA application. The best letters of recommendation will provide insight and actual examples of your potential to succeed in the competitive and challenging environment of a Full-Time MBA.
Other points to consider:
- Choose someone who knows you well. It’s a definite red flag when a recommender indicates they only know you “fairly well” or “not well.”
- Letters of recommendation must be submitted via the online application.
- You can submit your application before your letters of recommendation have been uploaded. The people writing your letters of recommendation will still be able to upload letters via the online application.
- You are responsible for ensuring both recommendations are submitted before the application deadline.
- References of a personal or social nature are strongly discouraged.
Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
You will be required to submit an unofficial transcript from each institution of higher education you have attended, regardless of the length of attendance. Once admitted, you must also request official transcripts from every college or university you have attended to be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office at the University of Utah at AdmissTranscripts@SA.Utah.edu or by mail:
University of Utah Graduate Admissions
201 S. 1460 E, Room 250 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Your admission to the program will not be valid until all official transcripts have been received. Applicants must have earned their bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Consideration will also be given to applicants who met this 3.0 GPA requirement over the last 60 hours of their undergraduate coursework or through a graduate degree. Our program does not accept transfer credits.
Application fees are $55 for domestic applicants and $65 for international applicants.
Your admissions interview plays a critical role in the evaluation process and provides an opportunity for us to learn more about you and for you to learn more about the Full-Time MBA program.
Interviews are conducted by invitation only and will be held on campus, if travel allows, or via web conference if an applicant cannot make it to campus. Invitations to interview will be sent approximately one week after each round of application deadlines.
English Proficiency
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by providing one of the following:
- TOEFL score of 100 iBT or higher
- The University of Utah does not accept paper-based TOEFL scores
- IELTS score of 7.0 or higher
- The University of Utah only accepts IELTS exam scores completed in person.
- Duolingo score of 135 or higher
Additional information about English proficiency, score submissions, and exemptions can be found on the University of Utah Admissions Office website. Please note that the score requirements for the Full-Time MBA program are higher than the scores listed by the Admissions Office.
Official scores can take up to four weeks to reach the university. You may submit an unofficial score to meet a deadline, but an official score must be received before we can make a final decision on your application. Official scores must be received by the final deadline.
International Degrees & Transcripts
International degrees must be issued by an accredited university.
A course-by-course transcript evaluation must be obtained from an NACES-approved organization selected by the University of Utah. The university will cover the cost of this evaluation after you submit your application and we have received your official English language proficiency score. This process normally takes one to two weeks, but during peak periods, this process may take up to 3-4 weeks. Submitting your program application at least four weeks before the final deadline will ensure that you remain eligible for your desired start term.
To facilitate a course-by-course evaluation, please include the following documents with your application:
- Unofficial transcripts from all institutions you attended to obtain your bachelor’s degree.
- A copy of your diploma.
- We do not accept 3-year degrees. However, if you completed a 3-year bachelor’s degree followed by a 1-2 year post-baccalaureate degree, please also include an unofficial copy of your post-baccalaureate transcript and diploma.
Upon admission to the program, you will be required to submit official transcript(s) from the institution(s) where you earned your bachelor’s degree. If these transcripts are in a language other than English, official English translations must also be provided.
GRE Note
We do not accept the GRE® General Test at-home exam.
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