The Admissions Process

When is the application due?
The suggested submission date is November 1, 2008. International applications are due February 2, 2009. All domestic applications are due by April 1, 2009. Assuming that nothing is missing from your application, it generally takes 10 - 13 weeks (not including two weeks during the Christmas holidays) before you are notified of a decision.

We utilize a rolling admission process, which means we will review all applications we receive – regardless of when they arrive – and generally in the chronological order in which they are received (as completed applications). Once you are satisfied that your application represents your best effort, please submit it as early as possible. We will continue offering Letters of Admission until the class is full.

 

Is the online application the only way to apply?
Yes. The online Texas MBA Application is the fastest, safest, and most efficient method of applying. We no longer accept paper applications because of their lengthy processing time. The online application is short and can be saved and returned to as often as needed before officially submitting it (just record your application number as directed). We prefer essays to be submitted online as well. Essays are included in the online application and can be proofed before submission.

 

Where should the mailed portion of the application be sent?

By Regular Mail:
GIAC
P.O. Box 7608
UT-Austin
Austin, TX 78713-7608

By Courier:
Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC)
UT-Austin
2608 Whitis Avenue
Austin, TX 78712
Tel: (512) 475-7391

Can I waive the application fee?
We do not grant requests for waivers or deferrals of the MBA application fee except for applicants who are involved with the Teach for America program for the 2008-09 application year.

 

If I applied last year and didn't get in, is there anything special I need to do to re-apply?
We keep applications on file for one year, so you may re-apply for fall 2009 using some of the same information that you submitted for fall 2008. Re-applicants need to send a new application, an updated resume, new essays (please note that the essay questions have changed), and a new application fee (international students must submit a new "Certification of Financial Responsibility" form as well). Although not required, we suggest you submit new letters of recommendation if you feel they can be improved. Transcripts do not need to be resubmitted unless you have taken additional course work.

ETS mandates that GMAT scores are only valid for five years after the date the test is taken. For TOEFL scores, this period is two years. You will need to take these standardized tests again if the scores have expired (based on the date you submit your application) or if you can improve your original score. The McCombs Admissions Committee considers only the highest submitted score in the evaluation of applications.

The application for all new and re-applicants is the online application at: http://mba.mccombs.utexas.edu/admissions/adm/.

 

How can I check the status of my application?
All applicants are responsible for managing the process and status of his/her application. You can do this online. The application must be received and processed before you have access to the site. This can take 3 days to 3 weeks depending on the type of application submitted.

 

Already know your UTEID? Check application status here: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/admissions/status_check.WBX

Don’t remember your UTEID? Check application status here:
 http://utdirect.utexas.edu/nr/appstat.html

 

 

Requirements for Admission

What are the pre-requirements for applying to the program?
Pre-requisites:

Applicants must have the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor degree from an accredited institution. For applicants who attended undergraduate institutions in India, the University of Texas at Austin does not consider the Bachelor’s of Commerce equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. Applicants holding this three-year degree are not eligible for admission to our graduate school programs. You must have already completed (and have been awarded) a master’s degree in India in addition to your bachelor’s degree to be eligible for graduate study. Partial completion of the master’s program will not make you eligible for our graduate programs. Applicants who hold Associate memberships with the Institute of Chartered Accountancy in addition to their bachelor’s degree are also eligible for graduate study at UT.

 

Strongly recommended: Two years of post-baccalaureate work experience prior to enrollment.

 

A competitive GMAT score (UT's GMAT Code: 396-44-45)

 

A competitive TOEFL score (UT's GMAT Code: 6882) (international applicants only)

 

Strongly recommended: Two years of post-baccalaureate work experience prior to enrollment

What are the characteristics of a strong applicant?
The admissions committee carefully considers each completed application, with particular attention to personal essays, work history, undergraduate performance, letters of recommendation, extracurricular and community activities, honors and achievements, and test scores. Personal characteristics that add to the diversity of the class may also be considered such as country of citizenship, gender, family background, multi-lingual skills, and socioeconomic history.

What is full-time work experience?
Full-time work experience is calculated up until the time of enrollment (start of fall classes). This includes all full-time work that you have completed since receiving your bachelor’s degree. This does not need to be business-based, and can include teaching, military service, government experience, programs like Peace Corps, etc. The average number of years of work experience for our admitted class is five years, but our minimum for admission consideration is two. If you have other SUBSTANTIAL experience and would like to be considered for admission, please submit an application and explain your experiences and circumstances fully in your essays.

Can I apply without full time work experience?
A select number of applicants will be considered for admission as McCombs Scholars immediately after completing their undergraduate degree. These applicants must possess, among other criteria, exceptionally strong academic backgrounds, demonstrated leadership and a strong potential for success in business. The application process for McCombs Scholars is the same for regular applicants to the MBA program but they should consider demonstrating the criteria listed above.

 

Financial Aid

What are the financial aid opportunities?
Visit the financial aid and scholarships page for detailed information.

 

Application Materials

Application Requirements:
The absolute minimum requirements for the admissions office to render a decision include the application, payment of the application fee, a valid GMAT score, and submission of transcripts showing award of bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. Submission of only these four items is greatly discouraged and, in fact, will delay an admissions decision to the very end of the cycle when the class is almost always full. To remain competitive the applicant will also need to submit a resume, essays, and two (2) letters of recommendation.

International students will need to submit a valid TOEFL score (unless eligible for a TOEFL waiver—see below). They will also need to submit the certificate of Financial Responsibility form to the International office if admitted; this can also be submitted at the time of application to simplify the process. We will review applications in which all documents are submitted prior to reviewing those applications in which one or more pieces were not included.

 

Can I waive the TOEFL?
The TOEFL is not required for U.S. citizens or U.S. Permanent Residents, and in the following circumstances for non-U.S. residents:

If the applicant’s native language is English. (English must be the only official language of the country of which the applicant is a citizen).

If the applicant has a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university from a country in which English is the only official language as well as the language of instruction.

In the above situations, the TOEFL is waived automatically - you do not need to request a waiver.

If neither of the above circumstances applies to your particular situation as an international applicant, then you are required to include a TOEFL score with your MBA application to be considered for admission. If you feel that you have exceptional English skills (you have studied or worked in English speaking countries), you may apply for a TOEFL waiver. If you would like to apply for a TOEFL waiver, you must first apply to the full-time Texas MBA program at McCombs and subsequently provide the following information:

• A letter from the applicant requesting the waiver
• A copy of the applicant’s GMAT score as sent by GMAC (including the full breakdown of verbal and quantitative sections)
• A writing sample (an answer to one of our essay questions would be sufficient)
• A written recommendation from a native English speaker who currently has or has had regular verbal interactions with the applicant.

All materials may be submitted directly by email to: Tammie.may@mccombs.utexas.edu or can be faxed to (512) 471-4131. Please allow up to two weeks for processing of your request and review of the submitted materials after receipt. Partial or incomplete submissions of the required materials will not be reviewed. At completion of the review, you will receive an email notification of the waiver decision.

Please have your TOEFL score sent electronically to The University of Texas at Austin. Please send the letter requesting the waiver and the letter of support from the native English speaker directly to the MBA Admissions Office 512-471-4131 FAX or CBA 2.316, Austin, TX 78712.
Please have your TOEFL score sent electronically to The University of Texas at Austin. Please send the letter requesting the waiver and the letter of support from the native English speaker directly to the MBA Admissions Office 512-471-4131 FAX or CBA 2.316, Austin, TX 78712.

You may further research the eligibility requirements for international applicants at our Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) web page at: http://www.utexas.edu/student/giac/intlinfo.html.

 

 

What is the minimum GMAT score accepted?
We do not have a minimum requirement for the GMAT. The GMAT is one of many factors–-including recommendations, essays, undergraduate GPA, etc.–- that we will consider when reviewing an application. All applicants must take the GMAT; the GRE cannot be substituted in its place.

For your information, the average GMAT score of this year’s first-year students is 669 (with a wide range). International students are evaluated in a pool with other applicants from the same country. For domestic students, the GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is available, year-round, at test centers throughout the world. To schedule a test-date, refer to their website www.gmac.com or call (800) 462-8669. Please have your GMAT score sent electronically to the University of Texas at Austin (Code:  396-44-45).

 

How long are test scores valid?
PearsonVUE considers GMAT scores valid for five years from the date you take the test to the time you submit your application; and TOEFL scores are valid for two years. As long as you submit the application, and the test score is submitted by PearsonVUE before the expiration of the exam, we can use the score for admission purposes. In other words, the exam does not have to be valid at the time of enrollment. For example, if you took the exam in November of 2003 and submit the scores and application by November 2008, we can use the scores for the entire application cycle for fall 2009. If you do not submit the scores by November, 2008, you would have to retake the exam.

 

Do I need to submit high school transcripts?
It is not necessary for you to submit your high school grades in order to be considered eligible for admission into the MBA program.

 

Do I need original transcripts?
In order to be considered, official college transcripts (or translations of foreign language transcripts) must be certified by the issuing University or by an Embassy or Consulate of the country in which the school is located. Transcripts certified by a notary public will not be considered official.

If original documents are not available, we will accept “copies of original documents” as official, but they must be certified as true copies on every page either by:

Any school, college or university (not necessarily the original institution).

 

A government office such as the Ministry of Education, or Dept. of Foreign Affairs, etc., or

 

Any foreign Consulate or Embassy.

 

All pages must be certified as true copy, not just the first and/or last page.

 

How do I calculate my GPA?/What is upper division coursework?
The Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) recalculates your GPA using only upper-division coursework and any non-professional graduate work. The GPA is based on a 4.0 scale. Upper-division coursework is loosely defined as courses taken during your junior and senior years (i.e., final two years of college). These classes are typically in your major (although non-major upper-level courses are also included in the GPA) and are taken above-and-beyond the basic core curriculum. GIAC will correct this information if it is incorrect. International grading scales will be recalculated to reflect an equivalent total on a 4.0 scale.

 

 

Other Business Programs

How can I get information about the BBA Program?
http://www.mccombs.utexas.edu/udean/

 

Do you have an MBA program for working professionals?
There are six routes to a Texas MBA and the McCombs School of Business offers several options for working professionals. The Texas Executive MBA is a two-year program designed to meet the needs of mid-career managers who wish to pursue an MBA degree while continuing to carry the full responsibilities of their jobs.

Classes are scheduled on alternate weekends, meeting on both Friday and Saturday. The program requires a serious commitment on the part of both the individual and the employer. The course work is rigorous and demanding; the result is an educational experience that ranks among the finest available in the nation today. Please visit the following web site: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/execed.

The Texas Evening MBA is a part-time program that was initiated in 2000 and is designed for those interested in maintaining full-time employment while pursuing an MBA degree. The duration of the program is three years.
Please visit to the following website: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/temba  or e-mail them at temba@mccombs.utexas.edu.

In addition, we have part-time programs in Dallas, Houston and Mexico City. For a complete list of programs, visit our website: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/students/programs.asp.  

The McCombs School of Business does not offer an online MBA. The UT system does have a program, but UT Austin is not affiliated with it. For information, visit: www.telecampus.utsystem.edu.

I am interested in the Dual Degree program, how do I apply?
A student seeking admission to a Dual Degree Program must apply through the Graduate and International Admissions Center using the Apply Texas application and choosing the appropriate dual-degree title when asked to "select major". The student is responsible for submitting all department-specific supplemental materials (test score, essays, letters, etc.) for each department, directly to GIAC.

Applicants must be accepted by each individual program in order to be admitted to the joint program. If an applicant is admitted to only one side, with departmental approval, he/she may choose to pursue that degree alone. A minimum of two years of full-time work experience is strongly suggested to enter any of the Dual Degree Programs.

All dual-degree students begin their first year of study in the non-business side of the program.

Students already enrolled in a University of Texas at Austin graduate program who wish to apply to an MBA/Dual Degree program must submit the McCombs MBA Admission Application available online and specify the dual degree in the first essay.

All dual-degree students begin their first year of study in the non-business side of the program.

For more specific information on our Dual Degree programs, please visit our web site at: http://mba.mccombs.utexas.edu/students/academics/jointdeg/

 

Do you have programs outside of Austin?
We have MBA programs in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Mexico City.

Houston - The Texas MBA at Houston is an innovative, 2 year program offered on alternating weekends in Houston for professionals with varied backgrounds and work experiences. The Texas MBA at Houston will allow you to study and work at the same time.
Courses are offered on alternating weekends (Friday 4:00-8:30, Saturday 8:00-5:30).
Please visit to the following website: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/houstonmba or e-mail them at texasmbahouston@mccombs.utexas.edu

DFW - The Texas MBA at DFW is an innovative, 2 year program offered on alternating weekends in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for professionals with varied backgrounds and work experiences. The Texas MBA at DFW will allow you to study and work at the same time.
Courses are offered on alternating weekends (Friday 4:00-8:30, Saturday 8:00-5:30).
Please visit to the following website: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/dfwmba  or e-mail them at texasmbadfw@mccombs.utexas.edu

Mexico City - The Executive MBA in Mexico City is a two-year, dual degree program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAC). It is designed for mid-career managers who are at general management levels or who will soon assume those responsibilities. The alternating cycle-Friday and Saturday classes every two weeks-permits continued full time employment while providing time for work, study, and family commitments. Please visit to the following website: www.mccombs.utexas.edu/execed/emba/  or email them at emba@mccombs.utexas.edu

 

Other

Do you accept transfer credits?
We do not accept transfer credits or waivers into the McCombs School of Business. Each student is responsible for completing our entire program in residence.

Can I pursue a master's degree in a particular subject area?
Unfortunately, we do not offer a master’s degree in any of the specific business disciplines (i.e., Finance, Marketing, Management, etc.), except for the MBA and MPA (Master of Professional Accounting). However, within the MBA, a student may choose to concentrate in one of the aforementioned disciplines. See more specific information about any of our concentrations.

We do offer doctoral degrees in most of these disciplines. Please contact the respective department if this is of further interest to you.

 

Can I take classes at the MBA Program without applying for the program?
Due to high demand for MBA courses by our degree-seeking students, non-degree seekers are rarely admitted (please visit http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/schedules/ for the Office of the Registrar course schedules). Applicants may apply to take MBA courses as Non-Degree seekers. However, admission is at the discretion of the Director of Admissions.

Interested candidates must first contact the UT Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC) for the appropriate application forms. In addition to the UT GIAC application forms, fee, and transcripts, the following materials are also required by the McCombs School of Business and must be submitted directly to the Texas MBA Admissions Office (CBA 2.502):

 

Current TOEFL (if applicant is foreign)

 

Current resume

 

Letter of introduction - stating the candidate's request for admission as a Non-Degree Graduate Student. This letter should include a brief explanation as to why the candidate is seeking admission as a Non-Degree Student (rather than as a full-time, regular-program student), and a list of courses sought, if admitted.

 

If admitted, the following "enrollment conditions" will apply to all Non-Degree Graduate Students taking courses in the McCombs School of Business:

No more than 15 hours of Graduate Business courses may be taken as a Non-Degree Graduate Student.

 

Course selections will:

Exclude all MBA core courses (see List of core courses)

 

Will be limited to "space available" as of the 5th day of class, and then only with advance faculty approval. (Faculty approval forms are available through the MBA Program Office, CBA 2.316)

 

No courses taken while enrolled as a Non-Degree Graduate Student may be applied to full-time MBA program degree requirements if the candidate is later offered admission.

 

Because our MBA elective courses are in high demand by students in the program, non-MBA students (including graduate students in other UT programs on campus) may only register for these courses with instructor consent and approval of the MBA program office.

How can I be considered as a Texas resident?
Detailed information on residency requirements is available at http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/residency/index.html

In general, any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who resides in Texas and is gainfully employed for twelve consecutive months prior to enrolling in an institution of higher education may be eligible for classification as a Texas resident for admissions and tuition purposes at the University of Texas at Austin.

Non-resident students may be considered for reclassification after residing in Texas, if they are able to provide facts proving they have complied with one of the actions listed below for the 12 months directly prior to the enrollment date:

 

Full-time employment and the nature of such employment (excludes student-based employment)

 

Purchase of residential property

 

Marriage to a resident of Texas

 

Business ownership in Texas

 

Having a license to practice a profession in Texas

 

Foreign nationals who have been gainfully employed in the state of Texas for twelve consecutive (12) months prior to admission, and who currently hold an H1B or L1 visa or who have a pending permanent resident application with INS, may be eligible for Texas Residency (i.e., in-state tuition). An application for Texas Residency is required along with verification of INS status and employment.

 

Can students begin in the spring semester?
Because of the structure of the cohort system that we employ here at the McCombs School of Business, we only allow students who have been admitted to our full-time MBA program to enroll during the fall semester. We do not allow spring entry in the MBA Program. Cohorts are groups of about 65 students that take almost all of their core (required) classes together as a group. These groups are important team-building tools that we consider essential to the MBA experience here at McCombs. Allowing students to enter a cohort in the middle of the school year or allowing them to waive classes they may have already taken would nullify many of these team skill-building benefits.