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Application Instructions

You are responsible for completing and assembling the application package prior to the deadline for which you would like to be considered.  Candidates will only be reviewed and considered for the MBA program once they have submitted an application and all supporting documents.

An application package will be reviewed when we have received your application, application fee, essays, resume, test scores, transcripts and letters of recommendation. 

A complete application for admission includes the following materials:

* included in online application

Application Form *

On-line application

Application Fee *

The 2007-2008 application fee for the full-time program is $45. On-line applicants should use the credit/debt card option. If payment is made by check or money order, please make payable to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and clearly note the name of the candidate on the check or money order. Admissions decisions will not be communicated to the applicant until the application fee and all other supporting materials have been received.

MBA Application for Admission *

Complete personal data and information on your intended career specialization, education and work history. 
On-line application

Record of Residence *

This form is filed with the University Registrar's Office for all university students and is used to determine  Wisconsin residency for tuition purposes only. Review section 36.27(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes. If you believe you qualify as a Wisconsin resident according to the law, answer "yes" to the question, "Are you a Wisconsin resident and/or do you claim legal Wisconsin residence for tuition purposes according to Wisconsin Statutes?" If the answer is "yes" to that question, the Record of Residency section (within the online application) must be completed. 

Merit-based Financial Assistance *

All applicants who complete the merit-based financial form, as part of the on-line application will be considered for merit-based aid.  Materials provided as part of your application will be used to evaluate your competitiveness for merit-based scholarships, fellowships, project assistantships and teaching assistantships. 

Essays *

School of Business MBA questions for Fall 2008:

All candidates will be required to write School of Business essay questions 1 and 2.  Depending on your intended career specialization, you will write questions 3 and 4 for your particular program.  Essay 5 is optional in which you may address any topics and/or issues not communicated in your application materials in which you feel would benefit the admissions committee to know about you.  Total length of your essays should not exceed 6 pages type written, single space is acceptable.

1.  Explain why you are interested in pursuing your MBA and the specific career specialization at this point in your life. Specifically, how will this degree impact your future career and describe your professional short term career goals (immediately following the MBA).

2.  Tell us about a time you faced either a challenge or set back (professional or personal) in your life. Explain the situation, what happened and what did you learn or gain from the experience.

The following questions are specific to your career specialization. Based on the career specialization you selected please address questions 3 and 4:

Arts Administration

3.  Describe the specific skills and abilities you hope to gain from the graduate degree program in Arts Administration, and the skills and abilities you would bring to the program.

4.  Identify and describe a key issue facing the marketing, management, development, creation, or support of arts and culture today. Explain why you think this is a critical issue to arts administrators, and provide your recommendations as to how this issue might be addressed. Include specific examples from your own experience if applicable.

Applied Corporate Finance

3. Please describe why you should be admitted to the Applied Corporate Finance (ACFIN) program, and why you believe ACFIN is a good fit for you.

4. Identify and list three critical financial issues affecting businesses today. Select one issue to discuss in depth. Discuss why you think this is a critical issue and provide your recommendations as to how this issue may be resolved.
 

Applied Security Analysis

3. Why specifically do you believe you are a good fit for a career in money management?

4. Please describe your history of interest or participation in the area of investments.

Brand and Product Management

3. What personal qualities and past experiences have most directly influenced your decision to begin your career in brand management? Following up on the first question regarding career goals, given your personal interests, what would be one of your "dream" product management positions (industry, company, or product, etc.) immediately after your MBA? What do you see yourself doing in the longer term (ten to fifteen years out of MBA program)?

4. Give an example of a product that is marketed particularly well. Why? What is an example of a product that is not marketed well? What would you do to improve it?

  

Entrepreneurial Management

3. Describe an experience you have had with entrepreneurship (either starting, working in, or providing professional services for an entrepreneurial venture). How did it affect your career aspirations?

4. Entrepreneurs are often characterized as innovators. Describe something you have done that you consider to be especially innovative.

Marketing Research

3. Please describe any research you conducted on graduate programs and career choices. Why did this lead you to choose the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research? What specific types of industries and marketing research responsibilities are you most interested in pursuing after graduation?

4. What do you think it takes to be successful in marketing research? Why? How does your past experience demonstrate your ability to be successful as a marketing research professional?
 

Operations and Technology Management

3. Briefly describe three critical operations or technology management-related issues facing global businesses today (you may narrow this down to an industry with which you are familiar). Also describe why you think they are critical, and what you as a manager could do to address them.

4. Why are you, and what made you, interested in operations and/or technology management?
 

Real Estate

3. Why are you interested in Real Estate as your area of concentration? What specific aspects of real estate most interest you, and why?

4. What specific qualities and skills do you bring to the study and practice of real estate? Given your short and long run goals (Question #1), in which qualities and skills do you think you need strengthening? How do you see your development in the next two years? Please be as specific and concrete as possible.
 

Risk Management and Insurance

3. Who are the individuals and/or what are the events in your life that have led to your specific interest in pursuing a degree in risk management and insurance? Please explain.

4. In what area of risk management and insurance are you most interested? Provide a discussion of the current key issues associated with this field and the skills you bring to efforts in addressing those issues. Be as specific as possible.

Strategic Human Resources

3. To follow up on the question regarding your career goals, what type of organization would you like to work for and what would your roles and responsibilities be there? Now, jumping ahead another 15 to 20 years, please consider the same questions. What would you like to be doing and in what kind of organization? Finally, in what way or in what area of SHRM do you hope to make your biggest mark and why?

4. Thinking of the plans you just described, what are your reasons for choosing to do an MBA in SHRM at the University of Wisconsin? What is it about our program that will help you achieve your goals? What are the advantages and disadvantages of our program relative to other programs for what you would like to do?
 

Strategic Management in the Life and Engineering Sciences

3. In what ways have you been significantly influenced by your scientific and technical background? How have these influences shaped your career and personal objectives?

4. SMILES graduates will likely work with, at, and define the forefront of organizations where leading-edge science and business knowledge intersect. How might such roles have implications for public policy, environmental sustainability, or other broad social issues?

 

Supply Chain Management

3. List three critical supply chain management challenges facing business today and select one to discuss in depth.  Explain why the issue is important, including suggestions for how to address this challenge and examples from your own experience if applicable.

4. Successfully managing a business’ supply chain requires continuous innovation and leadership.  What personal qualities and experiences will make you an effective leader in this field?  What skills and experiences do you hope to gain and/or improve from the Grainger Center and MBA program?

Resume*

Submit a one-page resume outlining your academic achievements and business experience. To assist in the review process, please indicate the type of firm, the dates of employment and the scope of the operations for each organization for which you were employed.

Transcripts / Academic Records

Include official transcripts/academic records, which identify the degree, major, and courses completed from each educational institution attended since high school. If your degree and date awarded do not appear on your transcripts/academic record, submit an official certificate of the degree awarded. Records must have a seal and signature in ink from the institution's authorized official, such as the registrar or recorder of records. For degrees from international institutions, records must be in the original language of the institution attended, and accompanied by official English translations.

Three References / Recommendations

Select references who will provide a broad range of input. The online recommendation is strongly encouraged. If you are unable to use the online recommendation, download the recommendation form and mail to your recommendation provider, or email your provider the URL of the recommendation form. 

Evaluators should return the recommendation form to you in a sealed envelope with their signature across the sealed envelope flap. Download recommendation forms . . .

Graduate Management Admissions Test Score

Please direct the Educational Testing service to forward your test results to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (institution code: 79K-2S-72). The GMAT is required for applicants to the MBA program.  The test must have been taken within five years of term for which you are applying. For GMAT information and testing sites worldwide . . . 

Test of English as a Foreign Language Score

If English is not your native language, please direct the Educational Testing Service to forward your test results taken within two years of your intended start term to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (institution code: 1846). International applicants with undergraduate degrees from U.S. universities may request a waiver of this requirement. For more information on the TOEFL. . . 

International Applicant Financial Statement

All international applicants are required to submit evidence of financial resources either at the time of admission or once the applicant has been admitted. The School of Business will be unable to finalize admission and issue visa documentation until evidence of financial support for the duration of your program is provided. All signatures must be officially witnessed and/or notarized.  Download International Applicant Financial Statement

Please send supporting application materials to:

University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business
MBA Program Office
3150 Grainger Hall, 975 University Avenue
Madison, WI  53706-1323