Frequently Asked Questions

Admissions Application Tuition / Financial Aid

1. Who makes admissions decisions?
The Admissions Committee is composed of representatives from Admissions and Career Services, as well as faculty members and center directors.
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2. How soon can I expect to have an admission decision?
Applications are reviewed in multiple cycles. If your application is complete by one of the listed application deadline dates you wil be guaranteed a decision by the date listed.
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3. Do you accept applications for spring semester?
We do not offer spring admission. Since new students begin their studies as part of a cohort group, we only offer admission for the fall semester.
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4. Is an admissions interview required?
Formal admissions interviews will be required for all applications for Fall 2010 or later. Candidates who wish to schedule an interview can do so during our open interview time in the fall. Interviews need not be schedule before an applicant submits their application, but will need to be done before a final admission decision is made. Interviews can take place during our fall travel, can be done on campus, or by phone. http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/visit/interviews.asp
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5. I was unable to interview prior to submitting my application. Does this hurt my chances of being admitted?
An interview is a required part of the application process, however it does not need to be done prior to your submission of your application. See interviewing with the Wisconsin MBA for details.
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6. I have a three-year bachelor's degree. Am I eligible to apply?
It depends on your degree and university. In general, applicants with three-year degrees will need additional coursework to demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's degree. See International Degree Equivalents for more information.
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7. What are the prerequisites for the graduate business program?
There are no formal prerequisites for the Full-time MBA program. However, if you have not taken a statistics or economics course, both have proven to be beneficial for incoming MBA students.
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8. Do you accept transfer credits from other graduate programs?
No, we do not accept transfer credits. Students wishing to attend the Wisconsin MBA from other graduate programs should follow the regular application procedures and submit all application materials prior to the stated deadline.
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9. I am a current graduate student in another department at UW-Madison. How do I apply to the graduate business program?
You must also submit the required Business School application and all supporting materials including essays, a one-page resume, test scores, three letters of recommendation and all official transcripts. Please apply before the stated application deadlines. If a student is then admitted to the MBA Program they should complete an "Addition and/or Change of Major Form," available through the Graduate School, and submit it.
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10. May I pursue a Joint JD/MBA degree?
Yes, we offer a joint JD/MBA degree. It is ideal for candidates interested in both programs to apply to both the Law School and School of Business in the same year. The application process is separate for each school, however you only need to pay the application fee once. If admitted to both programs, candidates would defer the MBA admission one year.

Current law students can apply to the MBA program during their first year, however, there is no guarantee of admission.
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11. Can I pursue my MBA on a part-time basis?
Students who wish to pursue an MBA on part-time basis should consider the Evening MBA or the Executive MBA programs. Students admitted to the full-time MBA program are required to take a full credit load associated with their career specialization.
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12. If accepted into the program, can I defer admission?
We do not automatically defer admission, however you may contact the Director of MBA Admissions to discuss your options. Otherwise if you wish to be considered for a future term, we will require you to re-apply to the MBA program. If you are re-applying within a year, you can follow the re-application process: http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/reapp/.
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13. How much work experience is required for admission?
A minimum of two years of professional work experience is required for applicants to the MBA program. However, exceptional candidates with limited work experience will be considered.
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14. What are the educational requirements for international students?
International applicants are required to have the equivalent of a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree. Minimum degree equivalents for some countries are listed below. These are general guidelines. Requirements may vary between universities within a country.
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15. Can I set up a campus visit?
Prospective students are encouraged to come to Madison and experience first hand what it is like to attend the Wisconsin MBA. A typical day for a visit would be to attend a MBA class, meet with current students, center directors, and admissions staff, and to take a tour of Grainger Hall.

It is ideal for you to arrange your campus visit during the fall or spring semesters, mid-September to mid-November or early February to mid-April. MBA classes are not typically held on Friday, so if possible, plan to visit Monday through Thursday. Please visit http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/visit/oncampus.asp to schedule a visit.
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16. I am an undergraduate student. Can I apply?
Anyone can apply to the MBA program. However, we do prefer that our candidates have at least 2 years professional work experience before starting the program.
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17. What are the general requirements for the program?
The minimum admissions requirements include a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of two years professional work experience, GMAT, English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE for applicants whose native language is not English or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English), evidence of adequate financial resources (international candidates only), and computer literacy. A detailed list can be found at http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/checklist/requirements.asp
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18. What is a competitive GMAT score?
The average GMAT score is in the mid 600's.
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19. What are the requirements for the TOEFL?
Applicants whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English, must complete either the Internet-based TOEFL (100 or higher), IELTS (7.5 or higher) or PTE (73 or higher, 80 or higher on written). 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.
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20. Do I need an undergraduate business degree to be admitted?
No. Many Wisconsin MBA students have undergraduate degrees in science, engineering, math, law, humanities, social science, and other majors.
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21. Is there a minimum GPA required for admission?
There is not a minimum GPA requirement. Our current average GPA is 3.4. Students who are admitted with a GPA below a 3.0 are admitted on a probationary status and must maintain a 3.0 or higher in the fall semester in order to continue with the program.
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22. Can I schedule an appointment with a professor?
It may be possible for you to meet a professor; however, we ask that you schedule a campus visit through the MBA Program Office and request time to discuss the program with a faculty member. To arrange a visit please complete our visit request form: http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/visit/oncampus.asp
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23. Can I re-apply to the MBA program?
Yes. If you applied to the Wisconsin MBA within the last year and would like to re-apply for the current enrollment term, please follow the steps on this webpage: http://www.bus.wisc.edu/mba/reapp/
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