MBA Frequently Asked Questions

• The Smith School of Business
• MBA Curriculum and Policies
• Admissions
• Financial Aid
• International Students

FAQ: The Smith School of Business

What is the best way for me to find out more about the Smith School of Business?
What are the program prerequisites?
Is there spring admission?
Is your MBA program accredited?

What is the best way for me to find out more about the Smith School of Business?

You've already begun the process by browsing the Smith School of Business' Web Site. The best way to find out more about us is to visit our campus and meet with Smith staff, faculty, and students. You can do so through our Visitors Program or Host Program. In the fall and January, it is possible that an admissions representative will be attending an MBA forum or fairs in a city near you.

Click here to find out about admissions events around the United States, Latin America, and Asia.

What are the program prerequisites?

Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a United States' bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in order to be eligible for graduate study at the University of Maryland. The Smith MBA assumes no prior knowledge of or background in business. However, due to the quantitative rigors of our program, the Admissions Committee requires that admitted applicants demonstrate strong quantitative skills prior to matriculation. This can be demonstrated by having taken and passed a calculus course within the last five years prior to applying, or having scored in the top 25th percentile of the GMAT quantitative section. If an admitted applicant does not meet either of these qualifications and would like to be waived from these requirements, he or she should address a letter to the Admissions Committee with justification for waiver. Applicants who are admitted will be notified in their admission letter if and only if they are required to complete calculus.

Is there spring admission?

No. The Smith School of Business only admits new students for the fall semester.

Is your MBA program accredited?

Yes. The MBA program at the Robert H. Smith School of Business is accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting.

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FAQ: MBA Curriculum and Policies

When do classes begin?
How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?
How many credits do program participants take per semester?
Can I waive out of classes and complete less than 54 credits?
Are transfer credits accepted?

When do classes begin?

The MBA program begins in August with a required Orientation program. Spring admission is not an option for the MBA program.

How long does it take to complete the degree requirements?

The requirement for a Master of Business Administration is 54 credit hours. This program can be completed in two years. The degree requirements for joint degrees range from 66 to 88 credit hours. These programs take on average three to four years to complete.

How many credits do program participants take per semester?

Typically 15 hours per semester are completed.

Can I waive out of classes and complete less than 54 credits?

While it is possible to waive a few core courses, the waivers do not reduce the total number of credits required for the degree.

The following core courses may be waived if the following conditions are met.

Are transfer credits accepted?

Transfer credits are not accepted for students entering the full-time program.

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FAQ: Admissions

When should I submit my application?
What is required to apply?
If something is missing from my application, will it still be reviewed?
If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I reapply?
Is work experience a requirement for the MBA program?
What is an acceptable grade point average?
What is an acceptable GMAT?
My GMAT/GPA/work experience is lower than I'd like. Is it still worth my time to apply?
Does every applicant to the MBA program have to take the GMAT?
Does the person writing my recommendation have to use the form provided?
How do I schedule an interview?
If I have been admitted, may I defer my admission?

When should I submit my application?

Ideally, you should submit your completed application as early in the admission cycle as possible. Since admission and financial aid decisions are made on a rolling basis, early applicants are at an advantage. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Click here for a list of application deadlines.

What is required to apply?

Click here for a complete listing of all application requirements for international and domestic applicants.

If something is missing from my application, will it still be reviewed?

Applications are not reviewed until the application package is complete. The Admissions Committee will not consider any incomplete applications. The only item missing from the application packet should be the official copy of the GMAT, which will be sent directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS). In order to be considered for a particular deadline, you must have taken the GMAT by that deadline. It is recommended to submit a photocopy of your unofficial GMAT scores with your application.

If I applied last year and was not accepted, how do I reapply?

The Masters Program Office maintains applicant files for one year. If you wish to reapply in one year, submit a new application form, applicant fee, and an updated résumé. At your discretion, you may also submit a new GMAT score, TOEFL score, letters of recommendation, and/or essays.

Is work experience a requirement for the MBA program?

Although work experience is not a requirement, it is highly preferred. Approximately 97 percent of the applicants offered admission have a minimum of two years of professional work experience.

What is an acceptable grade point average?

The Admissions Committee recognizes that there are many aspects to an undergraduate experience and encourages applicants to share the details of that experience in an optional essay. Few accepted applicants have a grade point average below 3.00/4.00. Those who do have exceptional characteristics in other areas. Click here to see the most recent profile of MBA students at Smith.

What is an acceptable GMAT?

The Smith School does not use a cut-off system for GMAT scores. However, applicants with weak GMAT scores must have exceptional qualifications in other areas to be considered for admission. Click here to see the most recent profile of MBA students at Smith.

My GMAT/GPA/work experience is lower than I'd like. Is it still worth my time to apply?

Yes. Every application is considered in its entirety. If you have weak points in your application, the Admissions Committee will search for stronger points to counterbalance them.

Does every applicant to the MBA program have to take the GMAT?

Yes, the GMAT is required for all MBA applicants.

Does the person writing my recommendation have to use the form provided?

The person does not have to respond directly on the form but should answer all of the questions provided. The form should be signed and submitted along with any attached responses.

How do I schedule an interview?

Interviews are granted exclusively at the invitation of the Admissions Committee after your completed application has been received and reviewed. Candidates who are invited to interview but do not conduct an interview will not receive an offer of admission.

If I have been admitted, may I defer my admission?

Admitted students begin their MBA program in the semester for which they have applied. If a student needs to request a deferral for an emergency medical reason, the admissions committee will consider requests on a case-by-case basis.

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FAQ: Financial Aid

What is the cost of the Smith MBA program?
How do I apply for financial aid?

What is the cost of the Smith MBA program?

Click here for a detailed breakdown of tuition, fees, and other costs. Determination of in-state status is made by the Residency Classification Office at the time an application is under consideration. For a complete list of residency requirements, please contact the Residency Classification Office.

How do I apply for financial aid?

All applicants to the full-time MBA program whose applications are complete by January 15 are automatically considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships when the Admissions Committee evaluates the application for admission. Award notification is made in writing approximately two weeks after offers of admission are extended.

US citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to apply for additional financial aid in the form of loans. Click here for more information on financial assistance.

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FAQ: International Students

What exactly defines an "international applicant"?
Is the 12-3 curriculum sufficient?
I'm an international student. I have been living in the U.S. for several years. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?
Can I wait until I've been admitted to submit my Certificate of Finance Form?

What exactly defines an "international applicant"?

The University of Maryland at College Park defines an international applicant as any applicant who is not a US citizen or permanent resident.

Is the 12-3 curriculum sufficient?

No. The University of Maryland at College Park does not consider the 12-3 curriculum to be the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree nor will an additional year of education suffice. Those who have gone through a 12-3 program must also secure a 2-year Masters degree or a two year, full-time PGDM from an institution recognized by the University of Maryland in order to be qualified for admission to the MBA Program.

I'm an international student. I have been living in the US for several years. Do I still need to take the TOEFL?

If you have earned a degree at a US institution or at an institution in a country whose native language is English (i.e. Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, English-speaking Canada, etc.), you will be waived from the TOEFL exam. Otherwise, all international students are required to take the TOEFL and submit their scores. TOEFL scores are valid two years.

Can I wait until I've been admitted to submit my Certificate of Finance Form?

Yes, you can have an admission recommendation made on your file without submitting your certification of finance form.  Please be aware a formal admission decision cannot be rendered and an I-20 visa application cannot be produced until your financial documentation is received.

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