MBA Admission Requirements

GPA

Requires a minimum of 2.5 if the applicant has extensive business and/or leadership experience. Otherwise, a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required.

GMAT/GRE Scores

GMAT or GRE is not required but optional for MBA applications. A score of 450 or better.

English Proficiency Test only for applicants with prior degrees not conducted in English

International Students

All graduate and postbaccalaureate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education at the postsecondary level was principally in a language other than English, must demonstrate competence in English.

English Language Proficiency Tests

Required scores and exams accepted are:

English proficiency exam scores for international students

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL iBT Home Edition and MyBest scores accepted

80 iBT

80 iBT

100 (MA English Applicants)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

6.5

7.0 (MA English Applicants)

Duolingo English Test

105

120 (MA English Applicants)

English Proficiency Waiver

  • If you possess a bachelor’s degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction
  • If you have studied at least 3 years of full‐time enrollment at a college/university where English is the principal language of instruction
  • If you have completed and passed a level six from the Cal Poly English Language Institute (CPELI). This waiver is only applicable for graduate students. For more information regarding the CPELI program, please visit their official website
  • Countries where English is the national language include: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada (except Québec), Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, South Africa, Trinidad, the United Kingdom, the United States, Virgin Islands and Wales

Résumé- No More Than 2 Pages

A current résumé outlining your academic background, professional experience, and relevant accomplishments.

Letter of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation is required from a professional familiar with your work performance or an academic professor familiar with your academic success.

Statement of Purpose- No More Than 2 Pages, Double-Spaced, 12-Point Font.

A brief personal essay that includes the following:

  • Provide a brief introduction, including your educational background and career experience.
  • Your motivation for pursuing an MBA
  • How the MBA aligns with your career goals
  • How are you preparing yourself for the expectations of graduate school

Writing Prompt – 250-300 Words (Maximum)

Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did you react to it, how did it affect you and finally, reflect on the key takeaways from the experience?”

Follow Up

Once you have submitted your application online and paid the fee, you should receive correspondence from Admissions & Enrollment Planning with a Bronco ID number. You can use that ID number to login to your Bronco Direct account and check on the status of your application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check his/her account and follow up with both Admissions & Enrollment Planning and the Graduate Business Administration office to see that all required documents are received prior to the deadline dates.

General Admissions Requirements for International Students

For international applicants, the same general admissions requirements as stated above apply. However, international applicants are also required to provide the following information in addition to the CSU application:
1) Affidavit of Financial Support
2) Agreement to Purchase Cal Poly Pomona Group Health Insurance
3) Supplementary Information of International (VISA) applicants
Please contact Admissions & Enrollment for more information on international admissions.

For more information about graduate student application requirements, follow the link to the Main Admissions office.