UMN Admissions Requirements: Part-Time MBA

You must complete the application online.

1. Under Program Selection tab, select 'University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Campus.'
2. Filter by college/school to 'Carlson School of Management.'
3. Under Carlson School of Management Programs, select 'Business Administration – Part-Time MBA.'

Unofficial transcripts can be submitted through the online application or emailed to [email protected] for attachment to your application file. All unofficial transcripts must include the institution’s name and the name of the applicant. Paper transcripts may be sent to 321 19th Ave. S, Room 1-110, Minneapolis, MN 55455

You will need to submit a transcript from each college or university where you have completed coursework before your application will be considered complete and reviewed by the admissions committee. This includes institutions where you have earned credit that transferred towards degree credit at another college/university. Third Party credential evaluation reports and degree planning audit documents are not accepted as equivalent to a transcript.

Official transcripts will be required if you are admitted to the program.

Minnesota Carlson's Part-Time MBA does not require GMAT/GRE scores. However, depending on personal qualifications, test scores may still be strongly recommended for certain candidates to demonstrate their abilities to complete the academic requirements of the degree.

When are test scores strongly recommended?

Test scores are strongly recommended, particularly for applicants with academic weaknesses (cumulative GPA is below B average) or deficits (below B grades in quantitative or relevant business coursework).

Applicants can take one of the following tests: GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, or MBA Math. The admissions committee does not prefer one test over the other, and we do not have minimum required scores. Applicants interested in pursuing a career in consulting or investment banking may consider taking the GMAT specifically, as a strong score could be an asset when applying to internships or full-time roles.

Unofficial test scores may be entered directly into the online application. Official test scores should be received before the application deadline for which you would like to be considered. MBA Math transcripts can be uploaded directly within the online application if they are complete at the time of submission.

If a candidate indicates at the time of application that they do not intend to submit scores with their application, they will be unable to submit test scores later. If they are denied admission to a term, they will need to re-apply with the addition of optional test scores for a future term.

Where do I send test scores?

• For GMAT, arrange for the testing service to send an official score report to code D2N-VJ-15, Carlson MBA. Results arrive 2-3 weeks after the test.
• For GRE, arrange for the testing service to send an official score report using institution code 8387. Results take 3-4 weeks to arrive.
• For MBA Math, please download and submit the MBA Math test transcripts via email to [email protected] if you plan on completing the exam following your application submission.

Use the online application to provide two professional references' names and contact information. We partner with GMAC for the common letter of recommendation.

Your recommendation providers will receive an email from [email protected]. The subject line will include your name and the words "Recommendation for the University of Minnesota." Please ask your providers to include this email address in their contact lists and to double-check their spam/junk mail folders if they don't receive the message. 

Note: A company email address is not required. Some companies have firewalls that prevent receipt of the recommendation request email. Recommenders should receive the recommendation request email within 12 hours of saving their contact information in the application. If recommenders do not receive the email within 12 hours, please try again with another email address. Best practice is to use a Gmail, Yahoo, or Hotmail email address for recommendations. Recommendation providers can submit their recommendations anytime, both before and after you submit your application.

To consider this section complete, we require two complete recommendations, but you can list up to four professional recommendations. The admission committee will review all completed professional recommendations.

Limit the statement to 1,200 words (three pages) and address the following questions:

• Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA at this time in your career? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so? Briefly describe your short-term (upon graduation from the program) and long-term (5-10 years after the program) career goals. Please be as specific as possible with roles, companies and/or industries.
• What excites you about being part of the Carlson School MBA program? Do you have a specialization that you are currently interested in and why?

Scholarship Essay Details

All applicants are invited to submit an essay to be considered for one of the 50% or 15% merit-based scholarships offered to admitted candidates entering the Part-Time MBA program. Scholarships will be awarded on a merit basis to a limited number of admitted candidates who demonstrate the potential to be exemplary contributors to the Carlson School community and possess outstanding academic and professional achievements. Selected students will be notified of their award at the time of admission.

This scholarship essay is not required for admission to the program but is required to be considered for the scholarship. The essay must also be submitted within the application, as no late or alternative submission methods will be accepted.

The scholarship is non-transferable to other Minnesota Carlson degrees, is not "stackable" with other scholarships or discounts, and may only be applied toward the Part-Time or Online MBA programs.

The scholarship essay prompt should address the following in no fewer than 300 words (one page):

• Can you tell us about a time you advocated for a more inclusive or more welcoming community, either professionally or personally? How do you plan to carry what you have learned from this experience forward and positively impact Minnesota Carlson?

Additional Considerations for Corporate Discount Applicants

Carlson corporate discount applicants may also submit an essay for the consideration of the available scholarships, but no "stacking" of scholarship awards and corporate discounts is allowed. Additionally, corporate discount candidates must also submit two letters of recommendation, along with the scholarship essay, to fulfill requirements for scholarship consideration.

Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application, for example:

• Explanation of employment gaps or academic weaknesses
• Quantitative abilities
• Choice of recommenders
• For re-applicants, improvements to your candidacy

Your statement should be limited to no more than 500 words (one page).

Proof of English Language Proficiency is required of all applicants and must be demonstrated in one of the following ways.

• Completed at least the last two years of a bachelor's degree or one year of graduate school (full-time) in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Anglophone Africa, or the English-speaking Caribbean and will provide official transcripts.
• Completed education solely in English in a country where English is not an official language with documented proof.
• Will provide the official results of an English language test taken within the last two years.

The following tests are all accepted:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• International Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
• Duolingo

For further details, visit the international applicants page.

The application fee is $75 (non-refundable) for U.S. citizens, international applicants, and U.S. residents with foreign credentials. Your application fee will be waived if you have been on active duty in the U.S. military within three years of submitting your MBA application.

Submit a current resume that includes job responsibilities and accomplishments. Resume can include part-time work, internships, graduate assistants, or co-ops as necessary. 

The video essay is a required component of the application that allows candidates to show the admissions committee the authentic you. Think of this video essay as if you were answering an interview question with a member of our admissions committee.

You will need to use a computer with camera and microphone capabilities. You will also need a strong internet connection for uploading the video. You will have the ability to test your technology before starting the video essay and submit a practice video essay. You can test your technology and run the practice simulation as many times as you wish to be comfortable with the format and technology. You will be able to review your practice video essay(s) and your recording(s) will not be saved beyond the testing phase and will never be reviewed.
You can also practice responding to impromptu questions offline with a friend or colleague before completing the video essay portion of your application.

You will be prompted to click "Ready" once you are prepared to submit an official video essay. You will be asked one impromptu question from a bank of imaginative or behavioral questions selected by our admissions team. Two minutes (120 seconds) will be provided to prepare an answer and two minutes (120 seconds) to record an answer. Recording will automatically stop after two minutes. You are not required to use the full two minutes. If you have time remaining once you complete your response, click the "Stop Recording" button to end the recording. You will only be provided one attempt to record your official video essay.

Video Essay Walkthrough Guide

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