We have compiled a selection of the questions prospective Full-time MBA students ask most frequently. If you are unable to find the answer to a specific question or wish to speak with someone directly, feel free to email or call us at 404.894.8722.

Short cuts to FAQ sections

General Information

Is this a heavily quantitative program?

The core curriculum of any MBA program tends to be quantitative in nature, which is why most MBA programs look for strong quantitative skills during the admissions process. The Georgia Tech program is no more quantitatively based than other MBA programs.

Because many students are interested in more quantitative and technical areas, like operations management and information technology management, we are sometimes viewed as a quantitatively based program. However, students may customize the electives portion of the program toward their particular interests, which may or may not be quantitatively focused.

What's the typical student profile in the program?

There is none. We have a wide variety of students with different academic and professional backgrounds. 75% of our students do not have business degrees.

Visit our class profile for more information.

How do students with non-technical backgrounds perform?

Students from all academic and professional backgrounds that are innovative and hard working excel in our program and go on to develop very successful careers. Core courses expose students to all functional areas of business. Students also choose from a variety of electives in areas such as organizational behavior, marketing, strategic management, as well as more technical areas such as operations, information technology and management of technology.

Do I have to declare a concentration?

Students do not declare a concentration area, but are able to customize their curriculum by choosing electives in one academic area or from multiple areas within the Scheller College of Business. Students who are undecided about a focus area find that completing the core courses helps them to identify their passion.

Do I need to know what job I want before I start?

No, it is quite common for MBA students to go through a "discovery period" during their first semester. In addition to your core courses, you'll have the opportunity to sit in on company presentations, talk to second year students and work with career advisors to help you make your decision.

Can I start the Full-time MBA program in the Spring semester?

The Full-time MBA program enrolls once per year, classes start in August and applications are only accepted for the Fall semester. The Evening MBA program accepts applications for the Spring and Fall semesters.

Can I complete the MBA program on a part-time or distance-learning basis?

The Full-time MBA program is a two-year, Full-time program only. The Evening MBA program follows a part-time flexible format. Classes are held in the evening, allowing working professionals to complete their studies at their own pace. All classes are held on-campus; there is no distance-learning option for Full-time and Evening MBA programs.

How do I learn more?

Current students know there is really no substitute for visiting campus in-person. Once you have narrowed your list of potential MBA programs, it is important to schedule a campus visit if possible. Each program has its own distinct, unique personality. While it's important to select programs that will help you in achieving your career goals, the emotional part of your decision is also significant. Visit a class, talk with current students, faculty and career service staff, and tour the business school.

Request program information:

To request a brochure/viewbook, complete the online Request Program Information Form.

Attend an on-campus Information Session:

Information Sessions are held at the College of Business year-round. Attending is a great way to meet students, admissions staff and faculty members while learning about the program.

Class visit:

We schedule Full-time MBA class visits during Fall and Spring semesters.

Off-campus events/MBA Ambassador

Unable to visit us in Atlanta? Georgia Tech participates in many national MBA conferences and fairs. View our upcoming event schedule.

You may also request to speak with an MBA Ambassador about a particular area of study, relocating to Atlanta, or other program questions. MBA Ambassadors are students currently enrolled in the Georgia Tech MBA program. Email your request or call the Admissions Office at 404.894.8722 to schedule.

Where is the Scheller College of Business and the MBA Admissions office located?

Our address is:

Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business
800 West Peachtree Street, NW
Suite 302
Atlanta, GA 30308-1149

The Scheller College of Business is located within Technology Square, a multi-building complex of facilities located in Midtown Atlanta that includes the Global Learning Center, the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, the Economic Development Institute, and the Georgia Tech Bookstore.

View an interactive map of the Georgia Tech campus.

How do I get to the College of Business?

View detailed directions and parking.

Are there hotels near campus?

Yes. There are many hotels to choose from near the College of Business and the Georgia Tech campus. Here are several options:

Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center

Located on campus – next to the College of Business

Click here for Georgia Tech rate

Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel

Very close (2 blocks) to the College of Business

Regency Suites Hotel

*Ask for Georgia Tech rate

Marriott Residence Inn

*Ask for Georgia Tech rate

Georgian Terrace

Hotel Indigo

Admissions

How are applications to the MBA Full-time program evaluated?

Applications to the MBA Program are evaluated on a rolling basis. Considered in the admission decision are undergraduate (and graduate, if applicable) academic performance, GMAT or GRE scores, TOEFL scores for international applicants, work experience, essays, interviews, letters of recommendation, and other documentation supporting the application. Applications are reviewed individually and are also compared to the students currently enrolled in the program (see class profile below) and to the current group of applicants.

The admissions committee evaluates several factors to make a decision. The first concerns the potential for academic success in the MBA program. In this phase, past academic work, GMAT or GRE scores and TOEFL scores (if applicable) are evaluated. In the second phase, the committee looks for leadership potential indicators — contributions to the MBA program, both inside and outside the classroom, and career fit. Work experience, essays, letters of recommendation and interviews are weighed heavily in this phase of the process.

What makes an application stand out among others?

There is no point system or secret formula; however, the school doesn't compromise quality. Students must demonstrate work experience, leadership, maturity, community activity, intellectual capacity and competitive academic credentials (GRE or GMAT score and GPA). Strengths in one area may compensate for weaknesses in another area.

What do I bring to my admissions interview?

Treat your admissions interview like an employment interview. Dress professionally and come prepared; bring your resume and do your research in advance.

When and how will I receive an admissions decision?

You will receive an admission decision approximately 4-6 weeks after your application is complete. You will always receive a letter by mail with your admission decision. Admission decisions cannot be given over the phone.

What is the admission profile on the recent class enrolled?

	2012 Entering Class Admission Statistics:
	Class Size	71
	Average GMAT Score	678
	Middle 80% GMAT Score Range	620-740
	Average GRE score	316
	Average Work Experience	5 years
	Average Undergraduate GPA	3.38

	MBA Classes entering 2011 and 2012:
	Total Enrolled	128

For more information on student demographics, visit the Class Profile page.

Is work experience required to be accepted in the program?

While we do not require work experience, we strongly recommend at least two to three years of professional work experience. Students enrolled in our program average approximately four years of work experience. In addition to their strong contributions they make to the classroom, students with substantial professional work experience find the MBA more enriching professionally and personally.

If you do not have professional work experience, discuss the contributions you can make to the program in your essays, based on internship experiences or leadership activities in your undergraduate program.

I don't have any undergraduate courses in business. Will that affect my chances of admission? Will I be at a disadvantage in my MBA classes if I haven't taken any business courses previously?

No, this will not affect your admission and you will not be at a disadvantage in classes. About 70% of our MBA students hold non-business undergraduate degrees. The admissions committee strives to admit students from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds. While the MBA core courses move at a fast pace, they do not assume previous business course work.

My undergraduate degree is in Business Administration and I have taken all the core courses already. Do I have to take them again or is there a way to waive courses?

Some core courses can be waived based on undergraduate coursework. Keep in mind that, while you may have completed business courses at the undergraduate level, the graduate versions of those courses are more rigorous and application-based.

If you waive a course, you must replace the hours with an elective, so waiving courses does not shorten the length of your program. The criteria to waive core courses are determined by faculty.

Are there any education prerequisites to the MBA Program?

Yes, there are two prerequisites:

Bachelor's degree: We welcome applicants with accredited bachelor's degrees from all academic backgrounds.
A college-level calculus course with a grade of "C" or better is required before starting the program. Applicants may be admitted to the program before this requirement is met, with the provision it's completed prior to Orientation.

What courses are acceptable to satisfy the calculus requirement?

You do not need to complete your calculus course at Georgia Tech. All college-level calculus courses, including business calculus, from a regionally accredited college or university are acceptable. Accredited classroom and online courses are applicable.

Am I eligible for admission to your program if I have an MBA from another institution?

If you have an MBA from an institution outside the U.S., you may be eligible for admission. If you have an MBA from another instutition inside the U.S., you are ineligible to qualify for admission to our MBA program.

Application Process

What are the application deadlines for the MBA Program?

	Application Deadlines:
	November 1	Funding I
	January 15	Funding II
	March 15	Final priority
	May 1	Space-available
	After May 1	Contact us for availability at 404.894.8722 or email

GMAT or GRE scores and letters of recommendation are due one month after the application deadline.

Visit the Apply page for a complete list of upcoming Full-time MBA deadlines, updates and more details on application requirements.

How can I apply?

Submit the online application. The online application enables you to create a username and password to save your work and return at a later time to complete.

What materials must be received before the application is considered complete and can be evaluated?

For a preliminary evaluation, application and GMAT or GRE scores are required. However, applicants cannot be admitted until all application documents are received, including the application, GMAT or GRE scores, academic transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation and TOEFL scores (if applicable).

What are the application essays?

There are two required essays and one optional essay.

1.) If you could host a dinner party and invite any four people, either living or dead, whom would you invite and what would the five of you discuss together? There is no right answer concerning the dinner guests; we want you to be creative and thoughtful in your response.

2.) Describe how your experiences, both professional and personal, have led you to the decision to pursue an MBA at Georgia Tech. How does this decision relate to your future career goals?

3.) (Optional) The Admissions Committee believes that the required essays address issues that help us learn about you and understand your candidacy for the MBA program, however, you may provide us with any additional information pertinent to your admission that has not been previously covered in the rest of the application. Feel free to discuss any unique aspects of your candidacy or any perceived weaknesses.

Please note that there is a 4,000 character maximum (including spaces) for each essay, so please be sure to keep that in mind should you choose to work on the essays in advance.

What should I do if I can't submit all application materials by the deadline?

Contact the MBA Admissions Office at 404.894.8722 or email us for assistance.

I am scheduled to take the GMAT, GRE or TOEFL exam(s) right before the application deadline, so I won't have my official scores in time. What should I do?

Test scores are due one month after the application deadline, so you have some additional time to submit scores. However, you can email or fax a copy to 404.894.4199 of your unofficial scores to the MBA admissions office. An admissions decision cannot be made until the official scores are received.

I want to send my official GMAT scores to Georgia Tech for the Full-time MBA program, what is the institute code?

The institute code for the Full-time MBA program is: HWK-54-37

I want to send my official GRE scores to Georgia Tech for the Full-time MBA program, what is the institute code?

The institute code for the Full-time MBA program is: 5248

How can I check the status of my application?

You can check on the status of your admission online at: Georgia Tech Graduate Admissions Website

If you still have questions or concerns after checking your status online, email us. Please note, we typically receive your official GMAT or GRE scores in about a week, but scores take additional time to post on the online application status check.

Is it possible to waive the GMAT or GRE?

No. A valid GMAT or GRE score is required of all applicants to the MBA program regardless of academic or professional background. No exceptions are made to this policy. The GMAT or GRE must be taken within five years of our receipt of your application. If your GMAT or GRE score is older than five years, you must retake the test.

Are applicants to the MBA Program required to interview?

Yes, however, admission interviews are by invitation only. If you're selected for an interview, an admissions representative will contact you to schedule. We encourage you to interview on-campus. However, if you're unable to come in person, we will schedule a phone or Skype interview. Full-time MBA applicants will interview with the Director of Admissions and Director of Career Services.

What if I am a permanent resident, is the application process different?

If you're a permanent resident of the United States, you must include a copy of your Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), both front and back, with your application. The remaining application process is the same as for U.S. citizens. Permanent residents are exempt from the TOEFL and are not required to submit financial documents.

International Applicants

Who is considered an international applicant?

Georgia Tech considers you an international applicant if you are neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident, regardless of where in the world you live.

What is the admissions process for international applicants?

International applications are evaluated in the same manner as U.S. applicants. Non-United States citizens may need to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Application processing may take longer due to the review of foreign academic transcripts and financial documents. We strongly encourage all international applicants to submit application materials early to expedite the admissions process.

Who is required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?

Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and whose native language is not English and have not successfully completed a year of college/university level study in the United States or another country where English is the primary/official language, like Australia or United Kingdom, must submit a valid TOEFL score. Scores are valid for two years.

Find a testing center and register for the TOEFL test

What is the minimum TOEFL score needed to be admitted?

The minimum TOEFL score is 100 on the Internet-based Test (iBT) or 600 on the Paper-Based Test (PBT).

I want to send my official TOEFL score to Georgia Tech, what is your institute code and department code?

Institute Code: 5248
Deparment Code: 02

Is financial aid available for non-United States citizens?

All applicants, including international students, are considered for funding. The primary form of funding for non-U.S. citizens is graduate assistantships. Funding is limited and is awarded based on merit.

Also a variety of privately funded loan programs may be available, view the International Students' page on Georgia Tech's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Website.

International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid programs.

How do I receive a visa?

All non-U.S. citizens must provide a certified financial statement outlining the financial resources available to them for their study in the United States. No visa documents will be issued until the Graduate Office receives documentation that the applicant has sufficient resources to meet the expenses for at least the first year of graduate study at Georgia Tech.

Certification of the availability of these funds must be included after admission and confirmation of intent to enroll. All documents must be originals. No photocopies or faxes will be accepted.

If a person or organization will be providing the funds on the student's behalf, an official letter of support from the sponsor is required. The letter should include the full name of the sponsor, his/her relationship to the applicant, and the amount and length of the support.

Georgia State Legislature approves tuition amounts annually, in April, I-20 processing begins each May. The I-20s will be delivered to the student via express mail.

A certified financial statement must:

Show available funds of at least $40,000
Be dated within six months of our receipt of your application
Be legible and in English
Show the equivalent of a U.S. dollar figure for the date of the statement, if funds are held in another currency

Does Georgia Tech accept evaluations of academic documents from private sources, such as Josef Silney or WES?

The Georgia Tech MBA Admissions Office does not accept any private evaluation of academic documents. Official transcripts and degree documents must be submitted at the time of application and the Georgia Tech Graduate Admissions Office will evaluate them.

What are the educational requirements for admission to the MBA program?

All applicants to the MBA Program must hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree to be considered for admission. A three-year degree is not equivalent to the US bachelor's degree. Neither professional designations nor work experience will count toward the fourth year of study.

Financial Information

What are the tuition and fees for the MBA Program?

	Annual Tuition & Fees (2013-2014)
	Georgia resident tuition		$26,466
	Non-resident tuition		$37,332
	Mandatory fees		$2,392

Note: Tuition and fees are applicable for the Full-time MBA program for the 2013–2014 academic year (fall 2013 and spring 2014 semesters) and are subject to change after any academic term.

Are there opportunities for funding or financial assistance?

Yes, more than 50% of Full-time MBA students receive funding from the College of Business including graduate assistantships (GAs) and fellowships. All applicants, resident and non-resident, who apply by January 15 are eligible for College funding consideration.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants are assigned to work with a faculty member or administrator in the College for up to 14 hours per week in exchange for a monthly salary and tuition reduction. The estimated value of an assistantship may be as high as $87,000 depending on the type of award and residency status.

Fellowships

The College of Business offers a limited number of fellowships to MBA students. You may be nominated by the MBA Admissions Committee for a fellowship upon completion of your application.

Other opportunities include:

Education Loans

MBA students may be eligible for education loans. To learn more about graduate financial aid and loan programs, visit Georgia Tech's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Website.

International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid programs. However, a variety of privately funded loan programs may be available, view the International Students page on Georgia Tech's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Website.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program

Effective August 1, 2011, qualified U.S. veterans may be eligible to receive financial support for tuition, mandatory fees, books and housing. Yellow Ribbon is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, and slots are limited. Visit the Registrar's Website for more information.

Additional information is available through the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Website or you may contact Georgia Tech's MBA Graduate Office with questions.

You may also review general information regarding financing your degree on mba.com

Career Development

Is an MBA a good path for someone looking to switch careers?

Yes. The MBA is a natural way of switching careers. When it's a competitive job market, a career change becomes more challenging. One of the keys to changing careers is obtaining a summer internship in the new field.

What support do you offer for job searches and career development?

The Jones MBA Career Center is a state-of-the-art facility that offers exemplary career resources and one-on-one career advisement for MBA students. The process begins in the summer before school starts by helping students develop individual plans that will lead to challenging and rewarding opportunities while enrolled in the program, upon graduation, and throughout their careers.

Our primary focus is for all students to have a great job by graduation. The following is a typical career development schedule for students enrolled in the Full-time MBA program:

Year 1

Summer (process begins before classes start)
- Meet with your career advisor who will work with you during the MBA program
- Update your MBA resume
- Create an initial career declaration worksheet to discuss with your advisor
- Complete CareerLeader, an online employment career assessment tool.
Fall Semester
- Complete 16 hour, 8 week Career Development Workshop.
- Attend fall recruiting corporate presentations
- Attend national career fairs
- Meet with your career advisor
Spring Semester
- Search for summer internship
- Meet regularly with advisor to enhance interview skills
- Participate in on-campus recruiting for internships

Year 2

Summer Semester
- Summer Internship
- Summer activity exploring other career opportunity
Fall Semester
35% of students typically accept permanent jobs from internships
- Attend fall recruiting corporate presentations
- Attend national career fairs
- Meet with your career advisor
Spring Semester
50-65% of students typically have accepted permanent jobs by the beginning of the second semester.
- Continue job search activities

Why are your employment numbers consistently high?

We believe it's a combination of the experience of our career advisors, the size of our program and career services involvement in the admission process.

We have a very experienced staff of advisors with college recruiting expertise and a wide-range of corporate experience. Advisors served in various career development, human resources and management roles at companies including AT&T, IBM and Wachovia.

The size of our program allows for more personal attention and a very low ratio of students to career advisor (25:1) compared to other schools.

Career Services is part of the interview and admission process. Our goal is to have every student graduate with the exciting career of their choice, and students are admitted with success in mind. We listen to your career aspirations and have a very open dialogue with you about your opportunity to reach that goal.

What placement success have students had?

Achievements include:

94% employed three months after graduation.
Consistently in the top-tier for employment record at graduation among all
U.S. News ranked Full-time MBA programs.
100% paid summer internship placement consistently for the past several years.

View the latest Georgia Tech job placement achievements and the graduate salary summary on the Full-time MBA Placement page.

Reapplication & Readmission

What is your policy on deferred admission?

Generally, admission can be deferred for one year. If you are admitted and want to defer your admission, contact the MBA office via email or on 404.894.8722 for more information.

If I have applied for admission previously, do I need to submit application materials again?

We keep your application for one year. If you are reapplying in the year immediately following your initial application, you will not need to resubmit the full application. You should submit a letter of reconsideration and an updated resume to us via email.

If it has been more than a year since you first applied, you must resubmit your application.

If I am not accepted and wish to re-apply for the next year, what advice can you give me to help me improve my application?

Applicants interested in having their applications reconsidered for the next admissions year should submit a letter of reconsideration, as well as an updated resume. The letter should address steps taken to improve the new application [e.g., new test scores (GMAT, GRE or TOEFL), additional coursework, additional work experience, etc.]

If I am not accepted, may I get feedback on my application?

We will be happy to provide feedback via e-mail or schedule a 15-minute interview, to discuss the reason(s) why an application was declined. Many of our applicants are good candidates for admission, but may not be competitive when compared to the current group of applicants.

Are re-applicants at a disadvantage because they applied previously?

No. Each application is reviewed on its own merits.