MBA & MS (Engineering Discipline) Dual Degree:
Admission Requirements (International)
The Orfalea College of Business receives applications from a wide variety of applicants. The factors considered in the admission process are listed below.
1. Possess an acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution
2. Possess a competitive grade point average (GPA)
3. Possess a competitive GMAT score
4. Complete the CSU Mentor application
5. Submit official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
6. Submit a supplemental application
7. Have two confidential letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf
8. Demonstrate prior work experience
9. Take the TOEFL or IELTS
10. Additional Admissions Requirements
1. Possess an acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution
You must have successfully completed your undergraduate program/degree.
2. Possess a competitive grade point average (GPA)
Our mid 80% range GPA is 2.8 to 3.75. The GPA is calculated using the last 90 quarter units (or last 60 semester units) of study. GPA requirements vary with the undergraduate degree, and we therefore consider and make adjustments for students coming from programs/schools without grade inflation or with a reputation for rigor. We also evaluate the GPA in conjunction with the GMAT - the stronger the GMAT, the more latitude available for the GPA.
3. Possess a competitive GMAT score
Our mid 80% range GMAT is 580 to 690.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is administered by Pearson VUE. The test dates, times, and location can be found at this web site. In addition, free tutorial and test preparation software downloads are available. Note this exam costs approximately $250 and can be taken once per calendar month. Please take these factors into account as you prepare for the GMAT. Click here for GMAT study tips.
An official copy of your scores must be sent to Cal Poly
(GMAT Program Code: JQL-CM-82)
If the testing service offers an unofficial copy of your score, you can fax it to us for a preliminary review (Graduate Program fax number: (805) 756-0110).
4. Complete the CSU Mentor application
The application for admission is completed and submitted via CSU Mentor's web site.
A non-refundable $55* fee is required for the admissions office to process your application. The fee may be paid online or sent directly to the Admission Office at the following address:
Admission Office
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031Note that for these informal engineering (non-EMP) dual degrees, the application process begins with applying to one of the desired programs via completing an application. Once admission in one program is granted, students may begin to pursue admission into the second program. This is done by contacting the second program directly to determine the requirements to add the program. Traditionally, students adding a second program are held to the same admission standards as all other applicants, however, the submission of the materials may vary. If granted permission to add the second program, a "Change of Objective" form is completed to document the additional degree goal. It does not matter which degree program a student is admitted to first; however, because the admission requirements for the MBA program are more structured and rigorous, students often find it more beneficial (and are strongly encouraged) to apply to the OCOB MBA program first and then add the second degree in their engineering discipline.
* The amount of this fee is subject to change. Verify the current fee amounts on the CSU Mentor's web site.
5. Submit official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
We require official transcripts from every college you've attended so that your degree status can be verified, and your GPA calculated. All official transcripts must be submitted in the native language and accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must be certified by one of the following:
- Institute for International Education (IIE)
- Amideast
- Saudi Arabian Education Mission
- United States embassy or consulate
Your international academic credentials must also be evaluated by one of the following agencies. You will be responsible for arranging the evaluation of your international academic credentials and having the evaluation sent to the Admissions Office.
| Agency | Cost and Report Required |
|---|---|
| American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) | $75.00 (Basic Statement of Comparability) |
| Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI) | $100.00 (Basic Report) |
| World Education Services, Inc. (WES) | $100.00 (Document-by-Document Report) |
Official transcripts and evaluation results should be mailed directly to:
Admission Office
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
Note: Transcripts are not needed from students who received their undergraduate degree from Cal Poly and have not attended any other colleges or universities since their graduation from Cal Poly.
Do NOT send your transcripts until you have submitted your application. Unsolicited transcripts will not be processed by the Admissions Office.
6. Submit a supplemental application
The supplemental application provides additional information about our applicants that we would not otherwise get from the regular application. Download the information below and mail your responses directly to:
Graduate Programs Office
The Orfalea College of Business
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0712
7. Have two confidential letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf
Letters of recommendation can be from an academic source or your employer. Select individuals with whom you have had considerable professional or academic interaction such as your supervisor, a major client or a professor who has worked closely with you.
The letter of recommendation should include the name of the recommender, their position/title, organization and address, how long they have known the applicant and under what circumstances. Topics of discussion recommended as useful in our admission decision include your:
- Drive, persistence and initiative
- Intellectual and leadership ability
- Maturity
- Ethics and character, in both an academic and professional context
- Major professional and/or academic accomplishments
- Motivation to pursue a graduate degree
- Interpersonal skills
- Analytical ability
- Planning and resource management skills
- Oral and written communication skills
- General strengths and weaknesses
RECOMMENDER SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR RECOMMENDATION DIRECTLY TO
Graduate Programs Office
The Orfalea College of Business
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0712Recommendations are not subject to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The applicant will not have access to recommendations under that law.
8. Demonstrate prior work experience
Although not required, we prefer students possess some prior work experience.
9. Take the TOEFL or IELTS
Applicants whose undergraduate work consist primarily in a language other than English, must take either the combined TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination. TOEFL Scores must be at least 550 on a paper-based test, at least 213 on a computer-based test, or at least 80 on the new internet-based exam. IELTS scores must be at least 6.0. These scores must be submitted directly to the following address:
Admission Office
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
USA
Scores are waived for the following countries:
Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Canada (except Quebec), Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, New Zealand, St. Lucia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
| Educational Testing Service (TOEFL) Web site: http://www.toefl.org |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Web site: http://www.ielts.org |
10. Additional Admissions Requirements
The Admissions Office requires that all International students complete and submit the following forms. Failure to submit these forms will result in the application not being processed. All forms must be submitted directly to the Admission Office by the application deadline.
Admission Office
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
USABanking Statement
Have a current banking statement sent in English to Cal Poly verifying the amount of funds in U.S. dollars to support your educational expenses. (must show a minimum of $36,000.00 USD)Graduate applicants please note:
Verified Scholarships, fellowships, stipends, or grants may be used to substitute for part of the required amount.