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The Orfalea College of Business receives applications from a wide
variety of applicants. The factors considered in the admission process
are listed below. You can expand ( )
each item for additional information.
- Possess an acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited
institution
| The Orfalea College of Business MBA Program
is designed so that students holding an undergraduate
degree in any discipline may qualify for admission. You
must have successfully completed your undergraduate program/degree
(or you will finish that degree/program by June). |
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- 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.
Applicants seeking admission into the MBA in Architectural
Management or MBA in Landscape Architecture Management
track ** must also submit a list
of ALL remaining courses needed to complete their undergraduate
degree. This list must include the course tile, number
of units and expected quarter and year it will be completed.
** These programs are restricted
to existing Cal Poly students currently in the related
undergraduate program. |
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- 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 website.
In addition, free tutorial and test preparation 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.
Pearson VUE (GMAT)
Website: http://www.pearsonvue.com
An official copy of your scores must be sent
to Cal Poly (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). |
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- Complete the CSU Mentor application
The application for admission is completed
and submitted via
CSU Mentor's website.
A non-refundable $55* check made
payable to California State University
is required for the admissions office to process your
application and should be sent directly to the Admission
Office at the following address:
Admission Office
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0031
For students interested in our MBA in Architectural Management
or MBA in Landscape Architecture Management**,
you can begin the application
process by downloading the paper application
(located on the CSU
Mentor website) and submitting it directly to the
Graduate Programs office (address below), along with all
other application materials.
Graduate Programs Office
The Orfalea College of Business
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0712
* The amount of this fee is subject
to change. Verify the current fee amounts on the CSU
Mentor website.
** These programs are restricted
to existing Cal Poly students currently in the related
undergraduate program. |
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- Submit official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
Do NOT send your
transcripts until you have submitted your application.
Unsolicited transcripts will not be processed by the Admissions
Office. We require official
transcripts from every college you've attended so that
your degree status can be verified, and your GPA calculated.
Send transcripts 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. |
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- 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
Supplemental
Application |
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- 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 93407-0712
Recommendations 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.
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- Demonstrate prior work experience
| Although not required, we prefer students
to possess some prior work experience. |
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Students interested in a Dual Degree Program
Applicants must apply to each program separately and meet the admission
requirements for both programs. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to apply to and be accepted by the MBA program
first. In addition to the above listed MBA program
requirements, applicants are advised to contact the other graduate
program coordinator/advisor for specific information on application
requirements.
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