Admission Requirements for Domestic Students
MS Business and Technology
On-Campus — Applied Research and Development Track
The Orfalea College of Business receives applications from a wide variety of applicants. The factors considered in the admission process are listed below.
- Possess an acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution
- Possess a competitive grade point average (GPA)
- Possess a competitive GRE or GMAT score
- Complete the CSU Mentor application
- Submit official transcripts from all previous colleges attended
- Submit a supplemental application
- Have two confidential letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf
- Demonstrate interest in (or prior experience) research project(s)
1. Possess an acceptable Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution
The Orfalea College of Business MS in BT Program is designed so that students holding an undergraduate degree in Industrial Technology or a closely related discipline are qualified to apply. You must have successfully completed your undergraduate degree prior to beginning the program.
2. Possess a competitive grade point average (GPA)
The mid-80% range GPA of individuals admitted into either the MBA or MS-BT programs is 2.9 to 3.7. The GPA is calculated using the last 90-quarter units (or your last 60 semester units) of study. We also evaluate the GPA in conjunction with the GRE or GMAT score - the stronger the GRE or GMAT score, the more latitude possible in the GPA.
3. Possess a competitive GRE or GMAT score
Selection of Exam - Options: The MS in BT program requires the submission of acceptable results from the GRE or GMAT exam. For reasons of flexibility BT students may want to consider taking the GMAT exam rather than the GRE because an acceptable GMAT score would be acceptable for both the BT and MBA programs.
A competitive GRE score is at least 1050.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test dates, times, and location can be found at this web site. In addition, free tutorial and test preparation downloads are available.
Note that this exam costs $115 and can be taken once per calendar month. Please take these factors into account as you prepare for the GRE.
Educational Testing Service (GRE) Web site: http://www.gre.org
Our mid 80% range GMAT is 550 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 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 score must be sent to Cal Poly
(GMAT Program Code: JQL-CM-99) (GRE ETS Code: 4038)
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 93407-00311) Major/Program Objective: Business & Technology On-Campus Appl'd Res & Devl Track (MS)
* 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
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 93407-0031Note: 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.
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 sender, 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
THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE RECOMMENDATION LETTER SHOULD SEND IT 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 interest in (or prior experience) research project(s)
Applicants must demonstrate an interest in (or previous experience with) research in an Industrial Technology related area. Of specific interest will be in the area of value chain management, packaging science and technology, technology entrepreneurship and innovation and/or industrial process and systems. It is recommended that applicants submit a letter of interest or examples of previously performed research. An interview, as a part of the selection process, to determine ability to contribute to ongoing research projects is likely.