Frequently Asked Questions
Application and Admission Questions
- What is the application deadline?
- When should I start applying for the program?
- What are the factors used in determining if I get into the program?
- What entrance exam (GMAT/GRE) score and GPA will be considered competitive for admission?
- If I have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score does the admissions committee consider?
- Can I substitute the GRE for the GMAT?
- How should I study for the GMAT?
- How do I sign up for the required entrance exam and how much does it cost to take?
- When is the latest I can take the required entrance exam and why is when I take the exam so important?
- What about my letters of recommendation? Whom should I ask to write them?
- I have just completed my undergraduate program and do not have full-time work experience - is admission possible?
- Are there any prerequisite courses required, since I possess no business background?
- Do I get special consideration if I was a Cal Poly undergrad?
- Can/should I apply if I am a very recent Cal Poly graduate who majored in business?
- If I have already completed MBA classes at another university may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?
- I'd like to apply to an OCOB graduate business program but I cannot submit all materials required at this time. Can I submit items separately or must everything come in at once?
1. What is the application deadline?
There are different deadlines based upon the program desired and the residency status of the applicant. Therefore it's best that you review the "Admissions" section of this web site for specific details. In general, international applicants for either the MBA program, EMP program or MS in BT program must submit an application by November 30th and ALL application required materials no later than April 1 st. Domestic applicants to the MBA program, MS BT program and EMP program must satisfy a July 1st deadline for submitting their application.
2. When should I start applying for the program?
The sooner the better. The OCOB Graduate Programs office makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis and as a result there is no guarantee that there will be space remaining by the deadline. Therefore, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed application materials well in advance of the applicable deadline.
3. What are the factors used in determining if I get into the program?
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of achieving AACSB recommended
standards for admission primarily based on GPA and GMAT (and where
applicable GRE) achievement. Some candidates who receive lower
than average GPA and/or GMAT scores may be evaluated based on
additional factors such as work experience, their statement of
purpose, and letters of recommendation.
Applicants to the the MBA - Architectural Management track and
the MBA - Landscape Architecture Management track are also evaluated
on the basis of the number of type of courses that remain to be
completed in their undergraduate program.
4. What entrance exam (GMAT/GRE) score and GPA will be considered competitive for admission?
With respect to GPAs, the University requires a minimum GPA of 2.5, however, a 3.0 or greater is strongly preferred. The GPA is calculated using the last 90 quarter units (or last 60 semester units) of study. GPA competitiveness 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.
Admission consideration for applicants to the MBA or EMP program requires a minimum score of 530 on the GMAT. However, please note that over the past several years admitted applicants had on average received a GMAT score in the 580 - 700 range. The latitude between our minimum score to qualify for review and our average admitted applicant score reflects our practice of evaluating the GPA in conjunction with the GMAT, with a strong GMAT providing an applicant a competitive advantage.
For applicants to the MS BT program, we require a minimum score of 530 on the GMAT or a 1050 on the GRE exam to be considered for admission.
For a more detailed profile of our most recent class of students, please see the Demographics link to our web site.
5. If I have taken the GMAT multiple times, which score does the admissions committee consider?
The exam result with the highest total score.
6. Can I substitute the GRE for the GMAT?
If you are applying to the MBA (any specialization) or the EMP program the answer is "no". The GMAT is required of all applicants to these programs. While we sometimes receive applications from prospective students who have advanced degrees that required sitting for other high-level standardized tests, such as PhDs, JDs or MDs, the requirement to take the GMAT is never waived.
If you are applying to the MS BT program, either exam is acceptable. However, note that should you wish to pursue a dual degree (MBA and MS BT) or if you may want to switch from the MS program to the MBA program at a future date it would be wise to consider taking the GMAT instead of the GRE.
7. How should I study for the GMAT?
The GMAT exam can be a challenging exam that should be taken only after you have carefully prepared. The best way to gauge the amount of studying that is required is to go to the GMAT web site and download the free practice exam software. This software includes a full length practice exam that provides a good indicator as to the success you will achieve on the actual exam. We also recommend that students also consider purchasing one or more GMAT preparation books that are on the market to further increase their opportunity for success on the exam. Be sure to take practice exams under timed conditions.
The GMAT exam should not be taken without preparation and a thorough understanding of best methods to use in taking this exam. The Admissions section of our web site has additional details regarding this exam along with a useful Power Point presentation that provides valuable tips on how to successfully study for and take the GMAT exam.
8. How do I sign up for the required entrance exam and how much does it cost to take?
The Graduate Management Admission Test ( GMAT) is administered by Pearson VUE. The test dates, times, and location can be found and you may schedule an appointment at http://www.mba.com/mba. This exam costs approximately $250.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test dates, times, and location can be found and you may schedule an appointment at: http://www.gre.org . This exam costs approximately $115.9. When is the latest I can take the required entrance exam and why is when I take the exam so important?
You can take the GMAT or GRE only once per calendar month. Since these exams can only be taken once a calendar month, it is advisable to not to wait too late in the application cycle to take the required exam. To optimize you chances for admission you may want to allow for the possibility that the exam may need to be taken more than once to score a competitive score. Careful planning, to allow for sufficient time to retaken the exam should it become necessary, is advised.
10. What about my letters of recommendation? Whom should I ask to write them?
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 title or status of those you select is not important. What does matter is how closely your letter writers have worked with you and whether they can attest to your value as an employee, your professional accomplishments, and your personal qualities and interpersonal skills in an organizational context.
Letters of recommendation from co-workers, someone you have supervised, or personal and family friends are inappropriate, show poor judgment and can even be detrimental to the review of your application.
11. I have just completed my undergraduate program and do not have full-time work experience - is admission possible?
While we like to see applicants with solid full-time work experience, it is not a necessity. One of the unique attributes of our program is that we allow recent and in some cases new graduates from technical fields such as engineering, computer science, the sciences, architecture, etc. to enter the program to gain the foundational business knowledge they need to advance and succeed in their future chosen technical field.
12. Are there any prerequisite courses required for admission into the MBA program, since I possess no business background?
No. One of the unique attributes of our program is that we do not require applicants to take prerequisite courses before they are admitted into the program. Instead of the program has been carefully designed to provide students, without a business education, all the business skills, knowledge and competencies needed to be successful business leaders. With that said, having some previous course work under your belt in statistics, finance, accounting and/or economics can be a plus.
13. Do I get special consideration if I was a Cal Poly undergrad?
All applicants to the various graduate programs offered by the OCOB are held to the same requirements. Previous Cal Poly attendance does not provide an advantage for admission.
14. Can/should I apply if I am a very recent Cal Poly graduate who majored in business?
We will consider such applications and do admit a select and limited number of such applicants each year. But in general we encourage such applicants to first gain full-time work experience and then apply, or if they wish to pursue their MBA right away to look to other programs and locations in order to broaden their educational experience.
15. If I have already completed MBA classes at another university may I waive some of the classes or transfer credit?
Given that our MBA program is 60 units, we rarely transfer MBA credit from other universities, so in general any work that you had completed at other institutions would not count toward a degree at Cal Poly. To the extent it would be allowed it would be one course, two at the very most.
16. I'd like to apply to an OCOB graduate business program but I cannot submit all materials required at this time. Can I submit items separately or must everything come in at once?
It is not uncommon for applicants to submit their materials as they complete them and not together as a complete packet. For applicants that know that one element of their application packet will be delayed, we recommend that they submit all elements as soon as they are complete and then email us to let us know when the remaining element(s) can be expected. In that way, frankly, we are on notice of your interest to apply to the program and also know when to expect the remaining elements to make the admission decision.