Admissions

The GMAT Focus/GMAT, and GRE are optional for candidates who earned an accredited US undergraduate degree and have two years of professional work experience.  You can apply for the test waiver by completing the waiver request form.

Candidates who are below a 3.0 GPA are strongly encouraged to take either the GMAT Focus or GRE to show the admissions committee they have the academic ability to handle the rigors of the MBA program.

Interested in submitting a test score for your application?

• Preparation is essential to get a good GMAT Focus score. Statistics from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) confirm a study hours/score correlation.
• A Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT Focus or GMAT) score is preferred. The test should be taken within five years of the term for which you are applying. Please direct the testing service to forward your test results to the University of Wisconsin–Madison (institution code: 79K-2S-72).
• A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score will also be accepted. Please direct the testing service to forward your test results to the University of Wisconsin–Madison (institution code: 1846).
• We look for students with strong verbal and quantitative skills, however there is no minimum score requirement for the GMAT Focus/GMAT or GRE. (See how your scores compare with our student base: Class Profile)

A TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score is required for international students. The requirement can be waived if you have an undergraduate or master’s degree that was taught in English.
For more information, view International Applicant details.

Include past work experience, educational accomplishments, demonstrations of leadership, and ways in which you have grown professionally.

• Download the résumé template
• View the Wisconsin MBA Career Management Résumé Guide

The short answer questions are required and are an opportunity for you to share more information about your career goals. Please answer the questions in full. Essay responses are limited to 600 words each.

1. The Wisconsin MBA allows you to specialize in a functional area of business, please tell us why you have selected that functional area of business. What are your post MBA career goals and how will the specialization help you reach your career goals?  If you selected still exploring with two specializations, please make sure to address both specializations included in your application.
2. Please share a time when you created a more welcoming community, whether personally or professionally. How will you use what you learned from this experience to make a positive impact during your time in the Wisconsin MBA?
3. The Wisconsin School of Business is a values-driven community dedicated to preparing leaders who will positively impact business and society. Which of the school’s core values – Collaboration, Humility, Trust, Innovation, or Integrity – resonates most with you, and how have you demonstrated leadership in that area within your current or previous company or community organization?

Please use this optional essay to communicate additional information about yourself that is not otherwise represented in the application and that you feel would benefit the admissions committee.
Limit essay response to 600 words.

• One recommendation is required; the admissions committee will accept up to two.
• Ask someone familiar with your professional accomplishments to provide a recommendation addressing your leadership or management potential.
• This individual may be a current or past supervisor or manager, a client or vendor, or a representative of a volunteer or community organization in which you are involved.
• You will enter your recommender’s name and email address into your application. The recommender will then receive an email with a link to your recommendation form. The recommendation forms are submitted separately from your application upon its completion. Do not wait for your recommender to submit their recommendation before submitting your application; however, your application will not be reviewed without the recommendation form.

• $75 for both domestic and international students (additional $6 processing fee for international students).
• Fee waivers available if active duty in the U.S. Military within five years of applying.
• Payment by credit or debit card through the online application system; required to learn admissions decision.

Admissions interviews are by invitation only, with invitations extended after applications have been reviewed. Interviews will be with a member of the admissions committee.