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Home » Admissions » Admission Criteria » International Applicants

International Applicants

Work Experience

International students are strongly encouraged have a minimum of 2 years of full-time postbaccalaureate work experience before applying. Successful candidates typically have 3 to 5 years of experience.

There are good reasons why we stress work experience. First, without work experience, it will be difficult to contribute to team and classroom discussions. Second, most MBA employers aren't interested in hiring someone without this experience prior to B-school. International students must be sponsored by a company to work in the U.S., which makes the job search more challenging. Work experience puts you on equal footing with other MBAs and makes you more competitive for jobs.

Academic Requirements & Transcripts

You will be asked to submit official academic records (transcripts) as part of your application. All international applicants are required to hold a college or university degree equivalent to a four-year American baccalaureate degree. University policy requires completion of 16 years of education to be considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree. (Visit the FAQ for more details about 3-year bachelor's degrees and equivalency.)

Academic records from non-U.S. or Canadian schools must bear the original stamp or seal and signature of a school officer (e.g., registrar or dean) and be sent to the Office of Admissions from each institution attended. See the transcripts page or the application instructions (Section C) for details.

GPA Translation

We don't translate results from institutions without a 4.0 scale into a 4.0 "equivalent." Rather, we consider the results within the context of the institution and the country's educational system. This review is conducted by the Office of International Admissions.

English Language Examinations

For those whose native language is not English, Tippie requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Read more about the English Language exam requirements.

When to Apply

We encourage international students to apply for admission between December and March (the final deadline for international applicants is April 15). An early application will allow you sufficient time to secure a student visa should you be admitted.

Interviews

International applicants will be interviewed on an invitation-only basis after a preliminary review of your application by the admissions team. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you with more information.

Financing

Tippie considers all students for financial aid awards regardless of citizenship. You will be considered for financial aid at the time you submit your application, using the same criteria we use for admission.

Other Funding Sources

International students may apply for the MBA Loans Tuition Loan Program if a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident is available. The Global Student Loan Corporation also provides funding for international students.

Student Visas

Should an offer of admission be extended and accepted, international students are eligible to apply for a student visa. To meet the eligibility requirements for a student visa, international students must show proof of financial resources to pursue their course of study. Detailed information regarding the requirements and application process to obtain a student visa is sent to admitted students by the Office of International Admissions.

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