Admissions

Pre-MBA Checklist

Your first semester at Tippie may mark a return to school after several years away from the books. Before classes begin, we recommend that you refresh your skills and get a head start on learning new information, as well as getting a jump on your internship search.

Download a printable checklist (Word or PDF) with a list of tasks to complete before classes begin.

1. Tippie Jumpstart: A Head Start to Your MBA Job Search

MBA Career Services and the rest of the Tippie team is eager to partner with you in preparation of your internship search and career development. Tippie Jumpstart provides you with information and guidance to get you started toward job search success. Information will be sent to you via email about the Jumpstart program over the summer; look for this message at the email address you used during the application process. If you have committed to enrolling and not heard from Career Services within 4 weeks, please contact us.

 

2. Pre-MBA Quant Preparation

Tippie offers a robust core curriculum designed to develop a solid foundation within each student. Many incoming students have expressed a desire for quantitative/math review before they arrive on campus. We encourage pre-MBA preparation for those who feel they would benefit from it, however there is no required pre-MBA quantitative review for incoming MBA students.

If you choose to undertake additional preparation, view our Pre-MBA Math Prep for a list of suggested topics for review.

3. Excel Skills Review

Professor Jeff Ohlmann has put together Basic Excel Review tutorials to prepare you for your first semester as a Tippie MBA. Although not required, we encourage you to take some time to refresh and enhance your Excel skills!

The self-guided tutorials cover:

In addition to the self-guided tutorials, Professor Ohlmann will be leading an Excel Review boot camp (check IMPACT schedule for date/time). Excel is used extensively in several Tippie courses. Attending this session is not mandatory but is highly encouraged.

Topics to be covered in the boot camp:

  • Pivot Tables
  • Data Filters/Sorting
  • Statistical Excel Functions, Data Analysis Toolpak
  • Advanced Excel Formulas (array formulas, IF, VLOOKUP, COUNTIF, CONCATENATE, etc.)
  • Data Tables
  • Goalseek
  • Solver

4. Writing Skills Review

Equally important to your success is the ability to communicate your analyses clearly. If you are unfamiliar with standard business communication formats, you may wish to review this material. Two excellent references are The Business Writer's Handbook by Charles T. Brusaw and The AMA Style Guide for Business Writing. International students who are not familiar with American standards or formats for business communications are strongly advised to review one of the above references.

Additional Information: Microsoft Office/Technology

The Tippie MBA is very quantitative in its approach to solving business problems and you will use computers extensively. For these reasons, it is important that your skills are current in basic tools for business analysis.

You will develop your computer skills as part of your coursework in your MBA program. While you will receive instructions on specific technical software, it will be very helpful if you are familiar with word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software when classes begin. You will use Microsoft Office products throughout your MBA study.

The Saturday before IMPACT Week, an optional Microsoft Excel review will be available for incoming students. If you need instruction on other parts of the Microsoft Office suite, we recommend seeking out classes or workshops in your area, or reviewing the many self-study resources both online and at bookstores.

As an enrolled student, you can use your Student ID and proof of registration to purchase MS Office for free! Get yours at the University Book Store's Tech Connection with a valid student ID and proof of registration (MBA students register for classes during IMPACT, so you can purchase yours anytime after that).

Computers and Technology

View recommendations for computers and technology and the resources available to you as a Tippie MBA student. This information is also included in the admission binder sent to admitted students.