Prepare for your future career by earning your MBA from The University of Alabama!

Congratulations on your decision to pursue an MBA. We look forward to reviewing your application. Below we have outlined the key components of the process, and our admissions team is happy to answer additional questions.   

MBA Admissions Counseling

If you would like to speak with our admissions director, you are welcome to email us at: evoorhees@cba.ua.edu or schedule an appointment with Betsey Voorhees via this link. In addition, as you navigate the admissions process, we are pleased to offer you the following services to help you develop your application: general questions advice, resume review, personal statement review, and mock interviews. Our goal is for you to showcase the best version of yourself in the admissions process!

Online Application
To start your application, visit the online Graduate Application Center. This site shares helpful application information and the application form. Please note it takes roughly 24-48 hours for the system to process your application to allow you to return and “Manage Supporting Documents.” Students may apply to up to two graduate programs at one time. However, you must apply to each program separately (for example, JD/MBA, Master of Science in Marketing, or Master of Science in Civil Engineering). The application requirements are Resume, Personal Statement, 3 references, academic transcripts, GMAT or GRE test score, and application fee. A complete description of these items is listed below. In addition, international students must submit additional items as described below.

REQUIREMENTS

Application Fee:
$65 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
$80 for international students

Application Fee Waivers may be requested for the following:
1) Veterans and current members of the U.S. military
2) Students who have completed a Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program

Official GMAT or GRE Test Scores 
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required. Of the two exams, there is a preference for the GMAT, but both are accepted as an option to meet the test requirement. Applicants should take either exam, then request that scores be submitted electronically to The University of Alabama, which may be done immediately following the completion of the exam.  Please also upload a copy of your score report to the application system.  We accept only official score reports from GMAC, ETS, or Pearson VUE that are less than five years old. Official scores must be received before evaluating your application for an official decision.

• 2022 average GMAT 653 (The university minimum is 500 for the traditional path.  For the accelerated STEM/Create Path, the minimum is 600)
• 2022 average GRE 311 (The university minimum is 300 for the traditional path. For the accelerated STEM/Create Path, the minimum is 305)

Official Undergraduate Transcripts
For each institution of higher education (including community colleges) at which you have completed 15 or more credit hours, the Graduate School office requires an official transcript (either electronic or paper). Please note that you do not need to submit University of Alabama transcripts, but we request that you upload unofficial copies to the system. For students not attending U.A., please also upload unofficial copies of your transcript for us to use as a temporary until we receive your official transcript from your undergraduate university. Additional transcript information can be found here. The university minimum is a 3.0 for the traditional path. Considerations for a provisional acceptance can potentially be made for students slightly under a 3.0 GPA. Contact the admissions director for details. For the STEM/Create Path to MBA program, the minimum is a 3.0, and no provisional admit options are available for those under a 3.0 GPA. All students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university completed before starting their MBA classes.

• 2022 current average GPA: 3.7

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Statement of Purpose Essay
The Statement of Purpose is a required document where you share your story of why an MBA from Alabama is the best fit for you. It is ideally 2-3 pages (1.5 or double-spaced) on the following:

• What led to your decision to pursue a Manderson MBA
• What makes you a good fit for the program
• Areas of improvement that you would like to focus on as part of your MBA education
• Area of focus you plan to select as part of the program
• Potential career aspirations

Resume
A professional resume should be uploaded. The resume should showcase as much as possible about you as a candidate. This can include information such as volunteer roles, summer jobs, campus involvement, full-time jobs/internships, meaningful class projects, etc. For the purpose of the application, the resume can be 1-2 pages.

Recommendation Letters
All applicants must upload contact information for 3 references (Name, Email, Title). This can be either academic (A professor in your major or relevant coursework) or past/current supervisors, mentors, or advisors that you have had. Note on the submission process: Your recommenders will receive an email notification with instructions on how to upload their letters. All recommendation letters are due ten days after the deadline. If a recommendation is late, prospective students can send reminders through their application system.

International Applicant Requirements:

Visit the Graduate School website for detailed requirements. A test of English proficiency is required (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE). We request a score of 100+ for TOEFL and 7.0+ for IELTS for these tests. The TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores must be less than two years old at the time of the student’s intended enrollment at The University of Alabama. Once admitted, we’ll need several other items noted on the graduate school site such as your financial proof of support documents.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT AWARDS

All candidates for admission are evaluated for all available awards, with award decisions being made after admission has been determined. Award letters are typically presented with admissions decisions, and some awards come closer to the fall based on available funds remaining. No additional forms or applications must be considered for our merit-based award.

• Scholarships:
  • Merit based:  Scholarships range based on merit. Our goal is for 40% of students to receive some scholarship. Most of our awards require no additional application. For students who receive merit scholarships, we award them annually per academic year rather than by semester.
  • A student’s scholarship is subject to a one-time renewal based on their adherence to the MBA Code of Conduct while maintaining a 3.0 graduate school GPA.
• Graduate Assistantships:  These are typically awarded to top students on a merit base (test scores and GPA). The assistantship offer consists of payment of half-tuition for the fall/spring academic year, as well as a stipend of approximately $7,250.00 (payable over nine months, beginning in September). Depending on your placement, student health insurance benefits and course fees may also be covered in this assistantship package. In return, you will be expected to work 10 hours per week on a research/project assignment within the business school. Students with assistantships are placed in positions with professors, the Manderson office, or one of our centers, like the Small Business Development Center, the Center for Business and Economic Research, or similar areas. Your specific assignment will be made closer to the beginning of the school year.

See our Investment tab for additional tuition information.

If you have any questions or would like to meet directly with the admissions director, email evoorhees@cba.ua.edu or schedule an appointment.