Admission Requirements

 

The FEMBA program admits candidates who show the strongest potential to become successful members of the Merage network and outstanding global business leaders. We consider each applicant as an individual, both inside and outside the classroom, and welcome candidates from a wide variety of undergraduate disciplines. Our goal is to admit individuals whose goals and aspirations are aligned with what the Merage FEMBA Program offers.

 

Quantitative Measures

 

• Undergraduate GPA. Official transcripts from all universities attended to obtain your bachelor’s degree are required (including community college, abroad program transcripts, etc.)
  • An overall GPA of 3.0 is preferred. If your overall GPA is lower than a 3.0, the Admissions Committee will take into consideration your undergraduate institution attended and major, as well as additional degrees and licenses obtained (M.S., M.A., PhD, JD, CPA, etc.)
  • Candidates that received a bachelor’s degree from a foreign institution must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree accepted by the University of California, Irvine. Original transcripts or notarized copies of the original may be submitted.  Copies will not be seen as official.  Degree certification from an academic evaluation may be required in some cases. Please feel free to contact our office if you have any questions about this requirement.
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or GRE Required for all FEMBA candidates, but may be waived for candidates who hold a PhD in a quantitative subject.  The GRE may also be submitted in place of the GMAT. Please contact Melanie Coburn if you have any questions about the GRE or GMAT requirement.
• There is no minimum score that you must obtain on the GMAT, our middle 80% range is 530 to 710.  The average GMAT is approximately 600.
  • If you take the GMAT multiple times, we will take the highest total score that you obtained on the exam. The Admissions Committee does not average GMAT scores.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL exam is required if the primary language of the country in which the undergraduate institution was located is not English.  The TOEFL exam may be waived if you are U.S Citizen or you hold a Master’s degree from a U.S. institution.  Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this requirement. 

Qualitative Measures

 

• Work Experience.  A minimum of two years of professional work experience is preferred. The admissions committee weighs the quality of work experience more heavily than the quantity. Direct management experience is preferred, but not required.
• Self-Evaluation Essays. Two essays are required (a third is optional) that illustrate your professional accomplishments, career goals, and values that you will bring to the Merage MBA Program. The specific essay questions can be found right on the application.
• Interview. Every candidate is required to complete an interview with an admissions staff member. The interview is a way for us to evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills, as well as a way for you to ask questions and determine whether Merage is the right MBA program for you.
• Letters of Recommendation. Two letters of recommendation are required for every candidate—at least one should be from a current or former supervisor. The recommendations should provide clear evidence of your managerial experience or potential for managerial advancement.