Full-Time MBA | Admissions

Applications are submitted online and are evaluated in the order they are received once all supporting documentation has been turned in. We encourage applicants to submit their applications as early as possible. Applicants will receive status updates from the admissions coordinator throughout the review process. Interviews are by invitation only. Interviews are conducted via Zoom or in-person.

GMAT/GRE waivers are available to domestic and international candidates with 2+ years of full-time professional work experience and a strong record of academic performance as an undergraduate or masters student. A minimum 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) is required for the GMAT/GRE waiver to apply. Candidates who do request a GMAT/GRE waiver will be required to submit an additional essay outlining your qualification for the waiver.

From the time your application is complete with all supporting documentation and enters the review stage, it should take 6 weeks or less before you receive a decision from the admissions office.

Transcripts

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.

You will need to upload unofficial transcripts from each college and university attended with your online application. These will be used to conduct the initial review. You will be asked to submit official transcripts if you are admitted and have decided to attend UCI. At that time, only institution(s) where a degree was earned will need to be sent. Send official copies of transcripts to:

UCI Graduate Division 
120 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3180

You can send your electronic transcripts to Graduate Division via email at gradtranscripts@uci.edu.

Candidates may apply to the program if they hold the equivalent of a four-year U.S. Bachelor's degree. Transcripts from non-U.S. universities should include evidence of degree conferral (proof of graduation). International applicants should refer to the International Applicant page for more specific requirements.

GMAT/GMAT Focus or GRE Testing

While test scores provide an additional, relevant data point for the admissions committee to consider, a test score is not required. It is up to the applicant to decide if they want to apply with or without test scores. Please note that for applicants without a quantitative background, a strong test score can strengthen their candidacy. For an idea of the typical test score range of admitted students, see our latest class profile.

If you choose to submit a test score:

There is no advantage to taking one exam over the other. If you take an exam multiple times, we will take the highest total score that you obtained on that exam. The Admissions Committee does not average exam scores. While there is no minimum GMAT or GRE score to apply, we do expect that applicants will have an overall competitive profile. Test scores are valid for up to five years from your test date.

Official GRE Score: Exam results should be sent to UC Irvine institution code: 4859. For more information on the GRE, visit ets.org/gre.

Official GMAT/GMAT Focus Score: Exam results should be sent to UC Irvine institution code: 0DP-7R-16. For more information on the GMAT, visit mba.com.

If you choose NOT to submit a test score:

You will need to demonstrate how your academic and professional experiences have properly prepared you for the rigors of the FTMBA program. You must submit an essay that provides evidence of your MBA readiness to support your case of applying without a test score. We will evaluate full-time professional work experience and a strong record of academic performance as an undergraduate or master's student, looking closely at your past accomplishments, including but not limited to:

1. An advanced degree (Graduate or professional degree) 
2. Professional certifications with a quantitative focus (CPA, CFA, or other certification)
3. Strong performance in previous analytical or quantitative coursework or employment
4. U.S military personnel

Applicants should consider a number of factors before submitting a GMAT/GRE waiver request including their overall candidate profile. Test scores are often a beneficial data point considered by the Admissions Committee when determining merit-based scholarships. There are some employers who may request a GMAT/GRE score as part of their MBA hiring screening process. This is particularly true in industries such as consulting or finance. Candidates are encouraged to consider all factors before submitting a GMAT/GRE test waiver request.

Official TOEFL/IELTS Score

TOEFL: The minimum score required for admission is 80 for the Internet-based test. TOEFL scores are valid for up to two years from your test date. Exam results should be sent to UC Irvine institution code: 4859. For more information on the TOEFL, visit toefl.org.

IELTS: As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For the IELTS, the minimum required score for admission is 7, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module. Scores are valid for two years. UCI Graduate Division only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center. No paper Test Report Forms will be accepted. An institutional code is NOT required. Please contact the test center where you took the IELTS test directly and request that your test scores be sent electronically using the IELTS system. All IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to our institution.

Applicants are waived from the English Language Proficiency requirement if they have earned an undergraduate or master's degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database (WHED). Please see WHED's instructions on how to search for your institution.

Two Recommenders

In the application, you will be asked to submit information for your two selected recommenders. Recommenders must complete our online recommendation form, or they may submit a PDF version of this online form. If your recommenders prefer to complete the PDF version of our online recommendation form, please email the PDF to cynthia@uci.edu.

Recommenders who can speak to your reasons in pursuing an MBA are preferred. They may be obtained from people who know you professionally, such as clients, former bosses or others, or academically, such as former professors.

We will also accept the PDF version of our online recommendation form. If your recommenders prefer to complete a recommendation letter instead of our online recommendation form, please email the PDF to cynthia@uci.edu.

Essays 

Two essays are required. The essay should illustrate your professional accomplishments, career goals, and values that you will bring to the Merage School Full-Time MBA program. The specific essay prompt can be found on the application. You may also choose to submit an optional third essay.

Employment History (Resume)

The vast majority of MBA students have an average of five years of full-time work experience. Submit a copy of your résumé. For each position held, include the name and website of the organization, job title, a detailed description of your responsibilities and reason for leaving.

Application Fee

The non-refundable application fee of $150 must be paid by credit card through the online application system.

Interview 

Interviews are by invitation only, are required for admission and are conducted by the Admissions Committee. 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 the Merage School is right for you. 

If invited to an interview, you will be informed via email. Interviews are conducted in-person or via Zoom.