Frequently Asked Questions

We are in the early stages of the AACSB accreditation process, with anticipated accreditation in 2011. The Rady School is currently accredited under the UC San Diego umbrella.

I already have an MBA, but am interested in applying to your program – am I still eligible to apply?

Generally a duplicate degree is not an option at UC San Diego; however we would want to see your transcripts to determine if an exception may be warranted. Please contact the Rady MBA Admissions Office at MBAadmissions@ucsd.edu

My bachelors degree is from a 3–year program, am I eligible to apply?

Equivalency of a 4–year U.S. bachelor's degree is required. 36 consecutive units of post graduate, college level courses taken prior to applying may fulfill the 4–year requirement. Courses may be non–degree work.

I will complete my bachelor's degree in the spring and will not have any professional work experience. Will you consider my application for admission to the Full–Time MBA?

We don't require a minimum number of years of work experience. Each year we admit a small number of students directly from undergraduate or graduate studies without work experience. We will want to understand why is now the right time for you to pursue an MBA degree. Several factors considered to determine your contribution to the class – teamwork, leadership potential, excellent academic records, possible undergraduate internships, community work, extracurricular activities, etc.

Do I need a business background to apply to the program?

It is not necessary to have business coursework prior to entering the MBA program – we are looking for a very diverse class. Majors have included computer science, engineering, chemistry, biology, sociology, literature, philosophy, political science, etc.

What is the minimum GMAT score for the Rady MBA program?

There is no minimum requirement; however, the average GMAT scores have been in the high 600s for the Full-Time MBA program. Details can be found in the class profile under your program of interest. GMAT scores may serve to balance lower undergraduate academic performance and are very good predictors of how well students will do in the required core classes. GMAT scores in one sitting are evaluated, not averaged from multiple sittings.

What are the application deadlines and when can I apply?

Our online application is available each year in early September. The Full-Time MBA deadline window is November through April. The FlexMBA is January through May. To view specific deadlines click here.

Why are there multiple deadlines for submitting an application?

We admit on a rolling basis, so our deadlines give you a sense of where we are in the admissions cycle. As we move through that cycle, we have begun to make offers of admission. A few things to consider in deciding when to submit your application:

When are you satisfied that what you are submitting represents you well?
When would you like to have your admission decision? We aim for a four to six week turnaround time once we have a completed application in.
Fewer spaces are available in the class, the later you wait to submit your application.

What is the application fee and can it be waived under certain circumstances??

The required application fee for fall 2010 is $200. Fee waivers are not available.

What are the required application materials?

Application form (must be submitted online)
Official transcripts from all undergraduate academic work and graduate (if applicable).
Resume
Recommendations (2)
Essays (3)
GMAT
TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable)
Application fee

See the detailed Application Checklist for further details.

Can the GMAT be waived?

A waiver of the GMAT will be considered for applicants who have:

completed an M.D. at an accredited U.S. medical school, or
completed a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in a technical, scientific or quantitatively-based discipline at an accredited U.S. institution

Applicants should consult with MBA Admissions for further information. The GRE or LSAT will not be accepted in substitution for the GMAT.

Can I submit my application before taking the GMAT?

Yes – under the GMAT section on the application indicate when you are scheduled to take the exam. We will assemble your application and do a preliminary review while waiting for the results. No admission decision will be made until we have your GMAT scores and your application is complete.

Am I required to submit a TOEFL score?

The TOEFL or IELTS is required if your undergraduate academic instruction was not in English, unless you meet the following criteria:

you have completed your studies as a full-time student for one academic year or more at a U.S. academic institution/university while maintaining a “B” average or better, or
you are permanent resident of the U.S., or
you are a U.S. citizen

Do I need to submit a translated copy of my transcript?

Official academic records must be issued in the language of instruction and accompanied by official English translations. Acceptable documentation includes:

Originals issued by the university bearing the original stamp or seal and the signature of the authorized official.
Official copies issued by the degree granting university bearing the stamp or seal and signature of the authorized official.
Official literal (word for word) English translations issued by the degree granting institution or official authorized translation services.

Is the calculus prerequisite needed prior to applying?

The calculus prerequisite is not a requirement for an admission decision. Admitted students who have not satisfied a year of calculus with a B or better will be provided with options on how to fulfill the calculus pre–requisite before the start of the MBA program in September.

Who should my letters of recommendation be from?

Recommendations should generally be from your professional network – someone who knows you well enough to provide us with insight regarding your professional qualifications and potential for contribution. Two letters are required; both do not need to be from your place of employment.

I am enrolled in another MBA program – can I transfer to the Rady MBA program?

There is no automatic transfer to the Rady MBA program. You must submit an application for admission consideration. Any transfer of credits would be on a case–by–case basis and generally only a limited number of electives would be considered.

How does the admissions process work?

The process of evaluating an application takes between four to six weeks. Shortly after you submit your application, you will be notified of the status of your application – if all materials have been received. Once we have your complete application, it will be reviewed for consideration of an invitation to interview.

How can I set up an interview with Admissions?

Interviews are by invitation only. We will contact you to schedule an appointment. All admitted students will have been interviewed.

If I'm not admitted to the program, can I get feedback on my application?

If requested, the Admissions Committee will provide feedback to applicants once the admissions cycle is complete and classes are seated.

If not admitted, can I reapply the next year?

Yes – the application process is the same when reapplying. You would submit a new application with all supporting documents, including transcripts and letters of recommendation. If you retake the GMAT and/or TOEFL, your scores need to be sent to us.

Is deferral of admission permitted?

An admission deferral for one year may be granted after review of your file and with a written explanation from you for the deferral request.

What are the fees for the MBA programs?

Full-Time MBA program:

Fees for California Residents for 2009–10 are approximately $29,000.
Fees for non-residents and international students for 2009–10 are approximately $38,000.
Fees are billed quarterly and are not determined by the number of courses taken. The fees do not include living expenses, textbooks and course materials or campus parking permits.

FlexMBA program:

The fee structure is per credit unit. The 2009-10 cost is $870/credit unit.
All inclusive fees are billed quarterly. Fees will vary depending on the number of units enrolled in per quarter.
Fees include textbooks and course materials, parking permits, meals during scheduled class nights or weekends, and lodging during the residential session for the Evening program and Friday evenings of classes for the Weekend program. The fees do not include student health insurance.
Residency is not a factor in determining the fees for the FlexMBA.

Fees for the MBA programs are subject to change and approval by the UC Regents. For more information, please refer to our Web site under your program of interest.

What options do I have for financial assistance?

All admitted students to the Full–Time MBA program are considered for merit-based fellowships awarded at the time of the admission offer. There is no separate application to complete.
Applicants who wish to be considered for a need-based fellowship should complete optional Essay #4 in the application.
FAFSA (free application for federal student aid) available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The UC San Diego Financial Aid office awards a limited number of need-based scholarships, generally for the second year of the program.
Educational loans may be an option to consider. The UC San Diego Financial Aid office provides a list of preferred lenders to assist graduate students.

The FlexMBA program is a self–supporting program with no state funding. Fellowship funding may be available from private donors for this program. FlexMBA applicants are encouraged to see what assistance may be available through their employer, through filing the FAFSA for federal subsidized or unsubsidized loans or through private loans.

Is there on-campus housing? When do I apply?

UC San Diego offers limited, high–quality, on–campus housing for graduate students. We recommend you apply for campus housing as soon as possible after being admitted. To learn more visit: http://hdh.ucsd.edu/arch/gradhousing.html