Frequently Asked Questions

A. We will continue to review applications through our July 1st Transfer/Special admission deadline on a space-available basis. The Transfer/Special deadline is specifically for students transferring from MBA or other graduate programs to Alabama or for prospective students with special circumstances, such as someone whose spouse has been relocated to Alabama for work. The admissions committee will review the Transfer/Special applications with the intent to admit applicants who possess unique qualities, such as a distinctive academic background or major, strong work experience, niche specialization, etc., that will make a particularly strong contribution or fill a need in the incoming class. Applicants are encouraged to submit all application materials as early as possible as admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.

A. No, it will not hinder you in any way. In fact, we encourage applicants from all undergraduate disciplines because we seek to admit a diverse class with unique qualities. Therefore, we encourage students from a variety of academic backgrounds to apply for admission. Normally, over half of each entering class comes from non-business backgrounds, such as engineering, science, and liberal arts.

A. No, we do not require interviews of every applicant. The Admission Committee may request an interview after an application is submitted. If an interview is needed, an MBA staff member will contact you.

A. Students are expected to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office XP upon enrolling in the MBA program. There are no specific business courses that must be taken prior to applying to the program. We strongly encourage non-business undergraduates to apply to the program as we seek to admit a diverse class with students from a variety of backgrounds.

A. A cornerstone of the University of Alabama MBA program's professional leadership in technology is the requirement that all MBA students have a laptop. The laptop requirement allows incoming MBA students to leverage the substantial technology-based opportunities at Alabama and to enhance their overall MBA experience through improved linkage to internships, external projects, and employer sponsors; uniformity of student and program technology capabilities; academic work team flexibility and communication; enhanced learning in pre-MBA and MBA courses; and advanced teaching and learning application.

A. Unlike many MBA programs, we do not have a minimum work experience requirement. Our students normally average about 2 years of work experience, but because we do not have a minimum requirement, some outstanding students are coming into the MBA program with little prior experience. Students without full-time work experience are given a multitude of opportunities while in the program to gain quality experience through internships, assistantships, and class-related projects.

A. Yes, we do accept transfer students with the possibility of up to 12 credit hours applying toward the MBA. Student who wish to transfer should apply to the program and, upon admission, will have their courses reviewed to determine transferability. Our transfer application deadline is July 1st, although we encourage transfer applicants to apply early to be more competitive for not only admission, but also for scholarships and assistantships.

A. The University of Alabama code for the TOEFL is 1830. The institutional code for the GMAT is M50DM06

A. We do not have a minimum or cutoff score. The Admission Committee admits students based on their entire application, which includes the following:

• The official GMAT score
• The official TOEFL (for international students) score
• Undergraduate performance as determined by the transcripts and grade point average
• Letters of recommendation
• Essay
• Resume, including extracurricular activities
• Work experience (Not required although it is a positive in the admission process)

A. If you are not pleased with your GMAT score, we recommend retaking the test. If your score does not go up, it will not hurt your chances for admission, as we will be focused on your highest total composite score. Many applicants find that, with additional preparation, taking the test a second or third time often increases their scores. Although the GMAT is only a portion of the application for admission, the higher the score, the more competitive an applicant will be in the admissions process. The average GMAT for this year's incoming class was a 633; however, it is important to note that students with higher and lower scores make up the Class of 2007.

A. No, we do not average GMAT scores or take one section score from one test and another section score from another test. We are focusing on the highest total composite score in the admission decision process.

A. No, if you have earned your U.S. degree within the last 3 years, you do not need to take the TOEFL.

A. The University of Alabama Graduate School requires a 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer- based) or higher on the TOEFL. The score must be less than 2 years old to be valid.

A. There are no separate forms to complete to be considered for Manderson MBA scholarships and fellowships. All applicants are automatically considered for the merit-based awards based on their application for admission. Those who apply before the January 5th or February 15th priority deadline are most competitive for merit based awards.

A. We do not waive the application fee for anyone, except those participating in the McNair Scholars Program.