International students face special challenges when it comes to applying to an American university to study for an MBA degree. They must have good undergraduate grades and a good score on the GMAT; however, they must also meet special requirements because of their international status.
~ Their transcripts must be evaluated by an independent agency such as World Education Services. This is necessary because courses completed overseas may not equate to similar courses at an American school.
~ International students must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an equivalent test such as the English Language Institute Test of the University of Michigan or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Prospective students should check with the school they are applying to.
~ International students will normally be expected to prove they have the financial resources required to study as a full-time student in graduate school. My alma mater, the University of Illinois, requires that international students prove they have financial resources of at least $50,000 before they are accepted into the MBA program.
~ International students pursuing an MBA degree are required to be enrolled in at least 6 semester-hours of face to face courses. Only one online course can be counted toward the 9+ semester hours required of a full-time student.
~ International students will be officially admitted for study only if all the above conditions are met. The TOEFL score and the financial resources statement are perhaps the most important.
Comment Preview