University of Colorado at Boulder

The goal of the MBA admission committee is to select students who will achieve academic and professional success through the Leeds MBA program. Admission decisions are made by balancing quantitative and qualitative strengths such as undergraduate GPA, test scores, professional experience, and unique potential to contribute in the classroom and MBA community.

Admission to the Leeds MBA program is competitive. The decisions are based on a number of criteria including (but not limited to) the list below.

Academic Competitiveness
Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree at an accredited institution. In addition to the applicants cumulative grade point average, Leeds also considers the rigor of the applicants undergraduate major as well as the academic caliber of the institution awarding the degree. The admission committee does not consider an online-based baccalaureate degree equivalent to a traditional campus-based undergraduate experience. Although some on-line course work can be a part of the applicant's record, the admission committee expects at least two years of campus-based residential classes to be part of the applicant's curriculum.

Note: The University of Colorado at Boulder does not issue duplicate degrees; therefore, applicants who have already earned an MBA from a U.S. institution are not eligible for admission.

Academic Background - Course Prerequisites
Enrolling candidates from different undergraduate disciplines is a valued part of creating a diverse classroom environment. Consequently, no specific undergraduate coursework is required for admission to the MBA program. Although there are no prerequisites for the program, applicants who possess quantitative/mathematical skills and have some familiarity with business terminology are typically more successful in the program. Candidates are encouraged to have completed calculus, college level statistics and/or college algebra; along with microeconomics and principles of accounting before beginning the MBA program.

Professional Work Experience
At least two years of full-time, post-graduate work experience is strongly recommended. Although some applicants without full-time work experience are admitted each year, candidates without work experience must present outstanding qualifications in all other categories of the application.

Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation from sources in a position to evaluate the applicant's professional experience. Two recommendations must be from people who have supervised or managed the applicant's work. One of those should be the current supervisor of the applicant. The other letter can be a former supervisor or another person in the organization who acts in a supervisory role. Applicants who are unable to provide such a letter should include a note of explanation. The third reference should be completed by an individual who has worked with the applicant on a team or project, as a peer, not a supervisor or subordinate.
Recommenders should be able to evaluate the applicant's potential to lead and manage others, personal qualities, interpersonal skills, and professional accomplishments in an organizational context. For this reason, the Leeds MBA program discourages academic references.

Interviews
Potential candidates to the program are required to interview for admission to the Leeds School of Business. An on-campus interview is preferred, but phone interviews for applicants who cannot travel to Boulder are an option.