Admission Requirements
Admissions Process
Learning more about Yale SOM
International Applicants

Admission Requirements

What are the requirements to apply to the Yale School of Management?
To apply to the Yale School of Management, applicants must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent and must have taken the GMAT exam. Applicants must also fill out the online application form (including essays), provide transcripts from every college or university attended, submit two professional recommendations, and pay the application fee. Applicants whose degree-granting undergraduate and graduate institutions were not taught in English must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.

What are the average GMAT and GPA scores for the Class of 2009?
To see the averages for the Class of 2009 in terms of GMAT, GPA, and other areas, visit the online Class Profile.

Is there a minimum GMAT requirement?
There is no minimum GMAT score to apply to Yale SOM.

Does Yale SOM waive the GMAT requirement or accept the GRE in its place?
Yale SOM does not waive the GMAT requirement or accept the GRE in its place under any circumstances.

How long is my GMAT score valid?  If I designated Yale SOM as a score report recipient two years ago, does the Admissions Office have my score report now?
GMAT scores are valid for five years. If you took the exam within the past five years and have designated Yale SOM as a score report recipient, we will have access to your GMAT score.

I’ve taken the GMAT more than once.  Does Yale SOM consider all of my scores?
We see and consider all the scores you have received as we review your application, although we credit the highest score you achieved. We do not average scores.

Do I need to submit official transcripts when I apply?
You do not need to submit official transcripts to apply. If you are admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts to enroll. All offers of admission are conditional on the receipt and verification of official transcripts.

The application requirements state that I need to send in transcripts from all the institutions I have attended.  What if the grades from my coursework at other schools appear on my primary undergraduate transcript?  Do I need to send in multiple transcripts?
The Admissions Committee needs to see the grades you received in all of your courses. If your primary undergraduate transcript shows the courses you took at other schools — such as summer courses or courses taken during a study abroad program — along with the corresponding grades, you do not need to send in a separate transcript. If the grades do not appear on your primary transcript, then you do need to submit transcripts from other schools.

My GPA is not reported on a four-point scale.  Do I need to convert it to a four-point scale to complete the academic record section of the application?
No, you should report your GPA on whatever scale is used by your school. Do not convert it to a four-point scale.

My GPA is not reported on my transcript.  Do I need to calculate it in order to complete the academic record section of the application?
No, if your GPA is not reported on your transcript, you should not calculate it for the application.

What is the purpose of the optional essay?  What do most applicants use it for?
The optional essay is meant to be a space for you to communicate information you would like the Admissions Committee to know but that may not fit into another section of the application. Applicants use it to explain issues regarding their undergraduate record or GMAT score, information about a job transition, or other information that is not apparent from the rest of the application. 

Is full-time work experience a requirement for admission?
Although full-time work experience is strongly encouraged, it is not a requirement for admission. Our incoming students have an average of three to five years of work experience when they start the program, although the overall range of experience is broader than that. We also have a select group of students, called Silver Scholars, who enter the program directly from college. 

What types of recommendations does the Admissions Committee like to see?
The application requires two professional recommendations, one of which should ideally come from your most recent supervisor. Please select recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths. Do not choose recommenders simply because they are in high-level executive positions at your company.

Is an interview required for admission to Yale SOM?
Yes. All applicants who are offered admission will have had an interview. Interviews are granted by invitation of the Admissions Committee.

What is the application process like for a joint degree applicant?
The application process is exactly the same for joint degree applicants as it is for other applicants. Applicants need to submit an application to each program and be admitted to each program to enroll as a joint degree candidate. Admissions decisions are made independently.

What is the application process like for a reapplicant?
The Admissions Office keeps applications for three years. Therefore, if you have applied within the last three years, you do not need to submit new supplemental materials (GMAT score report, transcripts, and recommendations) because we will already have them on file. The only requirement is that you submit a new application form and pay the application fee. The third essay in your reapplication should explain how your candidacy has changed since your last application. Although it is not required, you may want to submit new recommendations to the extent they provide insight into what you have done since your last application.

If you applied more than three years ago, you will need to submit a new application and provide all required supplemental materials.

Admissions Process

In which round should I apply?
You should apply when you feel you can submit your best application. If you are rushing to finish your application by the Round 1 deadline and feel you could use some extra time, apply in Round 2 instead. There is no difference between Rounds 1 and 2 in terms of selectivity. It may be more difficult to be admitted in Round 3, where space availability may become an issue.

How can I check the status of my application?
Once you submit your application online, you will be able to check your online status by signing in with your email address and password. You will then be able to see which materials our office has received and which we are still awaiting.

When should I hear whether or not I’ve been invited to interview?
Invitations to interview are sent via email throughout the round in which you apply. The timing of your interview invitation has no bearing on the outcome of your application. Once you are invited to interview, your online status will change to “Interview Requested” and you will be able to schedule an interview online at that time.

I submitted my application by the application deadline.  When can I expect to receive a decision from the Admissions Committee?
We notify applicants of decisions throughout the application round. Depending on the round in which you applied, your decision timing will be different. The latest you will hear from us is the decision deadline listed below:

	Application Deadline	Admissions Decision
Round 1	October 24, 2007	January 18, 2008
Round 2	January 9, 2008	April 4, 2008
Round 3	March 12, 2008	May 9, 2008

If your decision status changes, we will notify you by email.

How do I communicate a change to the Admissions Committee after I have submitted my application?
If you have a material change to your application such as a new job or GMAT score, please write an email with your application update to mba.admissions@yale.edu. It will be included in your application file.

What do I need to do to be considered for a merit scholarship?
All applicants are automatically considered for a merit scholarship by submitting an application. There is no need to do anything separate to be considered. If you are awarded a scholarship, you will be notified at the same time you learn of your admission to the program. If you do not receive a merit scholarship (which most admitted students do not), there are other means of financing your MBA studies, including outside scholarships for which you may be eligible.

Learning more about Yale SOM

How can I experience life at Yale SOM firsthand?
Many prospective students feel that visiting campus is the best way to get a real sense of student life at SOM. Our campus visit program starts in mid-September and runs Monday through Thursday throughout the academic year. You can learn more about what the visit entails and schedule a visit online.

Does Yale SOM participate in MBA fairs around the world?
We participate in many events throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Please take a look at our events calendar to see if an admissions representative will be visiting your area. You can also join our mailing list to be notified of upcoming events in your area.

How can I learn more about Yale SOM via the web?
There are many ways to learn about the MBA program online. You can ask students questions on our discussion board, read student blogs, and email our admissions ambassadors.

How can I get answers to admissions-related questions?
You are welcome to post your admissions questions on our discussion board. The board is monitored daily by the Admissions Committee. You may also email your questions to mba.admissions@yale.edu or call 203.432.5635.

International Applicants

Does Yale SOM accept three-year undergraduate degrees?
To apply to Yale SOM, an applicant must have a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or the international equivalent. International applicants with a three-year degree from an accredited institution may apply.  Typically, successful applicants whose degree was earned in fewer than 16 total years of education have completed an additional masters degree as well, although it is not required.

Is the TOEFL or IELTS required for all international applicants?
No, the TOEFL or IELTS exam is required for applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose degree-granting undergraduate and graduate institutions were not taught in English. Applicants who have a degree from an English-speaking institution do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam.

Are there minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores to apply to Yale SOM?
Although there are no minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores to apply, to be competitive, an applicant should have a TOEFL score of at least 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, and 100 on the Internet-based test, or an IELTS score of at least 7.

Does Yale SOM waive the TOEFL or IELTS requirement for applicants whose degrees are not from English-speaking institutions?
In very limited instances, Yale SOM may waive the TOEFL or IELTS requirement for individuals who would otherwise be required to take the exam. If you feel that you may qualify for a waiver, please write a letter explaining the basis for your waiver request and send it to mba.admissions@yale.edu.

If my transcript is not in English, do I need to submit an English translation of it?
Yes, non-English transcripts should be translated into English. If your institution does not provide an English translation with the transcript, you should obtain a notarized English translation.