• Admission Requirements
• Admissions Process
• Learning more about Yale SOM
• Consortium
• 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 either the GMAT or the GRE. 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, PTE Academic, or IELTS score.

Does Yale SOM accept the GRE in place of the GMAT?
Yes. Yale SOM will accept GRE scores in place of, or in addition to, GMAT scores, for applicants who have taken that test.

What are the average GMAT and GPA scores for the Class of 2014?
To see the averages for the Class of 2014 in terms of GMAT, GPA, and other areas, visit the online Class Statistics. 

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

How long is my GMAT/GRE 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 and GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. 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 all of your GMAT and/or GRE scores from that period.

I’ve taken the GMAT and/or GRE 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 and degree certificates when I apply?
You do not need to submit official, paper transcripts or the corresponding degree certification to apply. We allow applicants to upload scanned transcripts and degree certificates or submit them using our special fax submission system. If you are admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts and the corresponding degree certificates to enroll. The degree certificate must indicate the type of degree conferred, the institution/location from which you received the degree and the date of degree confirmation. Please note that if your transcript indicates this information, there is no need to provide us with an additional degree certificate.

All offers of admission are conditional until the receipt and verification of official transcripts and degree certifications.

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.

If 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. Please do not convert it to a four-point scale.

If 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 additional information section?  What do most applicants use it for?
The additional information section is an optional section that should be used to communicate information you would like the Admissions Committee to know that may not fit into another part of the application. Applicants typically 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 a separate 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?
If you have applied within the last two 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, new essays, and application fee. The reapplication essay should explain the steps you've taken to improve your candidacy 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 two years ago, you will need to submit an entirely new application and provide all required supplemental materials.

For more information about the process for reapplying to Yale SOM, please contact the admissions office.

Admissions

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. Because it can take time to process materials, you should allow two (2) weeks following an application deadline for materials that were submitted separately to be reflected on your status page. If your application is still incomplete four weeks after the application deadline, we will email you to let you know.

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. Although we try to extend invitations as early as possible, they may be extended as late as the admissions decision deadline. 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?
Applicants will receive their decision by close of business (5 p.m. EST) on the decision date. For a list of this year’s application dates, please visit the How to Apply page. When 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 Yale 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 events 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. We also host several virtual events throughout the year.

How can I learn more about Yale SOM via the web?
There are many ways to learn about the MBA program online. You can read student blogs, participate in virtual events, and email our admissions ambassadors.

How can I get answers to admissions-related questions?
You may email your questions to mba.admissions@yale.edu or call 203.432.5635.

Consortium

Is there an advantage or disadvantage in the application evaluation process by applying to The Consortium versus applying directly to Yale SOM?
No, there is no advantage or disadvantage in applying to The Consortium versus applying directly to Yale SOM. The same review process and admissions standards apply for both pools of applicants.

Do I need to complete the Yale SOM application in addition to The Consortium application?
No. By completing The Consortium’s application, you are excused from completing the Yale SOM application. The materials required for The Consortium application are almost identical to those materials we require.

What do I do since Yale SOM’s deadlines are different than The Consortium deadlines?
As a Consortium applicant you are only required to adhere to the application requirements and deadlines outlined by The Consortium. Go to www.cgsm.org for a list of required materials, application processes, and deadlines.

May I apply for The Consortium as a joint degree candidate in conjunction with one of Yale’s other graduate/professional schools?
Yes. Applicants wishing to seek membership to The Consortium and to be considered for The Consortium fellowships will need to apply for the MBA portion of their joint degree through The Consortium (www.cgsm.org). The admissions process for Yale SOM and the other graduate/professional school to which candidates may apply operate independently of each other.
 
The Consortium fellowship will only cover the in-residency time at Yale SOM, which equates to about 1.5 years for most our joint degree programs. In most cases, except the 3-yr JD/MBA program, joint degree candidates begin their academic career at Yale SOM.

May I apply as a Silver Scholar candidate through The Consortium?
Yes, Silver Scholar (college senior) applicants may apply through The Consortium. As a Consortium applicant you are only required to adhere to the application requirements and deadlines outlined by The Consortium. Silver Scholar candidates may be invited to interview on campus with members of the Yale SOM Silver Scholars Committee. Silver Scholar interviews will be granted by invitation only. For more information on the Silver Scholars program, please email mba.admissions@yale.edu or visit the Silver Scholars webpage.

Is there an advantage in applying through The Consortium to Yale SOM in Round 1 versus Round 2?
No, Round 1 and Round 2 Consortium applicants will be reviewed together after The Consortium’s Round 2 deadline (January 5th). All admissions decisions for Consortium applicants, regardless of the round to which they applied through The Consortium, will be released at the end of February.

What is the interview process if applying through The Consortium?
The Consortium defers to the member schools’ interview process for all interviews for admissions purposes. Yale SOM’s interviews are granted by invitation only.

When should I hear whether or not I’ve been invited to interview if applying through the Consortium?
Invitations to interview will be sent via email from our office. We will try to extend invitations as early as possible. The timing of your interview invitation has no bearing on the outcome of your application. Once you are invited to interview, you will be able to schedule your interview online using the instructions in the invitation email.

Can I be considered for The Consortium fellowships by applying directly to Yale SOM?
No. In order to be considered for The Consortium fellowship, you must apply through The Consortium, follow their deadlines and submit all of the required materials according to their admissions process.

Are Consortium applicants considered for Yale SOM merit-based scholarships?
Yes, all Consortium applicants are considered for Yale SOM merit-scholarships in addition to The Consortium fellowships.

When can I expect to hear my admissions decision if I apply in Round 1 through The Consortium?
In order for us to look at the entire pool of Consortium applicants as a whole, we will review Round 1 and Round 2 applicants through The Consortium together. Decisions will be released at the same time at the end of February.

When can I expect to hear if I have been selected as a Consortium member and have received a Consortium fellowship?
Our admissions decisions for Consortium candidates will be released at the end of February. Consortium membership decisions will come directly from The Consortium in March. Consortium fellowship decisions will come from us after the Membership and Selection Committee meeting in St. Louis in March.

Where can I find out more about The Consortium admissions process?
Download The Consortium’s "Frequently Asked Questions" (pdf) to read more about their admissions process and application requirements.

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, PTE Academic, or IELTS required for all international applicants?
No, the TOEFL, PTE Academic, 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, PTE Academic, or IELTS exam and do not require a waiver of the exam.

Are there minimum TOEFL, PTE Academic, and IELTS scores to apply to Yale SOM?
Although there are no minimum TOEFL, PTE Academic, and IELTS scores to apply, to be competitive, an applicant should have a TOEFL score of at least 100 on the Internet-based test, a PTE Academic score of at least 70, or an IELTS score of at least 7.

Does Yale SOM waive the TOEFL, PTE Academic, or IELTS requirement for applicants whose degrees are not from English-speaking institutions?
In very limited instances, Yale SOM may waive the TOEFL, PTE Academic, 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. Please note, though, that if your degree-granting undergraduate or graduate institution was taught in English, regardless of citizenship, your TOEFL, PTE Academic, or IELTS requirement is automatically waived and you do not need to request a waiver from us.

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.