Academic Ability
Academic ability includes your ability to solve problems, test new methodologies, challenge assumptions, and reason. We look at your ability to absorb new material and think creatively and strategically to develop solutions to problems.
Applicants must show evidence of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the United States of America or equivalent from a recognized international university.
International applicants who received a degree from outside the U.S. must submit all official transcripts, diplomas, and marksheets to the International Education Research Foundation for a credential evaluation and request a Detail Report. International applicants should plan on this process taking up to four weeks to be completed. Applications requiring a credential evaluation will not be reviewed without a credential evaluation.
Required
- GMAT/GRE Score
- GMAT average score is 680 for admitted students.
- The middle 50% of successful applicants have GMAT score between 640 and 710.
- Starting in November 2023, the GMAT Focus test is available for candidates and will replace the original GMAT test. When given the choice we recommend that students take the new GMAT Focus.
- Please know that scores between the two tests are not equivalent (a 680 on the old test does not equal a 680 on the GMAT Focus). We do not yet have data on GMAT Focus scores, but a 680 on the old test is roughly in the 83rd percentile. Please refer to the GMAT Focus score concordance to learn more.
- We also accept GRE scores and are looking for scores in the 85th percentile or higher.
- Test scores are a required major component in the awarding of scholarships for the program.
- In exceptional cases, there is a test waiver application process available. See below for instructions.
- Undergraduate GPA
- 3.5 avg.
- Additional consideration given to the rigor of your undergraduate program and analytical courses taken.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Degree must be awarded by an accredited university.
- University transcripts from all undergraduate institutions.
- International students must provide transcripts in English along with credential evaluation. A TOEFL English score is also required for most international students.
- Essay. Statement of purpose/letter of intent
Work Experience
Gaining qualified work experience will not only help you better understand course concepts but also put you on solid footing for internships and job offers. We are particularly interested in work where you managed budgets and people and achieved strong results. Evidence of your career progression and leadership skills can be shown in your statement of intent, résumé, letters of recommendation, work experience, and interview with a member of the admissions committee. Interviews are conducted by invitation only to applicants deemed competitive for admission.
Required
- 2 years post-graduate, full-time work experience. Four years average.
- Résumé showing work history, career progression and accomplishments
- Two professional letters of recommendation. Not from professors or religious leaders. We recommend asking supervisors, colleagues, direct reports who can speak to your abilities and character traits.
Commitment to live the BYU Honor Code
The BYU Marriott MBA program is committed to developing individuals who will be an influence for good in the world through service to their families, professions, and communities. All enrolled BYU students are required to sign and commit to live by the BYU Honor Code while attending the university.
While the university is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, membership in the Church is not required for admission to BYU. Applicants who are unfamiliar with the Church are encouraged to visit ComeUntoChrist.org to learn more about BYU’s sponsoring institution.
Required
- Signed Honor Code commitment
- Ecclesiastical endorsement
Standardized Test Waiver
Here at the BYU Marriott MBA, we are committed to help you achieve your personal and career goals through our rigorous, world-class MBA program. To prepare you for this transformational experience, we encourage you to begin your academic preparation now.
A standardized test (GMAT, GRE, LSAT, or MCAT) is required with few exceptions for application for the Full-time BYU Marriott MBA program. Test results help us to assess your critical thinking and quantitative analysis capabilities, skills which are essential both in the MBA program and in today’s global economy.
Waiver Application Process
Our admissions team carefully reviews each applicant’s transcripts and work experience. If you believe that your complete application demonstrates excellent critical thinking and quantitative aptitude without the submission of a standardized test score, you may choose to submit a test waiver application here.
Our admissions committee will review the waiver application and approve or deny the waiver request within 2 weeks. Based on the committee’s review of your waiver application, we may require additional proof of quantitative acumen, evidence of courses completed, or request that you complete additional quantitative coursework, which may include requiring a standardized test score.
While you wait for a decision on your waiver application, we strongly encourage students to continue to prepare for the GMAT or GRE in case their waiver request is denied. Following the decision on your waiver application, you may then complete your program application as decided by the admissions committee.
Based on our experience, candidates who are most likely to be successful in the classroom have one or more of the following qualifying attributes:
- Academic Grades: Undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.6 or greater in degreed majors in science, engineering, technology, or mathematics. Undergraduate or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.8 in degrees in other majors. You must have your bachelor’s degree transcript evaluated via International Education Research Foundation Inc. (IERF) if the degree was earned from a non-United States institution. The academic rigor of the degree granting institution may be considered along with your GPA.
- Coursework: In our experience, the rigor of your coursework, the number of quantitative courses and your performance in those courses indicates probability of success in the MBA classroom. Applicants who have successfully received undergraduate or graduate-level quantitative coursework with a minimum grade of “B” or better in at least two rigorous classes (e.g. economics, finance, accounting, statistics, calculus, advanced math, engineering, or physics) are preferred.
- Certifications: CPA or CFA (or international equivalent) or other quantitatively rigorous certificates.
- Work Experience: Significant post-undergraduate full-time work experience in a quantitative, mathematical, or analytical field where the majority of your job responsibilities require rigorous quantitative analysis. Please note that working in Excel and pivot tables for simple analysis does not qualify.
- Demonstrated Grit: Professional and academic experiences that demonstrate grit and the ability to be successful in quantitative coursework.
- BYU Marriott School of Business Undergraduate degree with a GPA greater than 3.8 will be heavily weighted toward a waiver.
Submission Timeline: Once you submit your test waiver application, you can expect a two (2) week turnaround for a decision on the waiver.
Process Overview: For those applying to the Full-time MBA program, there is a separate application for a test waiver. You must start (but do not need to submit) an MBA application first, then, submit the test waiver application. You will be notified if you are awarded a waiver and then you may proceed with submitting your MBA application. All waiver application decisions are final, there is no appeals process.
Waiver Application Deadlines
All waiver applications must be submitted by the deadlines below to allow time for a waiver application to be reviewed and a decision made. These deadlines allow students to still submit their MBA application once they have received a decision. We encourage students to continue to work on their application while they wait for their waiver application decision.
Domestic (US) Students – 30 April 2024