Question: What must I do to apply to the MBA program?
Answer: “Full” admission requires the completion of all admissions requirements.
At a minimum, the application/fee and transcripts can be submitted. (Transcripts are required from every school attended.) This will result in “conditional” admission. Prerequisite courses may be taken as a conditional MBA student but no MBA coursework is allowed until all entrance requirements are completed.
Question: Why are prerequisites necessary?
Answer: The prerequisites represent an introductory body of knowledge that is required, prior to enrolling in MBA core courses. Prerequisites help students succeed.
Question: What are the required MBA prerequisites?
Answer: See a complete list of prerequisites.
Question: How will I know what prerequisite requirements I need?
Answer: When the MBA faculty review your application portfolio (including your undergraduate transcripts) your prerequisite deficiencies, if any, will be identified.
Question: What if I had equivalent courses several years ago?
Answer: As a rule, prerequisite requirements need to be completed within the past 5 years. From time to time exceptions are made based on the total content of the application portfolio.
Question: What GMAT score is needed?
Answer: The MBA faculty prefer GMAT scores in the 500s. Lower scores have been accepted when accompanied by strong undergraduate GPAs and/or other strong application materials. (No scores under 400 are considered.)
Question: What if I think I have substantial managerial experience and thus will not need the GMAT?
Answer: In order to evaluate substantial managerial experience, faculty need your resume, statement of purpose and three reference letters. After these are reviewed, you will be notified of whether you qualify with experience or whether you will need a GMAT.
Question: Who should write my reference letters?
Answer: Letters can be from instructors, employers, professional peers or those who can evaluate your capacity to work at a graduate level. If you are wanting the GMAT waived in lieu of substantial managerial experience and supervisory responsibility, be sure these letters document this experience thoroughly.
Question: May I see what my references write?
Answer: If you put reference names and email addresses into your online application, the application will email your references for you. References will be given a link to return letters that are then posted to your application file. In this case, you will not be able to see the content. You will only know the letters have been received. But you may retrieve your reference letters yourself and then upload them to your application file. These letters you will be able to review. Either process is acceptable.
Question: What is the application deadline?
Answer: Springfield Campus: Applications are accepted and processed continuously. However, applications can take 3-4 weeks to process. Thus, it is suggested that you submit your application at least 6 weeks in advance of the semester in which you would like to begin coursework. (Earlier is better!) Please note that some educational institutions take a long time to send out transcripts after you request them. Application processing will not begin until the application fee and transcripts are received.
Peoria: New Peoria MBA Cohorts begin only in the fall. Application prior to April 1 is encouraged. Sometimes we are able to accept applications after this date, but only if vacancies are still available. Please contact the MBA program office at (217) 206-7920 for deadline exceptions.
Internationals: Find graduate international applicant requirements and deadlines on the UIS Admissions website.
Question: How do I submit my application and other entrance requirements.
Answer: The application is completed online and the application fee is paid online. (However, a paper application is available.) Once starting the process you are able to return to your file and upload other requirements. Official transcripts should be sent to the UIS Office of Admissions.
Question: How will I know if I have been accepted?
Answer: Acknowledgement of your application will be sent to you from the MBA program office. This will either be an acceptance letter or a checklist of items still needed in order to complete your full application to the MBA. Note: This is likely to take 3-4 weeks after your application, fee and transcripts are received by the Office of Admissions.
Question: When will I receive an advisor?
Answer: When you are ready to begin MBA coursework, you will receive an faculty academic adviser. During the admission process and while you are completing prerequisites, you will receive guidance from MBA program staff.
Question: What if I have unanswered questions?
Answer: Contact the MBA program office at (217) 206-7920.