W.P. Carey School of Business Admissions

An admissions representative from Arizona University's W.P. Carey School of Business recently took time to answer a few questions about the W.P. Carey admissions process. If you are getting ready to apply to W.P. Carey, you don’t want to miss out on this insider advice.

Can you provide a general overview of the W. P. Carey MBA admissions process?
Since the W. P. Carey MBA is an especially desirable program, currently ranked Top 30 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, we get a large number of applications that we carefully consider. The process begins with an online application requesting general personal and demographic information, an updated resume, three essay questions and an application fee. Applicants are also required to submit two letters of recommendation, official transcripts, GMAT score and TOEFL (if applicable). We have scheduled webinars and online resources about the W. P. Carey application process available on our website to assist applicants through the process. In addition, our recruiting team is more than willing to speak with you to assist with questions when preparing a competitive application to the program.

Is it better to apply early in the process?
Early applications are strongly encouraged. The full-time application for fall 2011 will be available in early September 2010. Contact our office at (480) 965-3332 or visit our website to join our applicant community, and we will alert you when the new application is available. In addition, you will begin to receive our monthly applicant e-newsletter that offers inside advice on successful application strategies, as well as information about our close-knit student community, outstanding faculty research and upcoming recruiting events. The W. P. Carey MBA full-time program generally has four application rounds beginning October and running to late spring. In order to receive a decision by the notification deadline, applicants are encouraged to submit all required application materials by the stated application deadline. All applicants admitted to the program are considered for scholarships and graduate assistantships. Last year, 75 percent of our entering full-time class received some level of financial support from the school. An early application is encouraged to maximize your opportunity to be considered for financial support.

Who conducts W. P. Carey admissions interviews?
Admissions interviews are by invitation only and are conducted by an MBA staff representative and a current MBA student. An in-person interview is strongly encouraged. In addition to the admissions interview, the visit includes the opportunity to sit in on an MBA classroom, participate in a campus tour and visit with a current student to ask questions about his or her MBA experience.

Do you have any interview tips for MBA applicants?
Applicants should have a general familiarity with the W. P. Carey MBA program and the academic offerings. Applicants should be prepared to speak about themselves and their professional experiences and why they are interested in the W. P. Carey MBA. We also want to get a sense of the applicant’s personality to assess his or her fit in the W. P. Carey MBA student community.

How important is an applicant’s GMAT score?
The GMAT is used to help assess academic success in graduate business curriculum. The average GMAT for the incoming full-time class for fall 2009 was 673. We also look closely at the undergraduate transcripts to assess past academic performance. If the undergraduate GPA is significantly below the incoming class profile (average GPA for fall 2009 was a 3.3), then it is important to focus on preparing and doing well on the GMAT to compensate for the lower GPA. In addition to GMAT and GPA, we focus heavily on the applicant’s work experience, essays and letters of recommendation. The personal interview is also a very important component of the admissions process, as it helps us assess leadership potential.

In regards to undergraduate study, do you consider other factors besides performance? For example, does it matter where an applicant completed their undergraduate schooling?
We take all aspects of the undergraduate experience into consideration. We look for student involvement and internships, leadership positions in clubs and organizations, community service and team projects. If an applicant attended a smaller undergraduate program, this certainly would not eliminate him or her from consideration. Our program appreciates all perspectives, including personal experiences, because a unique background provides an interesting point of differentiation that would influence how a student approaches business concepts, problem solves and works with others.

What is your position on people who apply to your MBA program directly out of college?
We admit a handful of students directly from undergraduate programs through our Emerging Leaders program. We look for students who blend outstanding academic performance with interpersonal/leadership qualities. A thorough interview process is completed with these high-achieving applicants. Applicants who are most successful in our MBA program have a stellar academic background, have a strong GMAT score, are involved as leaders in their undergraduate programs and have worked as an intern for one or many organizations. In addition, these students are focused and understand how the MBA will help them with their future goals. Most often, these students know specifically what kind of job and industry they are looking to enter.

Does race, ethnicity, sex, and cultural background play much of a role in W. P. Carey admission decisions?
The W. P. Carey MBA seeks out and values diversity of all types in the applicant pool and student population. Applicants of diverse backgrounds should speak about how their diverse perspectives or past experiences can bring value to the MBA experience. These experiences can be shared in the essay questions and at the personal interview. At the W. P. Carey MBA, we have a number of diversity-focused recruiting events, as well as student clubs and organizations. In addition, we celebrate diversity through student programming and events.