Business

Richard T. Doermer School of Business
Melissa Gruys, Ph.D. - Dean
Carrie Fabian Stumph, Ph.D., Director of MBA Program and Continuing Lecturer in Economics
260-481-6495 ~ Fax: 260-481-6879
Neff Hall 360D - 260-481-6498
e-mail: stumphc@ipfw.edu

Admission

The Doermer School of Business seeks candidates whose analytical abilities, leadership, interpersonal skills, and personal motivation indicate a strong potential to excel in a business career. Candidates are required to hold a four-year undergraduate degree in any discipline from a recognized institution.

The MBA Policy Committee considers a number of characteristics essential for success in the program and evaluates a candidate for admission based on these characteristics. An ability to excel in the MBA+ program is indicated by a high GMAT score (GMAT is not required for the Accelerated MBA Program), past academic achievements (undergraduate GPA), and recommendations that speak to the candidate’s intellectual capacity. In addition, the committee considers several individual factors to be of equal importance. Motivation and leadership, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills, are highly valued in a professional manager. Successful candidates have these proven characteristics, which are revealed in past work experience, a self-evaluation essay, and recommendation letters. The committee carefully weighs all of these factors in making an admission recommendation to the Doermer School of Business.

Admission decisions are valid for twelve months from the semester of acceptance indicated in the applicant’s admission letter. Successful applicants who have not completed any degree-applicable courses within that period must reapply for admission.

Educational Objective Statement (Essay)

Applicants must provide an essay of 400-500 words indicating their experiences and achievements that reflect management, leadership, organization, creativity, maturity, initiative, and administrative skills. In addition, you should specify educational objectives as you contemplate beginning studies for the MBA program

Transcripts

Applicants must have official transcripts sent directly to the MBA office from every college or university they have attended. Unofficial records or transcripts that have been issued to applicants cannot be accepted.

Recommendations

Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. Recommendation forms are included in the application packet. Recommendations should be obtained only from individuals qualified to evaluate an applicant’s academic or on-the-job performance and attest to his or her ability to pursue a graduate degree. Suggested recommenders are employee supervisors or college professors.

Language Competency

All international student applicants, whose native language is not English, must submit proof of English proficiency with their admission application. The most common way of demonstrating English proficiency is through taking a standardized exam. If the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is taken, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based test, 213 on the computer based or 550 on the paper-based test is required. Applicants taking the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) must achieve a minimum score of 6.5. If the applicant resides in the United States, a Michigan test score of 80 is required for admission consideration.

Conditional Admission

Applicants may be granted conditional admission at the discretion of the director and/or MBA Policy Committee. Specific requirements of conditional admission will be addressed in the applicant’s letter of admission. Conditional admission for prospective international students whose native language is other than English may be offered based on successfully completing ELS program level 112. IPFW will accept requisite score results on the TOEFL or IELTS examinations, or the ELS Level 112 Certificate of Completion as proof of English proficiency. Upon completion of English proficiency requirements, students must pass a program interview for admission into the program.

Deadlines **

Completed applications for the MBA+ or the Accelerated MBA Programs and all required supporting materials should be received by the admissions deadline dates to assure timely admission decisions.

**All MBA+ or Accelerated MBA application deadlines are listed on the MBA Program website at: http://ipfw.edu/mba.