Application Process
COVID-19 RESPONSE
Deadlines: Smeal has extended application deadlines in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The college is waiving the original April 1 deadline and will now accept applications on a rolling basis for the Penn State Smeal MBA Program.
Since Penn State has transitioned to virtual instruction and staff are operating remotely, the Smeal graduate admissions team and ambassadors are available to meet with prospective students virtually. The team will be expediting reviews received after April 1 to ensure applicants have sufficient time to obtain the necessary transcripts, exam scores, and travel visas.
GMAT/GRE Scores: The Penn State Smeal MBA Program is accepting GRE and GMAT at-home exams and is waiving the exam requirement for candidates with strong quantitative backgrounds or educational experience, regardless of work experience. Applicants may also submit other standardized test scores (LSAT, MCAT, etc.) to showcase academic ability. Applicants with active GME/GMAT scores will be eligible for an application fee waiver.
Admission Criteria
The Penn State Smeal MBA Program features a multi-step application process, during which you will be asked to submit the following:
- Penn State Graduate School Application
- GMAT or GRE Scores
- Admissions Essay - What are your short-term and long-term career goals? How does your past experience enable you to achieve these goals? How do you see your MBA experience fitting into this plan? (600 Word Limit)
- Resume
- Copies of Official Educational Transcripts
- Video Application Response
- Letters of Recommendation
- Official English Language Proficiency Exam Scores (International Candidates)
- Application Fee: $65
Application Deadlines
The Penn State Smeal MBA features multiple application deadlines throughout the year. Application reviews and decisions are made on a rolling basis. All aspects of the application process must be completed, submitted, and received by the applicable deadline to be considered for admission.
| Deadlines for Fall 2020 Intake | Submit Your Application By | Expect a Decision By |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Round | October 1 | December 1 |
| 2nd Round | December 1 | February 1 |
| 3rd Round | February 1 | April 1 |
| 4th Round | Rolling admission through June 1 | June 1 |
Admission Decisions
All applications will be reviewed by both the Penn State Smeal MBA Program Admissions Office (MBA requirements and admissions criteria) and the Penn State Graduate School (verification of educational documentation and credentials and international visa requirements). You may be contacted by parties from either area.
Admission is granted first by the Smeal MBA Program and then by the Penn State Graduate School. The Graduate School does not act on your application without a recommendation from the MBA Admissions Office. The only accurate way to confirm receipt of your application materials and to check the status of your application is to contact the Smeal MBA Admissions Office at smealmba@psu.edu.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
The Penn State Smeal College of Business has a strong commitment to ethics and integrity as reflected in our Honor Code. The admissions committee will not tolerate any form of plagiarism or appearance of impropriety in an applicant’s materials. To ensure academic integrity, all essays will be confirmed through iThenticate authenticity software.
For more information on academic integrity and plagiarism: "Academic Integrity" and "Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Copyright"
Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a deny decision. Email smealmba@psu.edu with questions.
Agents and Consultants
Although Penn State recognizes that agents or consultants are retained in many parts of the world to assist students in applying to colleges and universities in the United States, Penn State does not partner with agents to recruit students or to administer the application process. Agents or consultants retained by students to help with the application process are not recognized as representatives of the University and do not have a contractual agreement or partnership to represent Penn State.
Please ensure that any agent or consultant engaged adheres to principles of ethics in the admission process, including guidelines regarding academic integrity. To ensure academic integrity, all essays will be confirmed through iThenticate authenticity software.