Walker College of Business

Graduate School Application

Applications must be submitted and the fee paid by the applicable deadline.  Required supporting documents may be received after the deadline as long as the application is complete in time for review prior to orientation and the start of the applicable term. If it appears to be too late to apply, or you have outstanding supporting documents after the application deadline, please contact the program director to discuss options.

Access the Graduate School application

Transcript

Submit unofficial transcripts from institutions where you have earned a degree(s) (bachelors or higher) and/or are currently enrolled in-progress of a degree.  If you attended Appalachian State University, you do not need to request your official App State transcript.  Simply list Appalachian in your academic history in the application, and the registrar's office will provide the official transcript to the graduate school once the application is otherwise complete.  International transcripts must be evaluated for US equivalency.  Applicants may use this form to apply for an evaluation of a foreign transcript at a discounted price. 

GMAT/GRE

For this program, a test score (no older than 5 years) from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is accepted. Visit Testing Services for more test information.  Test scores and GPA information are important factors in admission decisions. 

NOTE: Prospective MBA students may qualify for a waiver if they meet any one of the following criteria: 

• a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher PLUS 5 or more years of full-time, professional work or military experience, with at least one recommendation letter from the direct supervisor detailing the applicant's role while employed; or
• a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher; or
• membership in Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society; or
• an earned master's degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher; or
• an earned graduate certificate with a 3.3 GPA or higher

Please contact the Program Director to verify eligibility. An approved waiver request does not guarantee admission to the program.

Personal Statement

Please upload a Personal Statement (500-750 words) on what has prompted your interest in obtaining a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree and what appeals to you about the program at Appalachian in particular.  Include your professional plans or ambitions once you have completed your master’s degree.  You may also address any elements of your application that warrant further explanation, or share with the reviewers anything else that should be considered.

Recommendations

Please do not submit personal recommendations (family members, friends, etc.), as these may not provide meaningful information to the reviewers.  The best recommendations come from faculty, employers, and coworkers who know you well and can comment on skills directly relevant to your intended course of study.  Recommendations from high school are not current enough for the purpose of this review.

As you fill out the online application form, you will be prompted for the email addresses of your recommenders. The Graduate School will contact them with submission instructions. Please note that three letters of recommendation are required for admission.

Resume

A current resume should accompany the application and include a history of education, military and work experience with an emphasis on any managerial or leadership responsibilities and team projects. 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English and/or whose principal language of university instruction was not English must submit scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Learn more.