What to expect when applying for a business master’s in the US

Studying a business master’s degree in the US means you’re guaranteed a high-quality education from esteemed faculty members at some of the best business schools in the world.  

Before you visualise yourself taking on an internship at one of the Big Four companies or studying on campus, it’s important to prepare all your documents well in advance of application deadlines, especially if you’re an international student where processing times may take a little longer.  

Here’s what you need to know about applying for a business master’s in the US. 

Finalise a list of business schools you want to apply to 

One of the advantages of studying in the US is the large variety of business programmes on offer. As a starting point, use the QS Business Master’s Rankings 2023 to discover the top schools across different specialisations: business analytics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain management.   

Use the ‘Location’ filter to narrow down US schools for the specialisation you’re interested in. Be sure to also consider sorting the table by rankings indicators such as employability, alumni outcomes and diversity to help you decide which schools are a good fit for your priorities.  

Work out what aspects are important to you, such as the school’s industry connections or support services available for students, and make sure you ask those questions when speaking to schools.  

As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you should apply to a maximum of six schools in order to ensure that you’re submitting a strong application for each institution. Although application cycles for master’s programmes in the US have several rounds which normally fall between December to April, take note of each school’s deadline.  

Prepare your documentation 

Before you apply, gather all relevant documents as listed by the school’s entry requirements. Here’s an example of what a typical checklist may look like: 

• Resume: Most schools will ask for a one-page resume listing academic and professional experience in chronological order. While many business master’s programmes are designed for students with little work experience or non-business majors, list any relevant internships or work experience along with key skills learned and achievements.  

• Written essay: To help demonstrate your interest in the subject area and career intentions, written essays are normally required as part of the application process. 
  
  For example, applicants for the master’s in finance at USC Marshall School of Business (ranked 29th globally and fourth best school in the US for finance according to the QS Business Master’s ranking) must submit two 300-word essays: the first on what roles, companies, industries and regions you see yourself working in and how Marshall's MSF programme will help you achieve your goals. The second essay asks you to describe yourself outside of your academic accomplishments.  
  
  Some schools will also include optional essay questions if you feel there are additional points you’d like to add which haven’t already been mentioned.  
  
  To avoid submitting a generic response, tailoring your essay to each institution and their unique offerings, such as specific modules, is key in demonstrating your interest.  

• Video essays: Although essays in video format are less common than written essays, more schools are using them to gauge a candidate’s communication style off-paper. Depending on your chosen institution, you may be given questions beforehand, but some schools such as MIT Sloan ask candidates to respond to an unseen, open-ended question which doesn’t require previous preparation. 
  
  As nerve-wracking as it may sound, remember this is your opportunity to give the admissions panel an insight into what you can bring to the programme. 

• Letters of recommendation: Used to learn more about your personal qualities and previous achievements. The exact number required varies by school, but you should expect to have between one to three letters. 
  
  Business schools will normally accept either an academic reference, such as your class professor, or a previous employer if you have professional experience. Some schools prefer both in order to understand more about you in both contexts. 
  
  It’s worth pointing out that you cannot submit letters yourself and they must be provided through the application system. Ensure that your recommenders are aware of the deadline to avoid any delays with your application. 

• GMAT/GRE test: To ascertain your preparedness for graduate business study, you’ll need to submit a valid GMAT or GRE test score. Each school will have their own rule on how long your test score is valid for, but usually five years is the average time. Test scores will often need to be sent before you submit your final application so it’s important to factor this into your preparation. Learn more about free GMAT prep tools here.  

• English language proficiency test: Exact requirements on which candidates need to take the TOEFL or IELTS test will vary according to each school but, generally speaking, if English is not your native language or you studied at an institution where English wasn’t the sole language of instruction, you’ll also need to submit these scores. Check each school’s minimum score requirement before you decide to apply.  

• Prepare for an interview: Not all applicants will be called for an interview but if you are it’s important to read over your essays and resume to anticipate any questions that may come up.  
  
  For example, applying for the master’s in management at Michigan Ross School of Business (ranked 18th in the QS Business Master’s Ranking for management), may involve a 20-minute video conference interview by a member of the admissions committee or programme office staff.
  
  You can expect to be asked behavioural type questions as well as application-specific questions. In addition to testing your critical thinking, be prepared to answer questions on how you can contribute to an inclusive school environment.  

• Submit your transcripts: Postgraduate study in the US requires international students to hold the equivalent of a four-year US degree. You may be asked to submit a Course-by-Course (ICAP) WES Evaluation Report to see how your degree is valued in the US. If the official language of your transcript isn’t in English, you may also need to submit a certified English translation of your academic record along with the original document.  

• Pay the application fee: You’ve made it to the end of the application process – hurrah! Before you can celebrate, factor in the cost of applying to each school. Fees can range from US$50 to US$200 for each institution. 

Apply with a QS counsellor 

You can apply to study in the US with a QS counsellor in one simple application.  

Get support to choose and apply to top-ranked business schools and our QS counsellors will help you understand the various application processes in different countries, provide guidance on visas and scholarships, and sometimes they can even apply on your behalf. It’s free to apply with us. Apply now.