Tepper School of Business is the business school of Carnegie Mellon University. It is ranked among the world’s best business schools. The business school follows a highly selective admission policy. In fall 2020, 23% candidates were accepted out of the 3,295 applications received. Students of the admitted class of 2020 had high average scores and GPA of 3.88.
Tepper offers Undergraduate Business Administration (UBA) and Undergraduate Economics programs that recorded around 13% and 21% international enrollment respectively. The business school also offers 4 master’s degree programs and MBA program with full-time, part-time and hybrid study options.
Some points to kept in mind while applying to the Tepper School of Business are as follows:
- The university opens admissions for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.
- Undergraduate applicants are offered early decision, early action and regular decision deadlines.
- Graduate program applications are accepted in multiple rounds.
- SAT/ ACT scores are optional for admission to undergraduate programs.
- GRE/ GMAT/ EA scores are required for graduate programs regardless of academic coursework or work experience.
- Work experience combined with a competitive GMAT/ GRE score is a valuable addition to the application.
- Interviews are a part of the evaluation process and are available on invitation only.
COVID-19 Admission Updates
- Carnegie Mellon University has announced a test-optional policy for one-year which implies that first-year Fall 2021 applicants are not required to submit SAT/ ACT scores for admission consideration.
- In wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the business school will accept online versions of GMAT/ GRE until further notice.
- The University will accept online versions of TOEFL and IELTS scores for admission.
Highlights
Application Portal | Common Application/ Online Application |
Application Fee | Undergraduate: 75 USD; Graduate: 75-125 USD |
Mode of Payment | Credit card |
Acceptance Rate | 23% |
Average SAT Score | 730-760 (ERW) 790-800 (Math) |
Average ACT score | 34-35 |
Academic Calendar | Semester based |
Intake Seasons | Fall/ Spring |
Work Experience | Required for some graduate programs |
Financial Aid | Scholarships, loans, grants |
Tepper School of Business Admission Deadlines
Students are requested to submit their applications prior to the deadlines to be considered for admission. The application deadlines for undergraduate students are:
Decision Type | Application Deadline | Decision By |
---|---|---|
Early Decision | November 1 | December 15 |
Regular Decision | January 4 | April 1 |
Early Action | January 1 | April 15 |
Application deadlines for graduate programs differ from program to program.
Tepper School of Business International Student Admissions
Tepper School of Business accepts international applicants provided they meet the academic standards set by the University. The application process is similar for both domestic and international applicants.
Application Portal: Undergraduate – Common Application; Graduate – Differs from program to program
Application Fee: Undergraduate: 75 USD; Graduate: 75-200 USD (depending on the choice of program)
Admission Requirements: International applicants must submit the following documents to be eligible for admission:
- Completed application form
- Official high school transcripts
- Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
- TOEFL/ IELTS score required (TOEFL iBT scores are accepted)
- Scores of exams to study in the U.S.
- Academic/ Professional Recommendations
- Carnegie Mellon Common Application Writing Supplement (three short answer questions)
- Current resume
- Financial statement
- Essay
- Letter of recommendation
English Language Proficiency Requirements
All non-native English speakers must submit proof of English language proficiency. The business school accepts TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum score requirements are as follows:
Test | Required scores |
---|---|
TOEFL (iBT) | 102 or better |
IELTS | 7.5 or better |
Visa Process for International Students
International students planning to study in the U.S. must apply for a F-1 or J-1 student visa. Accepted students will receive a form I-20 via mail. The steps to apply for a visa are as follows:
- After receiving the form I-20, students should contact the U.S. Embassy in their home country and complete a visa application.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fees and keep a copy of the receipt.
- The documents required to apply for a visa are as follows:
- Copy of passport
- Original I-20
- Receipt of SEVIS fee payment
- Proof of health insurance
- Academic Transcripts
- Documents showing intention to return to your home country.
- Schedule and attend the visa interview at the embassy.
Since the program is delivered fully online, enrollment in the program will not qualify students for a student visa to enter the U.S., including campus experiences. Should a student who requires a U.S. visa choose to attend the campus, he/she will need to obtain one using other qualifying factors (work, tourism, etc.), related to the purpose of their visit to the U.S. Otherwise, the student may attend the experience virtually.
Tepper School of Business Undergraduate Admissions
Tepper School of Business offers undergraduate degrees in Business and Economics. Applicants for the business school must possess the high school course requirements which should include 4 years of English, 4 years of Mathematics, 1 year Chemistry, 1 year Physics, 1 year of Biology, 2 year of Foreign language and 3 electives.
Where to Apply: Common Application
Application Fee: 75 USD
Admission Requirements: Applicants for undergraduate programs must submit the following documents along with the application:
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT/ ACT scores have been made optional only for 2021 applicants.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Secondary School Counselor Evaluation
- Teacher Recommendation
- Common Application essay
- Carnegie Mellon Common Application Writing Supplement (three short answer questions)
The class of fall 2020 had the following averages:
- Average SAT ERW score: 730-760
- Average SAT Math score: 790-800
- Average ACT score: 34-35
- Average high school GPA: 3.88
Tepper School of Business Graduate Admissions
Graduate programs offered at Tepper School of Business include 5 master’s degrees in business administration, business analytics, product management, computational finance and integrated innovation for products and services and a Ph.D. degree. Applicants for graduate degree programs must possess a completed bachelor’s degree program and meet additional program-specific requirements.
Where to Apply: Program Application Portal
Application Fee: 75-125 USD (varies from program to program)
Admission Requirements: The general admission requirements for graduate programs are as follows:
- Transcripts of all academic records
- Official GMAT/ GRE or EA score or test waiver
- English language proficiency test scores
- Current resume
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Work experience
- Interview
The program specific requirements for admission to graduate programs at the Tepper School of Business are as follows:
Requirements | MBA | Master of Science in Business Analytics | Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services | Master of Science in Computational Finance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Application Deadlines | Round 1: October 4, 2020 Round 2: January 10, 2020 Round 3: March 2, 2021 Round 4: April 12, 2021 | Round 1: November 15, 2020; Round 2: February 14, 2021; Round 3: April 11, 2021; Round 4: May 16, 2021 | Fall – January 20 | Round 1: December 10, 2020; Round 2: March 15, 2021 |
Application fee | 200 USD | 125 USD | 75 USD | 125 USD |
Average GPA | 3.32 | – | – | 3.79 |
Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Resume | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Essay | Required | Required | Video essay should be submitted | 2 short essays plus a 90 second video response |
GMAT, GRE, EA Scores | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Average GMAT/ GRE score | Average GMAT score of 680 | Average GMAT score of 641 | Average GRE score of 161 | Average GRE score of 169 |
Letter of Recommendation | Required, 1 LOR | Required, 2 LORs | Required, 3 LORs | Required, 3 LORs |
Interview | On invitation only | On invitation only | On invitation only | On invitation only |
Any supporting document must be uploaded through the application portal via the application status page. Upon successful admission, students will be asked to submit official academic documents. The University may conduct evaluative interviews. Invitations for interviews are sent within one week from the application deadline. Admission decisions are communicated to students depending on the volume of applications within 5-6 weeks via email. International applicants are advised to apply in round 1 to get sufficient time for visa processing.