How to Get into Carlson School of Management?
Carlson School of Management is located in the heart of Minneapolis-St. Paul, one of the US’s top places to live and work. The business school is situated inside the picturesque University of Minnesota campus. Established in 1919, Carlson has sustained its reputation of promoting cutting-edge business research and cultivating world-class faculty over many decades.
The University of Minnesota MBA program wants its students to be well-versed in business and management fundamentals and recognize the core values of business management. The rigorous 15-month experiential learning curriculum is one of the key features of the Carlson MBA program. The mandatory program allows students to work with local companies on solving real-world problems.
The small but diverse class size of the Carlson, University of Minnesota MBA program results in an intimate learning experience where students get personal support and develop a strong sense of community.
Carlson MBA Ranking
Carlson regularly features among the prominent US B-schools. Following are the latest Carlson MBA ranking according to some leading publications.
| Source | Ranking |
| US News | #33 |
| Bloomberg Business | #34 |
| Economist | #31 |
Carlson MBA Program Types
Carlson School of Management offers six types of MBA programs- full-time, part-time, online, executive, global, and the newly launched Management Science MBA. The course design and exposure are almost similar across all the Carlson MBA program formats. However, we’ll mainly discuss the full-time program, which attracts most international applications.
The full-time Carlson MBA program has an intense 64-credit curriculum comprising a mix of core courses and electives. The unique hands-on learning approach helps students identify their true potential and become inquisitive thinkers.
The new Management Science MBA program is a STEM-designated full-time MBA program. The Carlson MBA STEM program is suitable for students who want to develop a specific skill set in programming, analytics, forecasting, operations research, and statistical modeling.
Students can also pursue the one-year Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. The Carlson MSBA program can enhance your data analytics skills and boost your earning potential.
Carlson MBA Class Profile
A B-school’s class profile can give you an idea of how good your profile is to secure admission to that B-school. It can also tell you the areas in your application that require improvement. Following is the latest Carlson MBA class profile available on their website.
| Particulars | Full-Time MBA Class Profile |
| Average Class Size | 89 |
| Percentage of Women | 32 |
| Percentage of International Students | 19 |
| Median GMAT | 690 |
| Median GPA | 3.45 |
| Average Age | 28.7 |
| Average Work Experience (in years) | 4.74 |
Carlson MBA Acceptance Rate
As per Carlson’s 2021 annual report, 184 students were admitted out of 342 applicants to its full-time MBA program (Fall 20). Therefore, the Carlson MBA acceptance rate is around 53.8%, which means one out of every two applicants can get into the Carlson School of Management MBA program.
However, the acceptance rate is just one indicator. Consider the class profile and the overall strength of your application to have a clearer picture of your admission probabilities.
Carlson MBA Deadlines
Following are the Carlson MBA deadlines for the Fall (September) cycle of the full-time MBA program. The Adcom will extend the deadlines to the next business day if they occur on weekends or holidays.
| Rounds | Application Deadlines | Decision Notification |
| Round 1 | October 1 | November 15 |
| Round 2 | December 1 | February 1 |
| Round 3 | February 1 | March 15 |
Disclaimer: Although the dates are verified from Carlson’s official website, keep checking the official website to know any potential change in dates.
While there can be a further Round 4, Round 3 is the last admission round for international applicants.
Carlson School of Management MBA Fees
It’s crucial to know a rough estimate of Carlson School of Management MBA fees and other costs before you proceed further. Following is an approximate fee structure for the University of Minnesota MBA full-time program.
| Particulars | Fee Amount for International Students (in $) |
| Total Annual Cost (Tuition, books, insurance, etc.) | 63,329 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses Per year | 17,000 |
| Total Cost Per Year | 80,329 |
| Academic Records Fee (One-time) | 150 |
| Tuition Deposits (One-time) | 1,500 |
| Optional Costs for 2 years ( MBA Student Club Fee + MBA Student Partner Fee) | 600 |
| Global Experience | varies |
Disclaimer:- The above fee structure is provided to help you prepare a rough budget. Check the official website for the latest fee structure.
Carlson MBA Scholarship and Financial Aid
While a University of Minnesota MBA can help boost one’s career, the high cost involved can be a deterrent for many, especially international applicants. However, the Carlson School of Management offers numerous scholarships and financial aid that you can avail of to bring down the cost of an MBA.
Every full-time MBA applicant is automatically considered for most academic merit-based scholarships and fellowships during the admission process. Some of these scholarships are listed below.
- The Carlson School Deans and Fellows Awards
- U of M Alumnus Fellowship
- Scholarships for Women
- Scholarships for International Students
Carlson, University of Minnesota MBA Requirements
One of the most important University of Minnesota MBA requirements for applicants applying for the full-time MBA program is to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in the USA. International applicants with an equivalent degree from an officially recognized university outside the USA are also eligible to apply for the program.
The University of Minnesota, Carlson MBA Application Process
1. Online Application
This is the first step of the application process. You need to create an account and fill up the online application.
2. Transcripts
You can submit your unofficial transcripts through the online application or mail them to mbamsapp@umn.edu. Submit transcripts from each college or university you have attended to date. Applicants from India can submit mark sheet copies attested by university personnel or government officials.
3. GMAT
Submit a GMAT score not less than five years old. While there is no minimum GMAT requirement, it is advised to aim for a good score. The average GMAT for the University of Minnesota MBA program is around 690.
4. Professional Recommendations
Carlson requires two professional recommendations to be attached to your MBA application. However, you can submit up to six recommendation letters.
- Provide the names and contact information of your recommenders.
- Your recommenders will receive an email from the Carlson business school.
- They can submit the online recommendation anytime before and after you submit your application.
5. Personal Statement
You need to submit an essay of not more than 1,200 words. The MBA essay for the Carlson School of Management is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your suitability. Use this opportunity to precisely describe your long-term and short-term goals, what you wish to accomplish, and how a Carlson MBA program is going to help you achieve your goals.
Moreover, explain how you can bring unique experiences and discussions into the classroom and enrich the diversity of your class.
6. Language Proficiency Test
Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds, countries or educational environments must submit a valid English language proficiency test score such as TOEFL or IELTS.
7. Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is charged to all applicants.
8. Current Resume
Your resume should highlight your professional accomplishments and the job responsibilities you have undertaken until now.
9. Video Essay
You will need strong internet connectivity and a computer with a camera and microphone to record and upload your video essay. Once you click the “Ready” button, you will be asked a random question from a set of questions. You’ll get two minutes each to prepare and record your response.
Remember, you’ll only get one attempt to record your official video essay.
10. Interview
The admission committee will call you for an interview if your application is selected after initial review. You can appear for the interview online through Skype. If selected, you’ll receive a mail confirming your admission.
Carlson school of management MBA offers endless career possibilities. Students receive extensive coaching from Carlson school’s Graduate Business Career Centre from the first day. Besides, the b-school has deep ties with several companies and a vast alum network that helps current students find suitable employment post-MBA.
FAQs related to University of Minnesota Carlson Business School MBA
1. Is work experience required at Carlson School of Management?
While work experience is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended to have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience. The admission committee likes to see a career progression in your work experience. Full-time MBA students at Carlson typically have four years of work experience.
2. I already have an MBA. Can I apply for MBA at Carlson?
You’re not eligible to pursue a Carlson MBA program if you already have an MBA from an AACSB-accredited business school.
3. Does Carlson School of Management allow its full-time MBA students to work?
Although there is no specific policy to stop students from working, it is highly recommended not to work, especially during the first year. However, you may consider a part-time job in the second year.
4. I am from a non-science background. Can I enter the full-time Carlson MBA program?
People from diverse backgrounds, like arts, commerce, etc., pursue the University of Minnesota MBA program. However, you may consider taking an introductory course on statistics, business calculus, or accounting if you don’t have an extensive quantitative background.
