Admissions Overview
In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must have earned an undergraduate bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a satisfactory grade point average.
Applicants whose first language is not English must have a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo.
Full-Time post-undergraduate work experience of 3 or more years is strongly preferred for the Full-Time MBA program, but we will consider meaningful internships and other criteria as part of our holistic application review process.
A current copy of your résumé is required and must be uploaded in the supplemental items section of the online application. Please include the month and year you started and ended each professional employment. Full-length or long-format résumés are welcome. Applicants DO NOT need to edit their résumé down to a one-page version.
In your Personal Statement Essay, help us to understand your decision to pursue graduate education at the Kogod School of Business.
The essay should be no longer than 750 words and uploaded as a PDF file.
Applicants must answer each of the following questions below, please be as specific as possible.
- Describe your short-term (immediately after graduation) and long-term (5 to 10 years after graduation) career goals. Provide specific examples of roles, industries and target organizations you would like to pursue.
- How did you decide to pursue these goals? Were there specific experiences that helped shape your professional career path?
The Optional Essay provides applicants with the opportunity to share additional information about themselves with the Admissions Committee. The Optional Essay is not required, and the majority of applicants do not submit an Optional Essay. However, if you feel there is anything unclear in your application, you may use the Optional Essay to provide additional context.
The letter of recommendation should be coordinated electronically; however, if this is not possible, recommendations may be submitted by the recommender using the email option listed below. Letters submitted directly by the applicant will not be accepted. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the recommender.
Email Submission
The recommender can email their recommendation directly to GraduateAdmissionsDocuments@american.edu with the subject line “Kogod Recommendation Enclosed–APPLICANT NAME.”
Transcripts detailing your academic record must be provided beginning with the institution from which you received your bachelor’s degree, along with institutions from which you have earned any other undergraduate or graduate credits, even if a degree was not earned.
- Students are required to submit unofficial transcripts from each institution attended regardless of degree completion. They can typically be downloaded from a university's student portal or through the office of the registrar.
- Unofficial transcripts must include courses taken and grades received.
- If your transcript is not in English, we ask that the transcript is translated and evaluated. Our accepted credential evaluation services are CDGDC, ECE, Education USA, and WES.
- Transcripts are not required for courses taken as part of a study abroad program if the courses are listed on the undergraduate transcript.
- Transcripts are not required for courses completed for professional development purposes only.
- Please ensure that your unofficial transcript shows that you have graduated. If your transcript does not show degree completion, please also provide a copy of your diploma.
- If your degree is currently in progress, you will need to show degree conferral before matriculation.
- In the event you are admitted and choose to enroll at Kogod, we will require the submission of official transcripts from all institutions attended.
Official Transcript Submission Guidelines:
- Official electronic submissions should be sent from your university registrar(s) to Kogod Graduate Admissions at GraduateAdmissionsDocuments@american.edu.
- Official paper submissions should be mailed from your university registrar(s) directly to Kogod Graduate Admissions. If the transcript is issued directly to you, it must remain in a sealed envelope. Once a sealed transcript envelope is opened, it is no longer considered official.
You have the following options for mailing your official transcript(s):
US Mail (USPS)
Kogod Graduate Admissions Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081
Courier Address/Overnight: (FEDEX, UPS, DHL, etc.)
Kogod Graduate Admissions Office of Enrollment
4801 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Suite 218
Washington, DC 20016-8081
- Official submissions for current and former AU students are not required. We will work with the university registrar to receive an official transcript and confirm degree conferral.
This essay must be different from your Statement of Purpose, should be no longer than 500 words and uploaded as a PDF file.
In your GMAT/GRE Waiver Essay, describe experiences which have prepared you for success in a quantitative graduate program. In writing this essay, many applicants discuss the following:- Relevant coursework or degrees (for example: mathematics, statistics, economics, accounting, finance)
- Professional experience with analytical or quantitative work (for example: research, data analysis, budgets, software)
- Advanced degrees or professional certifications (for example: CPA, CFA, PMP)
- Other quantitative experiences (for example: programming, technical projects, related hobbies)
GMAT/GRE Score Submission Guidelines:
To submit official GMAT or GRE scores, please refer to the reporting codes below. Unofficial GMAT or GRE Scores can be uploaded into the supplemental items section of the application and can be used to move an application forward in the review process.
Please note that once standardized test scores are shared, we are unable to remove them from your application. Scores must be no more than five years old.
Kogod GMAT Score Report Code:
Full-time MBA (RN4-J4-01)
Kogod GRE Score Report Code:
All Programs (5007)
Official test scores are required in the event you are admitted and choose to enroll at Kogod.
Evaluative interviews are reserved for candidates who have passed the initial screening phase of the application process and are offered by invitation only. If you are invited to an interview, the interview must be completed for your application to move forward in the review process.
Candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted to schedule an interview date and time. All admissions interviews will be conducted virtually and typically last between 30 and 45 minutes.
A non-refundable fee of $100 USD is required. Applicants will be prompted to pay the fee or submit a waiver code once they submit the first portion of the application.
Application fee waivers are offered to a variety of applicants, including but not limited to:
- American University alumni
- American University employees
- Active-duty members or veterans of the US military
- Active or returned Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America volunteers
- City Year Corps members, staff, and alumni
- Dual-degree applicants who have already paid an application fee to the School of International Service (SIS) or the Washington College of Law (WCL)
- Fellowship awardees
A complete list of waivers is available in the application.
If you are admitted to the Full-Time MBA, a non-refundable enrollment deposit of $1,000 USD is required to confirm your place in the class. Enrollment deposits are due by the response date in your admit letter.
The $1,000 USD enrollment deposit is applied to your tuition bill for the first term upon matriculation into the program.
Enrollment deposits are waived for active-duty US military members and veterans, American University employees, or eligible dependents utilizing tuition remission. If you qualify for a waiver, please contact KogodGrad@american.edu after you have accepted admission and request that we process the waiver.
Unless you qualify for a waiver as described above, you must submit an enrollment deposit.