• Will MBA at Houston students be able to transfer to other UT MBA programs?
  Transferring between programs is very rare and must be approved by the directors of both programs and is not encouraged. Prospective MBA at Houston students should only apply if they expect to complete the MBA at Houston program.
• Will Texas MBA at Houston use a cohort system like the Full-Time and Texas Executive MBA programs?
  Yes, students will take all 17 of their MBA courses in a cohort format with the same group of classmates. At the beginning of the program students are assigned a cohort to take their first year courses with and a cohort they will take their second year courses with.
• Is this the same degree as the Full-Time MBA?
  The University of Texas at Austin awards only one MBA degree. All MBA candidates earn the same MBA degree, regardless of the program they are registered in.
• Where are the Austin Intensive Seminar weeks held?
  Each August, students will spend a week in Austin prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Students will be in-residence during the entire week and should not plan for any work activity during this time. Accommodations are provided and are part of the program costs. Students will reside in the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center on the UT Austin campus.
• What will the Austin Intensive Seminars encompass?
  Students will begin taking their courses during the Austin Intensive Seminar which will continue throughout the Fall semester. During the seminar this fall, first year students will be exposed to concepts in management/organizational behavior, economics and accounting.
• How many classes will I take each semester?
  Students take three classes each Fall and Spring Semester and two classes during the Summer Semester.
• How much time should I expect to spend outside class?
  The typical MBA at Houston student should expect to spend 15-25 hours preparing for class.
• What happens if I fail a course?
  The course would be retaken the next time it is offered. This may delay graduation unless other provisions can be made for making up the missed class.
• Where is the international trip location?
  The international trip and seminar is a required course as part of the MBA Program and will be offered in the spring of the first year. It will occur over one week and be preceded by some regular class sessions during the spring term. The accommodation costs and group meals are part of the program costs and students will only be responsible for the airfare cost to and from the destination. There will be at least two destinations and we expect the location to be based upon student input. In years past, our MBA students have traveled to Asia, Europe, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
  
  

Admissions/Application

• What are the admission standards for the MBA at Houston program?
  Prospective candidates are required to have post-undergraduate work experience since earning their undergraduate degree. Admission is competitive and based on a candidate's academic record, GMAT or GRE score, work experience, essays, and interviews. The typical entering student in the Graduate School of Business has an upper-division undergraduate GPA between 3.0 and 4.0 and scores between a 600 - 800 on the GMAT. The GMAT/GRE test score should be dated within the past five years.
  Because The University of Texas at Austin MBA is the same degree across our options, we have comparable admissions standards as in our full-time program. Strategically, we have one MBA and the degree is the same regardless of whether you graduate from our full-time option or Houston option.
• Can I waive the TOEFL?

  Request a Waiver: TOEFL Scores can be waived based on your work experience while in the US as well as your English-speaking skills as assessed in an in-person interview. If you are invited in for an interview, the Texas MBA Admissions Committee will let you know afterwards if we will require the TOEFL from you.
  
  The TOEFL is not required for U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents and in the following circumstances for non-U.S. residents:
  
  Automatic Waivers are granted ONLY if you meet one of the following requirements:
  
  1. Applicant’s native language is English. English must be the only official language of the country of which the applicant is a citizen according to the CIA World Factbook.
  2. Applicant has a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in a country where English is the only official language, according to the CIA World Factbook, as well as the language of instruction.
  
  Applicants from the following countries do not need to submit a TOEFL score:
  American Samoa
  Australia
  Bahamas
  Barbados
  Belize
  Canada (except Quebec)
  Grenada
  Grand Cayman
  Guyana
  Ireland
  Jamaica
  Liberia
  New Zealand
  Sierra Leone
  Trinidad/Tobago
  United Kingdom
  U.S. Pacific Trust
  
  

• What will the class size be?
  We expect the entering class size in Houston to be two cohorts each of approximately 50 students.
• How will I register for class?
  The MBA at Houston administrative staff will register all students. We intend to provide you with a high level of service to minimize your administrative preparation so that you can focus on your coursework. We will register you and provide you with the required books and materials that you need in each course.
• May I place out of classes?
  No. The Graduate School of Business does not allow course waivers. This is because the program is a cohort-based program where students enter the program together, share experiences and benefit from perspectives across the class.
• May I transfer graduate business courses from other universities?
  No. The Graduate School of Business does not transfer credits from other universities. Our cohort program is scheduled to allow you to complete your MBA in 22 months while working full-time.
• What is the deadline for application?
  May 25, 2012 is the application deadline for the class entering in the Fall 2012. We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.
• What is the early application date?
  We will begin accepting applications in late September 2011. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The earliest application deadline is November 18, 2011.
• Where can I find more information on how to apply to Texas MBA at Houston?
  After reviewing this website, email us at texasmbahouston@mccombs.utexas.edu. We can also be reached by phone at (512) 471-7698 or toll-free at (866) 881-6224.
• Does this program require corporate sponsorship?
  Since classes are held outside of normal working hours, MBA at Houston does not require formal corporate sponsorship. However, it is important for the student to ensure that his/her employer (especially direct supervisors) supports participation in the program. Work and travel schedules should be arranged so that you can attend class. You may need to obtain your employer's approval to attend the Austin intensive seminars, and/or plan on scheduling vacation time.
• Do you conduct interviews?
  Those candidates who appear to be most competitive will be invited to interview with the Director of the MBA at Houston program or a designated representative. We view the interview as an opportunity for you to explain your interest in the program and background and experiences.
• Do you require work experience?
  Yes. We highly value work experience and believe it is essential to fully contribute and benefit for the University of Texas at Austin MBA Program.
• If I have been admitted, may I defer admittance?
  Under unusual circumstances, if a student has been admitted to MBA at Houston, he or she may request a deferred admission to the following year's class.
• May I apply to other Texas MBA programs at the same time?
  Yes, you may apply to our other UT MBA programs. Because these programs are independently administered, you must send complete applications to each. If you choose to apply to more than one UT MBA program, you will be asked to write an additional essay describing how each program can meet your graduate business education needs.
• How well is The University of Texas at Austin MBA Program recognized in the business school marketplace?
  The value of an MBA in the marketplace today is based upon the school's ability to recruit the best students, provide them with career opportunities and support their success both in the classroom and professionally as graduates. The University of Texas at Austin MBA Program has been consistently recognized as one of the preeminent programs in the nation with a business school tradition since 1922, a university tradition since 1883 and over 84,000 business school graduates, one of the largest in the world.
  With over 900 business schools today, achieving recognition in the top 2% demonstrates the university's commitment to academic excellence, quality of faculty, selectivity of students, value employers place on the program, and extensive alumni network of The University of Texas at Austin and its McCombs School of Business.

Fees/Financial Aid

• Is there a payment plan?
  An invoice will be sent directly to the student one month prior to each semester. Payment is due in full prior to the start of each semester. Regardless of whether a student is seeking financial aid or receiving a full or partial reimbursement from an employer, he/she is still responsible for payment in full prior to the start of each semester. The University of Texas will reimburse the student if additional payment is made after the semester payment deadline by another party.
• Are there scholarships available or other financial aid?
  There are no MBA at Houston-specific scholarships at this time. Information on financial aid for graduate students can be found at www.utexas.edu/student/finaid. You can also visit www.mba.com for more information.
  
  How to Apply for Financial Aid
  To apply for financial aid, complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is a national form available on the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will need to list UT Austin on the FAFSA along with the school title IV code, which is 003658. The priority application date is March 31st, although there are no actual deadlines. Only domestic and permanent residents are eligible for financial aid through the FAFSA form. To check the status of the processing of your FAFSA at the Federal Student Aid processing center, call 1-800-4FED AID and select option #1.
  Please contact the McCombs School of Business Financial Aid Rep for help with your financial aid questions by calling (512) 471-7698.
• Is Texas residency an issue?
  No, tuition and fees for this program are the same for residents and non-residents alike, so residency is not an issue.