MBA Application Deadlines & Requirements

Select the year in which you plan on entering the program. International students based abroad are only eligible to apply for the fall, full-time program option.  

Ensure your resume clearly lists the dates of any professional (ex: full-time role, internships, co-ops), volunteer, non-profit or any other leadership experiences. There is no formatting requirement, however, please review your resume for any grammar mistakes. It should be no longer than two pages. We recommend two years of work experience by the time you enter the MBA program. This may include co-op or internship experience.

An unofficial transcript (or degree audit) is required from each institution attended, including in-progress coursework, even if from the University of Cincinnati. These documents must show a complete record of your courses and grades. Uploading an unofficial transcript is recommended, but an official transcript may also be sent. Your application will not be reviewed until all transcripts are received.

International Applicants: You must have a U.S. bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or an international equivalent before starting the program. While NACES course-by-course evaluations are not required, one may be requested in certain cases. Your unofficial transcripts must be translated into English. If your grading scale isn't on a four-point scale, you will be asked to translate in the application process. For international three-year bachelor’s degrees, use the free WES degree equivalency tool to confirm U.S. equivalency. 

At the University of Cincinnati Lindner College of Business, we value thought-driven leaders. With this in mind, please upload a personal statement expressing the following: 

• How will the pursuit of a Lindner MBA overcome a weakness and/or amplify a strength you have to become an effective leader? 
• How do you see the Lindner MBA degree, once obtained, changing or shaping your short-term and long-term career goals?

Formatting: We recommend that your essay be 250-500 words, double-spaced. 

Please select one recommender who was, or currently is, a supervisor that can speak to your professional experience. Letters of recommendations must come directly from the listed recommender on your application.

IMPORTANT: Your application will not move forward in the review process until we receive the letter of recommendation.

Test scores provide a measure of your capabilities for the admissions committee to consider in reviewing your application holistically. The admissions committee accepts the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores. The GMAT and GRE are currently optional, however, we will consider the scores in the application process, if submitted.

Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Please send all test scores to the following address:

Graduate Admissions

University of Cincinnati

PO Box 210091

Cincinnati, OH 45221-0091

• U.S. Residents: $65
• International: $70

If your native language is not English, you must demonstrate your proficiency in English. This includes submitting an IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo test score.

Please reference the Graduate College website for information on the minimum score needed to be eligible for the program.