Our 3 step admissions process is simple and helps us get to know you and why you’re pursuing your MBA. From your experience and GPA to your recommendations, personal statement and interview the admissions committee considers your entire application. Our start dates are flexible and you can choose the date that suits you best, May, June, or August.
The 3-Step Admissions Process
Online Application
Complete your online application and submit all supporting materials. For more information about deadlines, dates and supporting materials, see the tables below. Select each tab in the application requirement section for more details.
Supporting Materials
Graduate College Online Application
Official Transcripts
Resume
Personal Statement
Two Letters of Recommendation
Interview
Once your file is complete, the Admissions Manager will invite you to a 30-minute interview (20 mins Q&A, 10 mins for your questions). You can choose in-person (Micron Business & Economics Building, Room 4103) or online via Zoom.
Admissions Decision
You will receive your official admissions decision via email on the specific day listed for your round in the table below.
Application Deadline and Dates
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Early applications will have priority options for interview slots.
Round
Completed Application Deadline
Interviews
Admissions Decision
Start Date Eligibility
Round 1
December 1
December 15-16
December 18
May, June or August
Round 2
January 20*
January 26 – 28
February 5
May, June or August
Round 3
March 1**
March 9 – 10
March 19
May, June or August
Round 4
April 5
April 13 – 14
April 23
June or August
*Round 2 Note: Firm deadline for Boise State employees using tuition waivers (spots are limited/capped).
**Round 3 Note: Firm deadline for concurrent U of I JD/MBA applicants.
***Cohorts are strictly capped at 30–35 students. If the program fills up before April 5th, subsequent applicants go to a waitlist. Early applicants get priority interview slots.
You will provide basic information via this application. Additionally, you are able to upload required documents directly into the online portal.
To apply, there is a non-refundable application fee: $65 for domestic students and $95 for international students. The application fee is waived for Boise State University employees only (not spouses/partners).
Transcripts
Boise State requires transcripts from every higher educational institution you have previously attended.
Transcripts can be sent in a variety of ways and formats – they all must be sent to the Boise State Graduate College:
By Mail:
Boise State University
Graduate College
Riverfront Hall, Room 307
1910 University Dr.
Boise, ID 83725-1110
Electronic: your school may send directly to gradcoll@boisestate.edu
Questions about the status of your transcript(s)? Please contact the Boise State Graduate College at (208) 426-4723 or graduatecollege@boisestate.edu
***If there are remaining spots after April 24, admissions will be ongoing. If you’re interested in applying, please let us know. We are happy to assist you further – contact us here.
Resume
Please provide a current detailed resume highlighting your professional work experience.
Professional MBA students are required to have a minimum two years of professional management experience by the time of the first class date. Professional management experience includes full-time (non-internship) roles where you have managed people, budgets or customer accounts. We are looking for situations where you have had strategic decision making responsibilities. Commonly, students have direct responsibility for hiring/firing, significant project management, contract negotiations and other roles beyond basic supervision.
Tips for your resume
Do not be concerned with brevity.
Include start and end dates (month and year) for each position held.
Full-time experience is assumed – please indicate “part-time” if you were not in a 40+ hour / week role.
Personal Statement
Personal Statement (500-750 words) covering your career goals and objectives, which addresses all three of the following prompts:
Describe how your background and values have influenced your professional relationships and leadership style.
If admitted, how will you apply your MBA education to your current position? What strengths will you build upon, and what skills or qualities will you seek to improve?
Where do you think an MBA from Boise State will take your career?
Optional
This is an opportunity to provide additional information to the Admissions Committee and to explain anything that may not be covered in your Personal Statement—e.g., shortcomings in academic performance, time off from school or work, educational program transfers/discontinuation, or any other inconsistencies in the application.
Required for re-applicants (previously denied) only
Since your previous application, what are the steps you’ve taken to strengthen your candidacy?
The Admissions Committee is looking for essays that are well-thought out, thorough, and show that an effort was made to answer each question. Good grammar, punctuation and clear sentence structure is expected and will be taken into consideration. The committee expects a personal statement that is clear and concise, yet long enough to adequately answer each question fully.
Recommendations
Two recommendations are required from professional contacts.
A recommendation from your current supervisor is preferred but not required. Please select recommenders who can provide details about your professional work and ability to be successful in an MBA program.
Recommendations from academic contacts (professors) may be accepted but are not preferred. At least one should be from someone you have worked with professionally.
There are two ways to request recommendations:
You may designate recommenders in the online application system by entering names and emails. If email addresses are provided, recommenders are automatically sent links to online forms to complete.
You may also choose to email your recommenders yourself and request the completion of our PMBA Recommendation form. Your recommender should email the completed PDF to graduatebusiness@boisestate.edu.
Interview
Interviews are required as part of the application process. Well qualified candidates are contacted by email to schedule an interview after an application is complete.
Interviews with one or more members of the admissions committee take place on campus or via Zoom teleconference.
The interview is an important component of the application process. With a competitive candidate pool, the interview provides the opportunity for the admission committee to learn more about a candidate’s experience, goals, collaboration skills, leadership skills and aptitude for success.
Additional Information You Need to Know
Admissions Notes
The choice of start date (May, June or August) does not impact admission decisions. All students are part of the same cohort.
The admission process for the PMBA program is competitive. Applications are considered holistically – considering professional experience, recommendations, undergraduate/graduate coursework and GPA, the personal statement (writing, goals), and an interview (if offered). If you have questions about your eligibility and competitiveness for the program, we encourage you to reach out for a preliminary resume review.
The PMBA program does qualify for the Boise State tuition waiver for Boise State employees and spouses. However, we cap the number of Boise State employees admitted to maintain diversity in the cohort. All Boise State employees must apply by January 15 (Admissions Round 2) to be considered for limited spots.
Interview Notes
The PMBA Admissions Manager will reach out to schedule an interview once all application materials are complete.
If you are not available during the above interview dates, please reach out to the program staff ASAP to let them know.
Interview dates correspond with the admission Round you are applying for. For example, if you’re applying for Round 1 and submit an application on or before December 1, we will send available interview slots during December.
We will work around schedules if applicants are unavailable during their designated interview dates.
Interviews are 30-minutes long with 20-25 minutes of Q&A, along with 5-10 minutes for your questions at the end.
Applicants have the option to schedule interviews in-person or online via a Zoom meeting. In-person interviews will be held in the PMBA Director’s office (unless otherwise specified) which is located in the Micron Business and Economics Building (MBEB) – Room 4103 (Fourth Floor, Graduate Programs Suite).
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