Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Graduate Questions

Admissions Requirements

Question:  What documents are required to complete the admission process?

Answer:

  • Completed application with a $50 application fee
  • All college/university transcripts
  • Official GMAT scores (GRE acceptable for some programs)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Three essays as outlined in the application
  • Résumé
  • An evaluative interview (required for the Full-Time MBA/MS+MBA applicants
  • International applicants — TOEFL, IBT or IELTS score

International Students must also submit the following after acceptance into a Graduate program:

  • International student data form
  • Bank statement: The bank statement is a separate letter, which comes from the sponsor’s personal bank. It explains the amount of funds available in the sponsor’s bank account. The letter must be clearly state that the sponsor’s bank account has the required balance in U.S. currency.
  • Support letter:  A Letter of Support is required for all international applicants. The letter should clearly explain whether the student is supporting him or herself or depending on someone else. The letter also needs to include the student’s full name and the name of the person who will be supporting the student during his or her graduate school career. 

Question: How are parts of the application weighed?

Answer: In considering a candidate for admission, the McCallum Graduate School of Business seeks to achieve a balance between their previous academic record, performance on standardized tests (GMAT) and work experience. In addition, admission officers pride themselves on personalizing the admission process and also look at the “whole person” when making admission decisions. Evaluated interviews are optional for all programs except the Full-Time MBA or MS+MBA program, which both require an interview. Applicants may also write an optional essay to explain why parts of their application are weak in certain aspects for various reasons. 

Question: Is it OK to submit parts of the application at different times?

Answer: Yes. You may submit part or all of your application material at any time.  Priority will be given to applications that are complete on or before our published application completion deadlines. To make the application process easier, we do not require that you submit all your materials at once as a completed application.  However, you are responsible for ensuring that the Graduate Admission Office receives all necessary documents. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  

Question: Is work experience required to apply to the McCallum graduate programs?

Answer: Work experience is considered as part of the overall application review process. While strongly preferred. It is not always required. As part of your application packet, we ask that you include a current resume to clearly outline your work history. 

Question: Is an interview required?

Answer: Admission interviews are required for all qualified applicants to the Full-Time MBA program and the MS+MBA program; applicants to other programs may be asked to interview if the Admission required more information. 

To arrange for an interview, call the McCallum Graduate School Admission Office at 781.891.2108. Full-Time MBA/MS+MBA applicants who are unable to travel to the Bentley campus should make other arrangements; please contact the Graduate Admission Office as soon as possible.

Question: Are TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores required for for all International applicants? 

Answer: This test is required of all applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an institution in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand or Uganda. The McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley requires a minimum TOEFL score of 600 for written exams, 250 for the computerized tests and 100 for the IBT. McCallum also will accept IELTS scores. For more information on applying for the TOEFL, see the TOEFL web site: www.toefl.org

You may also consult the nearest United States Embassy, Consulate, or USIS Information Center.

Question: Does the McCallum Graduate School of Business at Bentley accept the Indian BCom?

Answer: Our requirement is that students have at minimum a four-year degree (equivalent to the U.S. bachelor’s degree). In India, this is likely to be course work completed through the first year of a master’s degree program.                    

Question: Can I take classes even though I am not a current graduate student at the McCallum Graduate School of Business?

Answer: No. Only enrolled students are authorized to take courses at the McCallum Graduate School. Students currently enrolled at another institution may submit a Special Student Application, which will allow them to take up to two classes at the graduate level. Courses taken as a special student may not be used to complete a degree at a later time. 

Question: Does the McCallum Graduate School of Business have a rolling admission cycle?

Answer: Applicants seeking Full Time admission for the Fall Term are reviewed on a Round system.  Round 1 deadline is December 1st, Round 2 is January 20th, Round 3 is March 15th. After that applicants are reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis.  Part Time and applicants for Spring admission are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Question: What are the application requirements for a certificate program?

Answer: 

  • Completed application with $50 application fee
  • All official college/university transcripts
  • Official GMAT scores (GRE acceptable for some programs)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Three essays as outlined in the application
  • Résumé
  • An evaluative interview (required for the Full-Time MBA/MS+MBA applicants)
  • International applicants — TOEFL, IBT or IELTS score

Admissions — GMAT

Question: Can I apply before taking the GMAT?

Answer: Yes. The McCallum Graduate School will accept completed sections of the application individually. However, a decision will not be made until all application materials including the official GMAT scores have been reviewed.

Question: Is there an expiration date on GMAT scores?

Answer: Yes. GMAT scores older than five years are considered out of date and should be replaced with a more recent test score.

Question: Are unofficial GMAT score acceptable?

Answer: No. Official GMAT scores are required for an application to be considered complete. Unofficial scores can only be used as a preliminary measure to evaluate your application. 

Question: How long will the McCallum Graduate School hold my GMAT scores?

Answer: GMAT scores, including application materials, will be held for one year.

Question: What are the average GPA and GMAT scores at McCallum?

Answer: The average GPA and GMAT scores for the fall 2008 incoming Full-Time MBA class were 3.43 and 610, respectively. As each applicant’s file is reviewed in its entirety, there are no set minimums or maximum GPA or GMAT scores required.

Question: Is the GMAT required for all programs?

Answer: Most programs require applicants to submit their Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores to the McCallum Graduate School. MSF, MSIT and MSHFID applicants may instead submit GRE results.

For the MSA, MSFP and MST programs, other appropriate test-based or advanced academic achievements (e.g. passing the CPA or bar exam, earning a master’s degree or PhD) may be considered a substitute for the GMAT on a case by case evaluation. 

The GMAT is required for all MBA applicants.  Information about the GMAT is available online at www.mba.com. The McCallum Graduate School of Business code number is R3096.

Admission- Financial Support

Question: Are there student loan programs available for graduate students?

Answer: Yes. The McCallum Graduate School of Business participates in all federal loan programs including the Stafford Loan program. There are also many alternative student loan programs available including the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA), CitiBank CitiAssist Loan, Nellie Mae's GraExcel loan, MBA Loans and the Business Access loan. For more information or an application for any of these loan programs, please contact the Office of Graduate Financial Assistance at 781.891.3168.

Question: Does the McCallum Graduate School offer on-campus employment for graduate students?

Answer: Yes. The McCallum Graduate School does offer college-funded institutional employment. Students may work up to 20 hours per week. The Student Employment Office hosts a job fair at the start of each semester and summer session to display all available positions, and maintains job listings throughout the year. Wage rates are competitive. Many area businesses also post job openings in the Student Employment Office and the Center for Career Services.

Question: What is the application  process for Department Assistantships (DAs)?

Answer: Department Assistantships are available in both academic and administrative departments across campus. These positions usually involve an opportunity to work for hourly, taxable wages and receive tuition remission for two courses per semester. Enrolled students must apply individually to each department for these positions and go through a traditional job interview process.

Question: What types of Merit Aid is available to students?

Answer: Bentley awards two types of Merit-Based Aid to highly qualified full-time and part-time graduate students. Awards are based primarily on academic, professional and personal merit, with consideration given to the contribution that each individual can make to the graduate school — without regard to financial need.

Academic Scholarships are given to full- or part-time students who have demonstrated academic success and potential for significant contribution to the classroom learning experience. Awards can vary in amount and duration and are posted to a student’s account as tuition remission. Academic scholarships do not require a work commitment from the student.

Assistantships are also awarded based on achievement and merit; however, they are assigned only to full-time students. Assistants work on academic or administrative projects for an average of 12 hours per week throughout the calendar year in exchange for tuition remission. Students who are awarded graduate assistantships are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average to remain in good standing.

Question: Can full-time and part-time students receive scholarships?

Answer: The McCallum Graduate School of Business does offer scholarships to both full-time and part-time students. Selection is based on academic achievement and contribution to the entering class and takes place during the admission process. The majority of these awards are made for the fall semester and priority is given to full-time students. Students are required to maintain a specified level of enrollment and a 3.0 GPA in order to retain eligibility for the scholarship.