Graduate Applicant on Computer

Graduate Admissions Requirements

What You Need to Know and Do

In order to be considered for admission, Individuals applying to the Gabelli School of Business graduate degree programs must meet certain general criteria, as well as specific criteria for the degree to which they are applying. This is to ensure that state and federal regulations are being satisfied, and that they are able to demonstrate the academic and professional competencies needed to succeed in their chosen area of study. Submitting a complete application with all required materials, including an official transcript, will expedite the admissions review process.

Admissions Checklist

Admissions Requirement Checklist

All M.B.A. and Specialized Master’s Degrees require the following items to be submitted. Be sure ALL of your materials are complete and submitted so that we can review and provide a timely decision. International students should refer to the section title “Additional Admissions Requirements for International Students” to ensure requirements are complete.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $130.00 (unless it has been waived – learn more here
  • Official College/University Academic Transcripts (you can start your application with an unofficial or in-progress transcript, but will not be admitted without an official transcript)
  • Current Résumé
  • Letter of Recommendation for M.B.A. Programs (REQUIRED) – M.B.A. applicants are required to submit (1) professional letter of recommendation.
  • Letter of Recommendation for Specialized Master’s Programs (OPTIONAL) – You can submit an academic or professional letter of recommendation if you are applying to a Specialized Master’s Degree, but it is optional.
  • Standardized test scores (OPTIONAL) – GRE and/or GMAT scores are not required, but candidates can submit them or other supporting evidence to enhance their application – see details below.
  • Essay – One essay is required, a second is optional – see details below
  • Student Visa – International applicants who are not currently in the U.S. and will need a student visa, must apply no later than our Round 2 deadline date
  • English Language Proficiency Test Scores – International applicants 

Have Questions? We’re here to help!

Sign up for an Admission Counseling Session with a member of the Admissions Team, email [email protected] or call 1+ 212-636-6200.

Admission Requirement Details for All Students

(please scroll for additional requirements for international students)

  • Applicants applying to any of the Gabelli School of Business graduate programs are required to hold a four-year bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or an equivalent degree from a foreign country (in some cases, this is a three-year degree). If you are submitting your application during your last year (senior year) of your undergraduate studies, we will accept and evaluate your application with a copy of your in-progress transcript (all completed terms at the time must be included).

    At the time you apply, we require you to upload unofficial transcripts from the institutions where you earned your bachelor’s or master’s degree including any institutions where transfer credits counted toward either an undergraduate- or graduate-level degree. If an offer of admission is made, you must submit an official transcript with final grades and the title of the degree conferred from your undergraduate university/college prior to the first day of class.

    INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, PLEASE SEE THE SECTION BELOW MARKED ADDITIONAL ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

  • While some prospective students worry about writing an admissions essay, you should
    think of it as an opportunity to express yourself in areas that may not have been reflected in other portions of your application.


    All Applicants Must Answer Essay Question 1

    Essay Question 1: Why do you want to join the Gabelli School of Business community?

    Please address the following topics:

    • How will your selected graduate program positively support your plans to advance your career and/or academic development?
    • What practical skills or knowledge do you hope to gain from this graduate program?
    • Why are you choosing to pursue your graduate degree now?
    • How will you contribute to the Gabelli community in and out of the classroom?

    (500 words)

     

    Essay Question 2: For M.B.A. Applicants ONLY Under the Following Circumstances

    If you have not completed coursework in core business and quantitative subjects (e.g. accounting, finance, economics, statistics), or if you have no/low standardized test scores, please tell us how you have prepared or plan to prepare for the quantitative rigor of the M.B.A. curriculum. (350 words)

     

    Essay Question 3:  For M.S. Applicants ONLY Under the Following Circumstances

    (For applicants selecting MSBA, M.S.F., and MSQF in first and alternative choices)

    Due to the quantitative nature of the program(s) you have selected, can you identify academic courses, professional certifications, or any other additional steps you have taken to demonstrate your ability to be successful in a quantitative academic environment? (350 words)

     

    Optional Essay: Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in your application, e.g. explanation of employment gaps, academic aberrations, quantitative abilities, etc. (150 words)

  • Admissions interviews are an important component of our comprehensive and holistic evaluation process. Applicants will be considered by our admissions committee for an interview after they have submitted an application. Interviews are a required part of the application process, and if invited by the Graduate Admissions Office, applicants are strongly encouraged to sign up for an interview as soon as you receive the initial invitation. The admissions committee may also render a decision without an interview if it feels that it has sufficient information to do so.

    Here are a few notes about the admissions interview:

    • Interviews are conducted by members of the admissions staff, faculty members, current students, and/or alumni.
    • Applicants should prepare for a 25- to 30-minute interview.
    • Interviews are offered on select days throughout the week on a space-available basis.
    • Interviews should be scheduled at least 10 days prior to the date you would like to interview.

Additional Admission Requirement Details for International Students

  • Academic Credentials Verification: Applicants whose undergraduate or graduate degree was earned at a non-United States university are also required to submit an official transcript evaluation of their undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Exceptions are made for institutions in Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as for certain partner schools. Please contact the admissions office for more information. 

    We will accept evaluations from World Education Services (WES), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), or any NACES organization member.

    If you are offered admission and your college or university releases transcripts through a secure electronic site such as National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment, you can order an official copy of your transcript to be emailed directly to [email protected].

    If electronic delivery is not available, please request that your official transcripts be submitted directly via post, in a sealed envelope, to:

    Fordham University
    Gabelli School of Business
    Graduate Admissions Office
    Martino Hall
    45 Columbus Avenue, 4th floor
    New York, NY 10023

  • International applicants will need to provide an English-language test score from TOEFLIELTSDuolingo English Test (DET), or PTE Academic if English is not their native language, unless: (1) you’ve earned an undergraduate or graduate degree at a U.S. college or university, (2) your education was completed exclusively in English in an English-speaking country; view the list of countries accepted.

    The Gabelli School of Business considers English language proficiency test scores to be valid for up to two years from the term of entrance and must be valid at the time you submit your application. 

    Recommended scores:

    • TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT):  100
    • IELTS:  7
    • PTE:  68
    • DET:  120

    We reserve the right to evaluate an applicant’s English through an admission interview and an ESL test prior to the start of classes. Based upon the results from either or both, additional English language courses may be required as part of the student’s course of study at the Gabelli School.

A Successful Admissions Story and So Much More!

Qing Chen, GABELLI’19

Data Engineer - Energy Service Engineering, Tesla

Qing Chen

When Qing Chen contemplated moving to the U.S. from China to earn a degree in business analytics, she recognized, in addition to excelling academically, she would need to build the communication and networking skills to ensure hersuccess. Little did she know, the Gabelli School Admissions team would play an instrumental role in making this possible.

As part of her application process, Chen was interviewed in Shanghai by members of the admissions team, who made her feel comfortable and kept in touch with her even after she accepted their offer to enroll in the M.S. in Business Analytics. Encouraging her to apply for a graduate assistantship within the Admissions Office, they opened the doors for her to network, enhance her communication skills, and build relationships with students who had professional experience in her field of study.

 “The Admissions team members were great! They not only provided guidance during the admissions process, but also persuaded me to become a GA, which broadened my horizons, helped me to meet other students, and shaped my career path.”