The University of Texas at Austin requires graduate school applicants to have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. or a comparable degree from a foreign institution. 

To prepare to apply for your MBA:

• Start your MBA Application
• Obtain copies of your official transcripts, have official test scores sent to UT Austin, or submit a test waiver petition.
• Get to know MBA program details and culture by meeting staff, students, and alumni at an MBA event.
• Review the Texas McCombs MBA Insider for tips on the application process.
• Connect with our current students to gain additional insight from someone who has successfully gone through the process.
• Send us an email with your application questions.

You will receive more details on the applicant portal once you start your application.

Complete your Texas McCombs MBA application by the submission deadline for the round in which you are applying. This includes all relevant application components - essay, transcripts, self-reported test scores, letter of recommendation, resume, etc.

Pay the application fee. Your application fee invoice will be available 1-2 business days after application submission. Complete your video assessment within 7 days of invitation.  All applicants are required to complete the video assessment.

Complete your file with UT's Office of Graduate Admissions. The Office of Graduate Admissions is responsible for verifying the validity of your test scores, transcripts, and degrees. 1-2 business days after application submission, upload copies of official transcripts and confirm receipt of official test scores.

Meet with a McCombs Ambassador Committee member for an optional Peer Interview. This 30-minute session is optional but highly encouraged.  

Once you've submitted your application, you can monitor your application status via the Applicant Community page. While we review your application, we encourage you to check your email inbox for application updates.

Did you receive a promotion, or did you re-take the GMAT, GRE, or EA exam since you submitted your application? If you have a substantial update to your application, please contact us. There is no guarantee that your update(s) will be considered for evaluation of your candidacy. 

All applicants are reviewed in rounds. The Admissions Committee will make a decision by the date published during the round in which you submit your application.

Once a decision has been released on your application, you will receive an automated email to view your admissions decision. All admissions decisions are final for the application cycle.

To safeguard the integrity of the admission process, Texas McCombs partners with Re Vera Services to conduct an employment and recommendation verification. If it is determined that there has been any misrepresentation in an applicant’s MBA application, McCombs reserves the right to rescind the offer of admission. There will be a required fee paid directly to Re Vera Services at a base price of $120 USD. The verification process must be completed by the deadline specified by the MBA program office.

All Full-Time MBA applicants are required to submit a GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, or EA score. We will waive the testing requirement if:

• An expired (taken 5+ years ago) GMAT, GRE, or EA score is submitted or
• General Test Waiver (merit-based) is approved

The MBA Admissions Committee does not have a preference on which test you take, and there is no minimum score. You can review our Full-Time MBA class profile for test score averages. Learn more about the different test options. More details on how to submit test scores can be found below.

Current Test Scores (taken within 5 years):

For current scores (taken within 5 years), you must self-report your test scores in your application as well as have official score reports sent directly to UT Austin by the testing agency. The date that your official scores are sent to UT Austin by the testing agency should be no later than the application round deadline, as it can take up to four weeks for new scores to be processed. 

School codes for Texas McCombs: 

• GMAT and Executive Assessment (EA): 396-44-45 
• GRE: 6882 
  
  

Expired Test Scores (taken 5+ years ago)

For expired test scores (taken 5+ years ago) you must self-report your score and upload proof of the test score in the application. Examples of proof for expired test scores include a score report you previously received from the testing agency OR documentation from another educational institution that previously received the score (e.g. for another graduate/terminal degree application).

Learn more about the different test options.

General Test Waiver (merit-based)

A merit-based test waiver is available by request prior to submitting your application. Waivers/Exceptions are not available for applicants who have already sent scores to UT.

More information on criteria, instructions on how to submit, and other details can be found on our merit-based test waiver pdf.

All international applicants are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS prior to the submission deadline for the round in which they are applying. TOEFL and IELTS test scores expire two years from the test date. We do not consider "Super Scores," i.e. TOEFL "MyBest Scores". 

School codes:

• TOEFL: 6882
• IELTS: Submitted electronically through IELTS score delivery service (send to "The University of Texas at Austin" account) or mailed to one of the addresses below.
  
  

The University of Texas at Austin
Office of Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 7608
Austin, TX 78713-7608

Or, if the courier service does not deliver to P.O. Boxes:

Graduate and International Admissions Center
UT Administration Building
1616 Guadalupe St., Suite 4.202
Austin, TX 78701

TOEFL or IELTS Waivers

A waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS is automatically granted if you are an international applicant and have earned an undergraduate degree in a country where the only official language is English. Please visit UT's International Student page for more information and a list of qualifying countries.

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria may also be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver:

• You have lived and worked full-time in the U.S. or in a country where English is the only official language for at least two of the past four years (refer to the country list linked above).
• You hold a master's degree from a college or university located in the U.S. or from a country where English is the only official language (refer to the country list above).
• You were educated solely in English for your undergraduate and/or prior graduate degree in a country where English is not the only official language. 

If you do not meet any of these conditions, you are required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS exam without exception. Waivers are processed 7-10 business days after application submission.

Evaluating your academic history is a two-step process.

1. Transcript Evaluation - Evaluation is completed by the admissions committee to ensure you can manage the academic rigor of the program. You will be asked to upload copies of your official transcripts/mark sheets to Texas McCombs prior to application fee payment.
2. Transcript Validation - This step is completed by the UT Office of Graduate Admissions. During the validation process, your degree is verified and your GPA is calculated using upper-division courses and Master's/Ph.D. You will be asked to upload copies of your official transcripts/mark sheets to the Office of Graduate Admissions after the application fee payment. 

Domestic transcripts must have been produced by the issuing institution within the past calendar year. If documents are written in a language other than English, complete and official English translations must be uploaded together with the original language transcripts/mark sheets. It is critical that you block out social security numbers on all documents before uploading. 

Please read these instructions prior to uploading your transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 

Tip: Don't want to wait for a copy of your transcripts to reach you in the mail? Ask your registrar if they are able to email you directly with a pdf copy of your official transcripts. 

Within your application, you will provide your professional resume. We strongly suggest that all applicants have at least two years of full-time post-bachelor's work experience (not internships). Full-time work experience is calculated up until the time of enrollment (the start of classes). This encompasses all work completed since your bachelor's degree, including teaching, military service, and government experience (e.g. the Peace Corps).

Other types of experience can be explained fully in the application essay or optional statement.

We recommend keeping your resume to one page unless you have more than 10 years of work experience.  

Learn more about highlighting your work experience.

The essay prompts serve as a powerful storytelling tool, allowing you to share narratives and insights that may not be captured elsewhere in your application. The essay section has been refreshed for the 2024-2025 cycle, now featuring three prompts with a 250-word limit for each response. These are purposefully designed to elicit thoughtful and introspective responses that reveal your motivations, values, and aspirations.

Please complete the required essay prompts below and upload them to your application prior to submission.

Essay 1 - 250 Words
At Texas McCombs, we do things a little differently. We embrace those who take the initiative and forge new paths. What ambitious goal or change do you aim to achieve with an MBA, and why is Texas McCombs your ideal launch pad?   

Essay 2 - 250 Words
Here, you are what's next. At this pivotal crossroads where you’re deciding your future path, the Texas McCombs MBA experience will equip you with the tools and mindset to make “what’s next” happen in your career. Please share unique qualities you possess that highlight your potential to shake up the status quo in your professional life. 

Essay 3 - 250 Words
The University of Texas at Austin's motto, "What starts here changes the world," embodies a spirit of impact and transformation. What fuels your drive to lead change and make your mark in the world?

Optional Statement

Please explain any gaps in work experience, choice of recommender, and/or academic performance issues that may help the admission committee in reviewing your application. (Limit: 250 words)

We require one recommendation from a person who has supervised your work and/or assessed your performance. The Admissions Committee limits each application to one letter of recommendation and cannot accept additional recommendations.

While completing your application, you will be able to send your recommender an invitation to submit their recommendation. Professional recommendations are strongly recommended (i.e. direct supervisor, indirect supervisor, or a client). If you are unable to request a letter of recommendation from your direct supervisor or feel that another recommender would be more appropriate, please explain why in your optional essay statement.  Once your letter of recommendation is received, you will receive an automated email.

While completing the recommendation form, your recommender will be asked to assess specific competencies and traits, and they will also be asked to answer the following three questions:

1. Please provide a brief description of your interaction with the applicant, and if applicable, the applicant's role in your organization. (50 words)
   
   
2. How does the performance of the applicant compare to that of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? For example, what are the applicant's principal strengths? (Recommended word count: 500 words)
   
   
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the applicant. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (Recommended word count: 500 words)

Your recommender will also have the option to upload a response to the optional question: "Is there anything else we should know about the applicant?"

Tip: Give your recommender plenty of time to submit their recommendation by sending them an invitation via the application. Once you start your application, you can save your progress.

Learn more about choosing your recommender on our MBA Insider Blog.

Payment of the non-refundable $200 application fee is required. Accepted forms of payment are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, a U.S. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), or a U.S. eCheck. 

Application Fee Waivers 

MBA applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria may qualify for an application fee waiver:      

• Veteran or current U.S. military service member  
• Teach for America participant (current or alumnus) 
• Forté MBA Launch participant (current or alumnus)
• Fulbright participant (current or alumnus)
• Access Fellow
• MLT MBA Prep Fellow
• Former Pell Grant Recipient 

We are unable to offer application fee waivers based on financial need. Payment of the application fee prior to processing a waiver will not be refunded. If you apply to more than one Texas McCombs MBA program during the same admissions cycle, you are required to pay only the first application fee.

If you are a U.S. permanent resident, after you have submitted your application and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload a copy of the front and back of your permanent resident card. This option is only available after you have paid your application fee in full. Applicants who have applied for U.S. permanent residency but who do not yet have the card in hand, must apply to Texas McCombs as an international applicant. Should your card arrive after, you may notify GIAC to update your status. 

Texas McCombs has always been at the forefront of innovation and continuous improvement, consistently seeking new ways to enhance the application process for prospective MBA candidates. In line with our school mission and values, we introduced a dynamic video assessment component as part of the 2022-23 admission cycle, offering an alternative approach to a more traditional essay and interview format. Given all applicants will complete the video assessment, MBA candidates will have increased access to the application process and the opportunity to share their stories with us in their own voice.  Through the video assessment, the admissions committee will have a chance to experience the “real” you, beyond a resume, test scores, and transcripts. Lastly, the video assessment will enable Texas McCombs to reduce bias in the admissions process by providing all applicants with a structured and consistent assessment experience.

All applicants will be required to complete the Video Assessment shortly after submitting their application and paying the fee. Applicants have 7 days to complete the assessment upon receiving access to the video submission platform. There will be 4 question prompts and applicants will have 90 seconds to answer each prompt. 

Learn more on our MBA Insider Blog.

One of the most vital parts of the MBA application process at Texas McCombs is the human component – “Human-Centered, Future-Focused” is our mantra for a reason. We pride ourselves in getting to know you at a personal level during the admissions process and will continue to provide hundreds of virtual and in-person ways for you to meet our students, alumni, faculty, and admissions team.

We invite all MBA applicants to close out their application process in a human-centered way and complete a short, optional virtual interview. While not required, registering for and completing an interview is highly encouraged.  

These interactive virtual sessions present a valuable opportunity for our applicants to connect with Full-Time MBA students, showcasing their collaborative skills, reaffirming their motivation for pursuing an MBA, and leaving a lasting positive impression on Texas McCombs.

The optional interview will last 20-30 minutes and are available throughout the round. The student ambassador will introduce themselves and ask you up to 3 questions that focus on collaboration and your motivation.  The rest of the time is yours to ask 2-3 questions that are top of mind.