Online MBA Boston University: Questrom School of Business

Application Form

When you’re ready to apply, start with our online application form, opens in new tab. Please be sure to select “Online MBA” from the program list when creating your application in the system. The easiest way to do this is to enter “Online MBA” in the search bar. Please review our admissions checklist to stay on top of required materials, and keep an eye on our deadlines, too.

Feel free to contact us with any questions along the way. We want the admissions process to be as simple and transparent as possible. Reach out to the Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid Office at (617) 353-2670 or omba@bu.edu. , opens in new tab

Kira Talent Assessment (Optional)

We know that you are more than what’s on paper. During the online application process, all Online MBA candidates are invited to answer 3 Kira Talent Video Questions, which allow us to get to know you on a more personal level. You can access the Kira Talent platform here, opens in new tab. When you register, you must use the same email address that you used to create your admission application account. Upon creating your account with Kira Talent, you can begin your video assessment. You’ll need to use an internet-connected computer with a webcam and microphone. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare, and then 60 seconds to record your answers. You can practice an unlimited number of times with Kira Talent’s example questions, but once you start the formal video assessment, you are only allowed one opportunity to record. This allows the committee to see your candid responses. We want your video recording process to be as easy as possible. As such, we encourage you to dress in business casual attire – no need for a suit. The Admissions Committee will then evaluate your responses to learn more about your experiences and to see how you think on your feet. We recommend trying out a few of the sample Kira questions prior to recording your formal video essay. This is not a required application component, but we highly encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity.

Written Essay

In order to get to know you on a more personal level, applicants to the Online MBA program are required to complete one written essay during the application process. Your written essay should be no more than 750 words, and should explain to the admissions committee why you’d like to earn your degree from the Questrom School of Business specifically. It should also address why you have selected the program you are applying to and how that program will help you achieve your post-graduate goals.

Within the “Documents” section of the “Program Materials” portion of the application, you will scroll down to “Essay” and click “Add Document” to upload your written essay.

Optional Essay

If you have additional information to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee, you may address it in an optional essay of no more than 250 words. Acceptable topics for the optional essay include, but are not limited to, obstacles in your life that you’ve had to overcome, gaps in post-college work experience, choice of recommenders, and concerns about academic/test performance. If you plan to retake any admissions tests (GMAT or GRE; TOEFL, IELTS or PTE), please provide the date of your scheduled test here. To upload an optional essay, please scroll to the “Essay” section and click “Add Document.”

Undergraduate Degrees & Transcript Information

We require transcripts from any institution where you have completed 12 or more credits, including study abroad. We will accept unofficial copies of transcripts for the evaluation of your application, though any copies should include your name, the University name, degree confer date, course names, and grades for each course taken. 

We require that applicants hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited US institution or its international equivalent. If you have earned a three-year degree that is the equivalent of a four-year degree in the US, it will be accepted in the admissions process. For example, if you earned a three-year degree in India, your degree will qualify you to be considered for admission. Regardless of program length, if you are uncertain whether your undergraduate degree meets our qualifications, please contact omba@bu.edu, opens in new tab before starting the application process. 

Students admitted to our graduate degree programs must provide proof of an earned bachelor’s degree or equivalent international credential. Boston University does not require official transcripts with the submission of an application. Should a student decide to enroll at Boston University Questrom School of Business, official transcripts from each of your previous universities must be submitted and verified prior to the point of matriculation. 

GMAT or GRE (Optional)

The GMAT or GRE is not required for admission to the Online MBA. However, the Online MBA is a rigorous program that requires quantitative aptitude, and the admissions committee will look for evidence of this in your application via previous coursework. If you feel that you do not have sufficient evidence in your previous coursework to demonstrate this aptitude, you may want to consider submitting a GMAT or GRE score to enhance your application.

Work Experience & Resume

You should submit a current resume that outlines all work experience, with months and years of employment. Your resume should show all employment history from the completion of your undergraduate degree, including any jobs that may not be considered relevant to your present career. We will calculate all full-time, post-graduate work experience from your undergraduate degree confer date and remove any gaps of unemployment. It’s important that we have an accurate sense of your months/years of employment for reporting purposes.

Within the online application you will also be asked to fill out a work experience section. For Online MBA students, we recognize this could be quite a bit of work. Please feel free to only include your current or most recent employment. We will look to your resume for the rest of the details on your work history.

Letter of Recommendation

We require one letter of recommendation for the Online MBA. Within the application (program materials, recommender section) you will enter your recommender information. Once entered into the system, the person(s) listed will receive detailed instructions on how to submit their letter. They can either use the Common Letter of Recommendation or upload a standard letter they have written. We prefer you use someone who knows you in a professional capacity. 

Please note, your letter of recommendation must come via the online system or directly from the recommender themselves to OMBAappdocs@bu.edu, opens in new tab. We cannot accept letters of recommendation directly from applicants.