Minnesota Carlson

Minneapolis, MN · Public · 2-year full-time

Average GMAT Focus: 615
Median GPA: 3.50
Class size: 75 (Class of 2027)
Program tuition: $128,920 (≈ 2 × first-year tuition, nonresident)

Deadlines

Round 1: Oct. 1, 2026
Round 2: Dec. 1, 2026
Round 3 (final for intl applicants outside U.S.): Feb. 1, 2027
Round 4 (final for intl applicants inside U.S.): April 1, 2027
Round 5: June 1, 2027

Essays

Personal statement, question 1 (About 3 pages for all three questions)

Why are you choosing to pursue an MBA at this time in your career? What are you hoping to accomplish by doing so? Briefly describe your short-term (upon graduation from the program) and long-term (5-10 years after the program) career goals. Please be as specific as possible with roles, companies and/or industries.

Personal statement, question 2 (About 3 pages for all three questions)

What excites you about being part of the Carlson MBA program? Do you have an enterprise program that you are currently interested in and why?

Personal statement, question 3 (About 3 pages for all three questions)

Carlson MBA programs are looking for diverse voices and experiences to add to classroom discussions. Can you tell us about how you have participated in and/or advocated for building more inclusive communities in your career?

Impromptu video essay (2 minutes to prepare, 2 minutes to record, one attempt)

The impromptu video essay is a required component of the application that provides candidates with an opportunity to show the admissions committee the authentic you. Think of this video essay as if you were answering a live interview question with a member of our admissions committee.

MBA affinity fellowship essay (NBMBAA, Prospanica, ROMBA or Forté) (One page per organization)

How do your personal and professional goals align with the mission of the NBMBAA/Prospanica/ROMBA/Forte organization?

David S. Kidwell Funds Enterprise scholarship essay (One page)

Why are you interested in the Finance Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, and how would participation in the David S. Kidwell Funds Enterprise help you reach your career goals?

Optional essay (One page)

Use this essay to share information that is not presented elsewhere in the application, for example: Explanation of employment gaps or academic weaknesses; Quantitative abilities; Choice of recommenders; For re-applicants, improvements to your candidacy.

Editor's notes

Oct. 1 is a week away, and it's the deadline that carries a guaranteed scholarship for anyone admitted. Guaranteed means a complete application, and complete means both GMAC recommendation forms are in. If your recommenders can't file by then, don't send a thin application to hit the date. The FAQ says earlier rounds get the best scholarship consideration, so Dec. 1 is a solid second choice.
Plan on an interview. Carlson says it has historically interviewed just under 90% of completed applications, so the written file mostly decides whether you're admitted after the interview, not whether you get one. The interview mixes informational and behavioral questions, and you pick Zoom or campus.
If you're international and want the 24-month STEM OPT extension, apply to the Management Science MBA, not the standard Full-Time MBA. Carlson says so directly. It's the same application and the same core, plus analytics and STEM electives.
Think before you ask for a test waiver. You have to request it before you submit, Carlson uses scores in merit scholarship decisions, and it warns that some consulting and finance employers ask for them. If you're aiming at those fields, a score probably helps you.