MBA Application Steps & Admissions

The Providence College School of Business Graduate Programs look for students with strong intellectual and interpersonal skills. The programs enroll students who are ready for the academic rigor of graduate study, are willing and able to meaningfully contribute to their courses, and are prepared to experience working in industries that would encourage an interactive and vibrant learning community.

Holistic Application Review

We holistically review applications, focusing on academic achievement, professional development, career goals, and personal characteristics. We review applicant transcripts and GMAT sub-scores and take many factors into consideration.

MBA applicants are required to take the GMAT or GRE exam, though waivers are available for particular circumstances. Please see more information about GMAT/GRE waivers in the application steps.

The PC MBA code for GMAT is 3406. The PC MBA code for the GRE is 0567.

PC Business Graduate Admissions Guide

There are no minimum GPA or GMAT/GRE requirements. However, the average GPA and GMAT scores listed below may be used as a guide.

CriteriaAverage
Undergraduate GPA3.42
GMAT530
Verbal Reasoning – GRE152
Quantitative Reasoning – GRE155
Analytic Writing Assessment (AWA) – GMAT5

Applicants are encouraged to earn a 50% or higher in Verbal Reasoning, a 25% or higher in Quantitative, and a 5 or above in Analytical Writing Assessment on the GMAT. 

The PC MBA code for GMAT is 3406. The PC MBA code for the GRE is 0567.

PC Business Graduate Programs Application Process

Applicants are encouraged to submit the online application first and then submit other items, such as transcripts and scores. In so doing, students will be able to track their application status online and the PC Business Graduate Programs office can contact the student with upcoming deadline information.

Please note that the non-refundable application fee must be paid after the online application has been submitted. In preparation of submitting the application form for admission, please have your resume ready and personal essay ready for upload. The application form will also ask for the name and contact information for two recommenders.

Providence College MBA Application Steps

It is recommended that you review this detailed information on the application steps, including valuable guidance on submitting a successful application, before applying to the program.

Step One: Application

Complete and submit the online application and pay the application fee. The non-refundable fee must be paid after you have submitted your application. In preparation of submitting the application form for admission, please have your resume ready for upload, and complete your personal essay. The application form will also ask for two recommenders.

It is encouraged to submit the online application first and foremost and, then, submit other items, such as transcripts and scores. In so doing, students will be able to track their application status online and the MBA Program Office can contact the student with upcoming deadline information.

Personal Statement: Your essay should address the following areas in 500 words or fewer:

  • Your reason for pursuing graduate study at Providence College.
  • Your academic background and work experience that qualifies you for the admittance to the MBA program and how this applies to your future plans or career goals.
  • Other information that may be of special interest or extenuating circumstances that you would like the program to know about your candidacy.

Two Recommendations: As part of the online application, you must submit the names and contact information of two recommenders who can speak to your ability to be successful in the MBA Program. The recommenders will be sent an email directly from the online application system once you click “send to recommender.” No more than two recommendations is preferred.

The recommenders will complete and submit the recommendation and can upload a letter if they would like. (Note: a recommendation letter is optional; the recommendation form is required.)

Tips on Recommendations:

  • Academic recommendations are preferable. Select instructor(s) from your undergraduate major who are able to speak about your academic performance and ability to perform MBA-level work.
  • For applicants who are no longer in contact with their undergraduate professors, professional recommendations should be submitted by a current or former supervisor. This is preferably someone who has known you for some time and who is familiar with your skills, abilities, and personality.
  • Formally ask your two recommenders if they are willing to submit a recommendation before submitting their name in the application form and at least three-to-four weeks prior to the application deadline. Provide them with details, such as the deadline, and let them know that they will receive an emailed link from the application site. The MBA recommendation form should not take too long to complete and is required; letters are optional. All items must be received by the application deadline to be considered.
  • Use caution when entering the recommenders’ email address in the online application; check for accuracy.
  • You may send reminder links to your recommenders through the application site as the deadline approaches.

The applicant is responsible for seeing that recommendations are submitted by the application deadline.

Step Two: Send Supporting Materials

Send to the PC Business Graduate Programs office:

Official Transcripts (Domestic): The MBA Program requires transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary educational institutions. This includes both complete and incomplete degrees/studies in the U.S. and non-U.S. institutions. All transcripts must be sent directly from the academic institution, not the applicant.

Please have all official transcripts are sent electronically to: gradschool@providence.edu (preferred), or via mail to: Graduate Admissions, Providence College, Office of Admission, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918.

GMAT or GRE Score Reports: MBA applicants are required to take the GMAT or GRE exam. The Providence College MBA Program will waive the GMAT/GRE requirement for admission consideration if the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the MBA Program, at least one of the following:

  • An earned baccalaureate degree in a business major, from a business program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.50.
  • An earned terminal graduate degree (PhD, MD, JD, etc.) from an accredited institution.
  • United States business licensure, e.g. CPA or CFA (documentation required).
  • An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, in any major, with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 and a minimum of five years of post-baccalaureate professional managerial work experience, including supervisory roles, with increased responsibility over that time period.
  • Completion of five semesters of full-time coursework (minimum of 75 credits) taken at Providence College in a business major (accountancy, finance, management, and marketing) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50.
  • Is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society (documentation required).
  • Completion of a Graduate Certificate Program at Providence College (must be applied within the year of completing the certificate program).

Students who would like to request one of the GMAT/GRE waivers listed above should submit the GMAT Waiver Request form in the online application. NOTE: Applicants looking for a GMAT or GRE waiver should refrain from sending scores to the PC Business Graduate Programs office. Any score received is automatically considered as part of student’s application. If a waiver is not accepted, the applicant must then send scores to Providence College. MBA applicants are responsible for ensuring that GMAT or GRE scores are released to the MBA program, within five years of taking the exam. The PC MBA code is 3406. The MBA program has no minimum GMAT/GRE score, however, we do review the overall score, as well as the sub-scores.

Step Three: For International Applicants Only

Submit the following:

The online application form and all other materials must be received by the listed deadlines for consideration.

Application materials may be sent via email or mail:

Graduate Admission
Providence College
Office of Admission
1 Cunningham Square
Providence, RI 02918
gradschool@providence.edu
401.865.2294

Step Four: Check Application Status

MBA applicants are responsible for monitoring their application. Applicants can monitor their application status online. The MBA Program will email applicants once all application materials have been sent to the MBA Program and the application is complete. To protect the privacy of our applicants, we do not release the application status or decision via non-official email, phone, or fax. In addition, we do not discuss an applicant’s status with anyone except the applicant.

Admission Notifications

The PC Business Graduate Programs office only reviews completed applications. Once an application is complete, the PC Business Graduate Programs office sends an email indicating that the application is being reviewed. After the application is reviewed, the PC Business Graduate Programs office sends the applicant an email with an attached letter confirming the admission decision within approximately four to six weeks. Students typically receive one of the following admission decisions: offer of admission, interview invitation, denial of admission, denial with an option to reapply, conditional admission, or waitlist offer.

Offer of Admission

If an applicant is admitted into the PC Business Grad Programs, he or she receives an acceptance letter and admission packet. The student must return his or her acceptance materials and enrollment fee to the PC Business Grad Program within 30 calendar days from the date of the acceptance letter, unless otherwise noted on the admission letter. If a student fails to send in his or her acceptance materials and enrollment fee to the program within the deadline, the applicant forfeits his or her spot in the Program.

After the PC Business Graduate Programs office receives the non-refundable enrollment fee and acceptance packet, the office contacts the student regarding a mandatory orientation session and math module and information on course registration. Admitted students are required to attend the new student orientation before registering and beginning their first term. Failure to attend orientation and submission of required math modules may lead to MBA admission revocation and/or the placement of an academic hold on the student’s account.

Waitlist Offer

Applicants who are waitlisted receive a letter via email confirming waitlist status. This means that the student’s application is competitive for admission for that term, but that the Program may not have capacity to accept that student. The letter will ask the applicant to contact the PC Business Graduate Programs office to confirm whether he or she would like to remain on the waitlist until an opening is available to begin the Program for that semester. A student can request to be evaluated for admission for the next term.

Denial of Admission

An applicant may receive a letter via email confirming that he or she has not been accepted into the PC Business Grad Programs. An applicant may also receive a letter offering the option to work with an PC Business Graduate Programs advisor for application coaching and recommendations. This letter is sent to students whose applications are competitive, with the exception of GPA, GMAT/GRE, or TOEFL. In this case, the Program will deny the student’s application, but the students should contact the PC Business Graduate Programs office for guidance. The request is typically made to students with a lower GMAT score.

Conditional Admission

Very few students are considered for conditional admission. These applicants will receive an email confirming they are admitted contingent upon specific conditions, such as maintaining a minimum GPA their first semester. If the student fails to meet the conditions of their acceptance, a hold will be placed on their account, and they will be removed from the Program.