Simon Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

We’re excited to learn of your interest in the Simon Graduate School of Business. In an effort to process your application in a timely manner, we ask that you please follow the application requirements as written. In summary, please provide all required online application materials (unofficial test score reports, transcripts and degree conferral information, essays, resume and recommendations) prior to submitting your online application. As a reminder, our application process is entirely paperless, and therefore we request that you not send us any hard-copy documents until they are requested of you (this includes official test scores and transcripts, bank documents, recommendations, etc.).

Below please find a list of frequently asked questions and answers pertaining to admissions requirements and the application process. They are categorized by topic for your convenience. If you do not find the answer to your question(s) after carefully reading those provided, please contact us via e-mail at admissions@simon.rochester.edu.

Application Deadlines

Which application deadline should I apply for?  Do I have a greater chance of being admitted if I apply in the first deadline?

First and foremost, don't rush to submit your application just to hit the earlier deadlines. We would rather see your most competitive application–including retaking the GMAT for a more competitive score or waiting until an anticipated promotion goes into effect to strengthen your resume – even if this means that you wait to submit your application for a later deadline. Once an application is submitted, we will not accept new test scores or revised documents (unless you choose to “unsubmit” your application, see Question #3 under “Test Scores”). Simon uses a wait list to ensure that we can make admission offers across every application deadline. We don't have a specific number of available offers for any given application deadline; each year our offers vary, depending on the quality and size of the applicant pool.

Second, review our deadlines and take into consideration all that will need to be done to submit your application by your targeted deadline. This includes giving recommenders at least four weeks to submit their materials online on your behalf and receiving your unofficial copies of test scores and transcripts. Keep in mind that the timing for you to hear a decision from us varies, depending on which deadline you choose. Those who apply for an early deadline are guaranteed to get their decision sooner.

Third, good news! There is merit-based scholarship consideration available through all application rounds. Please keep in mind, though, that as the application cycle progresses, it is logical that available scholarship funds diminish. However, there will always be scholarship funds for highly qualified and competitive applicants.

What is rolling admission?

While the Simon School Admissions Office does have deadlines for each program and each entry (visit our website for specific dates) we will also accept and complete applications submitted between deadlines. While only those applications completed by the application deadline are guaranteed decision notifications by the date listed on our website for that particular application round, applications submitted between deadlines will be forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review once the application is complete (it will not be held until the next application deadline). The applicant will then receive an admissions decision in between the notification deadlines for the round that they missed and the next application round.

Eligibility

Here are my statistics (XXX GMAT, XXX TOEFL). Should I apply to Simon? Am I eligible for this program?

While we cannot comment on your eligibility, as that is the reason for an application and admissions process, below is the class profile for current full-time MS class against which you can compare your own accomplishments.

Full-Time MS Class Profile

Please keep in mind that the optional essay and third-party recommendation are an opportunity to strengthen your candidacy. In addition, you may review our selection criteria for further information on what we are looking for in a competitive applicant:

Full-Time MS Selection Criteria

What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

Merit-based scholarship consideration is available to well-qualified MS students who are studying on a full-time basis only. Decisions on scholarships are made at the time of admission and communicated with an admission offer. Scholarship awards are competitive and generally cover only a portion of your tuition expenses and do not include funds for living expenses. Because applicants are automatically considered (just answer "yes" to the question "Are you applying for merit-based scholarships through the Simon School?" under the Financial Aid, Scholarship & Loan section of the application), you do not need to send any supplemental information.

Test Scores

May I submit an application without uploading my test score report?

You may NOT submit an incomplete application. Please ensure that all of the proper documentation has been successfully uploaded into the online application system before submitting your application. Remember, once you have submitted your application you cannot edit your application. In addition, the Admissions Committee will only consider documents that are included in your online application. We do not accept official scores at the time of application–only after you are admitted–and therefore will not be checking for receipt of your official scores until that time. The only exception is for applicants applying to the MS Marketing or MS Medical Management program, for which test scores are optional.

If I take an exam more than once, which score(s) will be counted?

We will consider the highest overall score (i.e., we do not combine the highest verbal with the highest quantitative). Keep in mind that once you submit your application, you cannot edit your score reports.

I retook my GMAT/GRE/TOEFL after I submitted my application. How do I provide you with my updated scores?

• If your application is submitted, but “Not Complete,” and not under review by the Admissions Committee, there are two options:
  • First, you can choose to have your application “unsubmitted.” Please contact the Admissions Office to request your application to be unsubmitted. You would then login to your online application, update your test score information (including uploading your new unofficial test score report) and resubmit. Your application will then NOT be in the application deadline round for which you had originally submitted. Instead, it will be dated with the second date of submission and processed accordingly (i.e., you will not be guaranteed a decision by the notification date of the original round for which you had submitted) 
  • Second, you do not submit your new score. Your application would then stay within the application deadline for which you had originally submitted.
• If your application is “Complete” and already under review by the Admissions Committee, there is no option for you to update your application–no exceptions.

Do I need to send my official test scores, transcripts and bank documents to your office before I submit my application?

We ask that you please NOT send us any official documents at the time of applying. If you are admitted, you will be informed of which documents should be sent to our office. The only information we require in order to provide you with an admissions decision is what is asked of you on our online application. We do not have the capacity to store paper items mailed to us and therefore we will not process or review any hard copy materials that you send us.

TOEFL

May I waive the TOEFL? How do I do so?

If you received a degree (undergraduate or graduate) from an English-speaking institution, you are not required to take/submit the TOEFL. There is no formal TOEFL waiver process. Instead, please enter “0” for the test scores, a dummy date for the test date (e.g. 01/01/1900) and upload a document stating “TOEFL waived due to the receipt of a degree from an English-speaking institution” for the score report.

May I submit a screen shot of my TOEFL score report?

Screen shots of TOEFL scores are now acceptable as appropriate supporting documentation. You may upload screen shots or scanned copies of your online TOEFL score report into the online application. We understand that it may take 4-6 weeks for you to receive your unofficial TOEFL score report and therefore you should plan accordingly. It is the responsibility of the applicant to plan the appropriate timing of their TOEFL exam as it coincides with the application deadline of their choosing. The Simon School offers four application deadlines throughout the recruitment year for summer/fall entry, and also has rolling admissions, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to submit a complete application.

The following is a PDF of a Valid TOEFL Score Report 

If my TOEFL is expiring, do I need to take it again?

TOEFL scores expire two years from the test date. We will accept your TOEFL score as long as you submit your application before the expiration date. Keep in mind that the application instructions ask that you upload a scanned copy, or a screen shot, of the Unofficial Score Report. In addition, please ensure that you have an official score report sent to yourself and us before the expiration date. If admitted, ETS will not send an official score report to us if it’s already expired.

Transcripts/Education

What if I have a three year degree. Can I still apply?

A United States equivalent bachelor’s degree is required for admission to any Simon program. If you participated in a three-year bachelor’s program (e.g., BCOM), this will satisfy the education requirement for our program.

May I submit a screen shot of my transcripts?

Screen shots of transcripts will not be accepted as appropriate supporting documentation–no exceptions. Please do not upload screen shots or scanned copies of your online transcript into the online application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to plan the appropriate timing of gathering application materials as it coincides with the application deadline of their choosing. This may include requesting transcripts from the institution(s) for which you have attended for this purpose and therefore you should plan accordingly. If you have your own personal copies of your transcripts in your records, these are suitable to be uploaded into the application.

The Simon School offers four application deadlines throughout the recruiting year for summer/fall entry, and also has rolling admissions, so there are plenty of opportunities for you to submit a complete application. Applications without uploaded transcripts from each institution attended (regardless if a degree was received), or with a screen shot that was uploaded, will be unsubmitted and will not be considered for that deadline round.

Entry Terms/Program Extensions

I am interested in the MS Finance program but I only see a summer-start option in the application. Why is this?

There are two MS Finance programs available, one for those who already have an MBA, and one for those who do not. If you have already completed an MBA, the MS Finance program is a nine-month program which begins in the fall. If you do not have an MBA, you should apply for the 11-month program which begins in the summer.

I would like to apply for the 17-month internship track. How may I do this?       

The 17-month program is only an option once you have been admitted into the general 11-month program. Once you are on campus for orientation, you will receive instructions on how to petition for entry into the internship track. It is important to remember that the 17-month track hinges on your success in finding an internship. While our Career Management Center will work closely with you to plan out a strategy for your internship search and guide you towards internships for which you are suitable, it is a self-directed search and will be your responsibility to successfully land the internship.

Resume

What should I include on my resume if I do not have any prior work experience?

Please limit your current resume to two pages and include your employment, academic and extracurricular history. For those without full-time work experience, internships should be included. For each position, please include the following:

• Dates of employment (month and year)
• Employer Name and estimated number of employees
• Location
• Job title
• Responsibilities and accomplishments
• Starting and ending salaries (if an unpaid internship, indicate such)
• Average number of hours worked per week
• Reason for job/position change.

Please explain any gaps in your employment history, and include post-secondary educational history, non-academic interests and activities, awards received, and examples of leadership roles.

Supplemental Materials

Should I send you a hard copy of my completed online application, additional hard-copy recommendations, and/or supplemental materials to my application (e.g., additional writing samples, research or term papers, copies of my thesis, my personal statement, CDs, slides, portfolios, pictures, etc.)?

We ask that you please NOT send us any official documents at the time of applying. If you are admitted, you will be informed of which documents should be sent to our office. The only information we require in order to provide you with an admissions decision is what is asked of you on our online application. We do not have the capacity to store paper items mailed to us and therefore we will not process or review any hard copy materials that you send us.

Technical Support

I am having trouble interpreting my ApplyYourself status. Can you check it for me?

While we cannot check your status for you, below is a PDF which explains how to interpret your ApplyYourself Status.
Online Application Explanation

I forgot my PIN/Password, who should I contact for assistance?

In the event that you have forgotten your PIN and/or Password, please contact the technical support team at: http://emt.hobsons-us.com.

When should I contact technical support?

The Simon Admissions Office is happy to help answer any questions you may have regarding the online application process and requirements. However, when it comes to matters of a technical nature, for instance if you’re having difficulty accessing your online application or you’re receiving an error message, it is best to contact the technical support team. Simply click on the technical support button within the online application for assistance, or at: http://emt.hobsons-us.com.

I applied to your program previously (more than one year ago) and would like to re-apply. However, I’m not able to create a new application, because of a “duplicate” account. How can I create a second application for a new program and/or term?

If you are applying to the same program within one year of your previous application, please contact our office to find out more about the reapplication process (a shorter application process). If you are applying to a new program and/or term one year from your previous application, you will need to create a new account with a new and/or alternate e-mail address. Your e-mail address is used as a unique identifier in the online application, and therefore cannot be used more than once. If you continue to have problems, please contact technical support at: http://emt.hobsons-us.com.