Graduate Programs : MBA : Admissions : Application Checklist
Complete and submit the entire Graduate Application online via CSU Mentor online application.
If applying for the MBA degree
Please select “Business Admin [MBA]” for Major/Program Objective and select “Other (Specify)” for Degree Objective, then type “MBA” in the pop-up box.
If applying for the MSBA degree
lease select “Business Admin [MS]” for Major/program Objective and select “MS” for Degree Objective.
The program code number is 05011 for both the MBA and the MSBA. Also, on the application, please indicate the date you took, or plan to take, the GMAT exam.
Mail the following four documents to the Division of Graduate Studies
Division of Graduate Studies, ADM 250
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California 94132
U.S.A.
1) Application Fee
Enclose a check or money order for US$55.00 and payable to San Francisco State University. Or, when applying online, you may submit the fee electronically.
2) Transcripts
Send one official sealed copy from all colleges, universities, and community colleges attended. International transcripts must include original transcripts plus a certified English Translation. If official transcripts do not show the degree conferred, then a copy of the diploma with a certified English Translation is also required. Only original copies are accepted.
3) TOEFL
The TOEFL exam is required for admission by all applicants who have earned their undergraduate degree outside of the United States. Applicants who have completed their degrees in English, may contact the Division of Graduate Studies at gradstdy@sfsu.edu to determine if they are required to take the exam. The exam should be taken as soon as possible prior to the application period. Scores are valid for two years after the test date.
The TOEFL school code is 4683.
To register for the TOEFL please call 1(800)GO-TOEFL or visit the TOEFL website.
Free TOEFL preparation information is available on the SFSU Testing Center's web site under “Test Prep free on Internet.”
Note: SF State will accept the IELTS exam in place of the TOEFL.
4) SEVIS Information Form for International Students
Applicants who need a student visa (F or J) must also submit this form that includes:
- financial statement dated within three months from the date of the Application and that is certified by the bank indicating that the student or sponsors have at least US$29,863 to cover one academic year of study. Please check the form for the most current required amount.
- signed Medical Insurance Agreement (bottom portion of the Supplemental Form for International Students). Once admitted to the program, proof of health insurance is necessary in order to register for classes.
The form must be submitted before the Document Deadline, and can be obtained from the same site as the Application form: http://www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy/prospective-form.htm
mailing Address
Please mail the following four documents to the College of Business Graduate Programs
College of Business, Graduate Programs
San Francisco State University
835 Market Street, Suite 550
San Francisco, California 94103
U.S.A.
1) GMAT Exam
The GMAT is required for admission by all applicants.
The GMAT school codes are:
- F87HP99 for the MBA program
- F87HP42 for the MSBA program
All GMAT exams must be sent to the university directly from the GMAT test center. To register for the GMAT please call 1(800)717-GMAT or visit http://www.mba.com/.
Free GMAT preparation is listed on http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing under “Test Prep free on Internet.”
2) Statement of Purpose
This essay is a required document. The Admissions Committee would like to see evidence of an applicant's maturity and motivation to finish the program. Include reasons for pursuing a graduate business degree at SF State, past accomplishments that would indicate potential as a successful candidate, and projections for the future. There are no specific guidelines regarding the format of this essay, but the length can be limited to two pages. Please submit on a separate sheet rather than using the space on the online application.
3) Résumé
Full time work experience is highly recommended for admission to the program. Current incoming class average full time work experience is three years.
4) Letters of Recommendation
You may download the recommendation letter Cover Form, sign and submit to each recommender. Please ask your recommender to complete form and attach to their recommendation letter. Letters can be from employers or professors. There is no specific format and no more than two letters are necessary.
Check Application Status Online
Once you have submitted your application, please use the following link to check your application status online.
American Language Institute Recommendation
The College of Business Graduate Programs recommends that international students study at the American Language Institute (ALI), an intensive English program on the SF State campus, prior to their MBA studies if they have not met the minimum GMAT (verbal) and/or TOEFL requirement and/or to improve their English proficiency and academic skills in preparation for graduate study.
At the ALI, students have opportunities to improve lecture listening, note-taking, oral presentation, and academic reading and writing skills, and to become better oriented to the American educational system. For more information, check the ALI web site: http://www.sfsu.edu/~ali.
