Admission to the Cox MBA Program is highly selective. The Admissions Committee seeks a diverse group of candidates demonstrating the following attributes:
- Significant professional and life experiences.
- Strong academic capabilities, leadership potential, and interpersonal and communication skills.
- Personal qualities such as maturity, integrity, self-confidence, and motivation.
- A strong commitment to learning and achievement.
Successful applicants typically have several years of full-time work experience, a strong undergraduate academic record, and competitive scores on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). You should be computer literate, with a basic understanding of e-mail, the Internet, and spreadsheets. Although not required, we strongly recommend that you also have a working knowledge of calculus, accounting, statistics, and microeconomics.
Application Deadlines - Fall 2012 Entry
Round 1 - November 2, 2011
Ensures the earliest possible admission decision.
Round 2 - January 11, 2012
STRONGLY recommended for international candidates, those who plan to apply for the Cox Distinguished MBA Scholars program, and those who wish to receive a decision in time to attend Sneak Preview Weekend.
Round 3 - March 7, 2012
Final application opportunity for those who wish to be considered for merit-based scholarship awards.
Round 4 - May 2, 2012
Final regular deadline; after this deadline, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis only if space remains in the incoming class.
For more information, please contact us at 214-768-1214 or 800-472-3622 or via email at mbainfo@cox.smu.edu.
Application Process / Checklist
Your application, supporting documents, and personal interview are very important in the selection process. We hope that you will provide us with the most complete and honest picture of yourself. After candidate applications are completed, submitted, and reviewed by the Cox MBA Admissions Committee, evaluative interviews are conducted by invitation only.
Your complete application will contain the following components:
• Application forms found in the online application
• Professional resumé
• Essays (Three specific topics are required; you may submit a fourth supplemental essay ONLY to
address issues not covered in required essays)
• GMAT score taken within the last five years
• Degreed undergraduate transcripts
• If applicable, TOEFL or Pearson Test of English score taken within the last two years (see International
Applicants section for more information)
• Two professional references (names and contact information only, no letters) - people who can speak
to your work-related skills and abilities
While we can accept unofficial copies of scores and transcripts, if offered admission to Cox, you are required to submit official GMAT scores, official TOEFL/PTE scores (as applicable), and official transcripts within 30 days. The GMAT school code for Cox MBA is HWG-KN-06. Cox reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission should any misrepresentation occur.
For additional admissions criteria and tips on completing the application process, please visit Admission Criteria & Tips
Re-Applicants
Candidates who wish to re-apply and have submitted an application within the past year should contact the admissions office at mbainfo@cox.smu.edu before beginning the process. The admissions team will confirm possession of your previous application file and determine the submission requirements you will need.
SMU Cox is a diverse microcosm representative of the world’s best and brightest minds. We actively seek diverse individuals with differing perspectives who can contribute to broadening their peers’ exposure to varying insights. By design, we recruit students with diverse educational backgrounds, work experiences, and personal aspirations and who are all strongly committed to advancing their careers.
| Class of 2013 | |
|---|---|
| Average GMAT | 641 |
| GMAT Range (Middle 80%) | 563 - 710 |
| Average GPA | 3.25 |
| GPA Range (Middle 80%) | 2.77 - 3.74 |
| Average Years of Work Experience | 4.7 |
| Years of Work Experience Range (Middle 80%) | 2.0 - 6.4 |
| Average Age | 28 |
| % International (Non-U.S. citizen) | 22% |
| % Women | 22% |
| % Minorities | 16% |
Undergraduate Degrees
| Degree | Class of 2013 |
|---|---|
| Business/Commerce | 33% |
| Engineering | 22% |
| Economics | 15% |
| Humanities | 8% |
| Social Science | 17% |
| Science | 7% |
Fall 2012 application instructions and deadlines now available!
The Cox MBA Admissions Committee strongly encourages you to use the Cox MBA Online Application. This is the preferred method of application. All of your information is kept strictly confidential and is protected by your own user ID and password. The system is user friendly and offers online payment options for the application fee. Once you have completed and submitted your application online, we will download the information for review. By utilizing the online process, your recommenders can complete your letters of recommendation online in just a few simple steps. You can even send them reminders!
Fall 2012 Instructions - PDF Version
While we strongly encourage you to apply through the online system, PDF copies are posted here for your reference. You will need to use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this file. If you do not have it, you can download the latest version from Adobe.
Fall 2012 Application Instructions - please print a copy for your records!