Santa Clara University

FAQ’s for MSIS Program

• Application process & deadlines

• GRE or GMAT exam

• TOEFL or IELTS exam

• Transcript

• GPA

• Letters of Recommendation

• Work Experience

• International Applicants

• Application process & deadlines

  I am applying, but want to make sure I have collected all the required documents. What’s needed to review my application?

  A complete application contains the following:

  • Application form (completed online)
  • $75 application fee; $100 for International applicants requiring a student visa
  • Essay question responses
  • Current resume
  • Two official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Two completed confidential recommendation forms (or letters on recommenders letterhead)
  • Official GMAT or GRE scores
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS score (if English is not applicant’s first language)

  All application materials become the property of Santa Clara University at the time of submission and cannot be returned regardless of the decision of the Admissions Committee. Each applicant should retain copies for his/her own records.

  Can I mail in my MSIS application?

  At this time, the only way to apply to the MSIS Program is through our website. You can create your own account which allows you to fill out your application and save it as you go. To create your personal login and begin filing out your application, visit: www.scu.edu/business/msis/application-checklist.cfm

  How do I submit the supplemental materials for my application?

  You may send documents to support your application to the attention of:
  
  MSIS Admissions Committee
  Leavey School of Business
  Lucas Hall Suite 116
  Santa Clara University
  500 El Camino Real
  Santa Clara, CA 95053-0410

  Can I submit documents supporting my application as I get them or should they be given to you all at once?

  Applicants may submit supporting materials as they become available. The order in which we receive your supporting materials is not as important as your application being submitted on or before the deadline.

  Can I submit my resume separately?

  A current resume is required. You may submit this as part of the online application or you may send it separately with the other supplemental application materials. A current resume should include both your past and present employment positions and any academic or skill information you wish to share.

  What quarters do your accept applications and what are the deadlines for each quarter?

  We accept MSIS program applications for the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. Application deadlines for each quarter are as follows:
  Fall Quarter – April 1st (1st round), June 1st (2nd round)
  Winter Quarter – November 1st
  Spring Quarter – January 20th
  

  Classes start in September (Fall), January (Winter), and April (Spring)

  Does when I apply affect my changes of being accepted?

  An application is reviewed with the same consideration no matter which term the student wishes to begin enrollment.

  How long before I hear back with the admissions decision?

  Applications, when complete, are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Once an application is ready for review by the Admissions Committee, you will hear from us with an admissions decision within one or two weeks.

  What is the essay requirement portion of the application?

  Applicants are encouraged to give considerable time and thought to their essay responses. Answer each question succinctly and carefully. Please follow the directions and limit responses to one or two pages in length (about 500 to 700 words). The essay response section is part of the online application. Applicants may submit the essay responses with the application electronically or send hard copies under separate cover. It is recommended that an applicant answer the optional essay if there is any information in the applicant’s background that the applicant would like to highlight or explain to the admissions committee. Our coursework requires a strong command of written communication and multiple essays help the Admissions Committee get to know you as an individual and how you express your thoughts.

  What are my chances of admission?

  Much consideration is given to each applicant’s materials so without a complete application it is not possible to state whether or not you could attend the program. We encourage you to compile the necessary application materials and focus on submitting an application that exemplifies your academic competence.

  How do I know the status of my application?

  Once you have submitted your application you will be able to logon to your eCampus account to check the status of your application. Once all application documents are received, your application status will be listed as “complete”.

  How will I be notified of my admissions decision?

  Decisions are sent via e-mail.

  How will I know when you have received all my application materials?

  Once you have submitted your application you will receive status updates via e-mail. Please refer to this e-mail to verify your application materials have been received.

• GRE or GMAT exam

  Is there anyway to waive the GRE or GMAT requirement?

  Applicants to the MSIS Program must submit either the GRE or GMAT scores. There are no exceptions.

  I haven’t taken the GMAT/GRE yet – can I submit my application?

  Yes - we encourage applicants to submit application as early as they can. However, to make an admissions decision we would require a copy of your GMAT/GRE score as reported from the test administrator.

  Can you accept me first and then I’ll take the GRE or GMAT?

  The Admissions Committee will need a copy of your GRE or GMAT score before your application is reviewed for an admissions decision. The official GRE or GMAT score is needed before an applicant is admitted.

  Where should I send my GRE/GMAT scores?

  You should have your scores sent to Santa Clara University – Leavey School of Business.
  For GRE, reference Institution code: 7238
  For GMAT, reference Institution code: 4851

  I have taken the GRE or GMAT exam twice. Do you consider the average of both tests or the better score?

  We take only your highest GRE or GMAT score into consideration.

  What is your minimum GMAT/GRE score?

  We do not have a minimum GMAT or GRE score. The current average GRE score is 305 (combined verbal and quantitative) and average GMAT score is 600. These are averages. We do accept scores above and below the average.

  When should I take the GMAT/GRE?

  Official test scores can take up to 4 weeks to reach us. Please take this into account when scheduling your test date, as we cannot issue you a decision until we have received your official test score.

• TOEFL or IELTS exam

  What is the minimum TOEFL/IELTS score?

  We do not have a minimum TOEFL score. The current average for the TOEFL exam is a score of 100 for the internet-based test. The average score for the IELTS exam is 7.0. These are averages. WE do accept scores above and below the average.

  Where should I send my TOEFL/IELTS scores?

  You should have your scores sent to Santa Clara University – Leavey School of Business.
  For TOEFL, reference Institution code: 4851, Department code: 02

  When should I take the TOEFL/IELTS?

  TOEFL/IETLS scores can take up to 6 weeks to reach our office. We cannot process your application and make an admissions decision without your officially reported English proficiency exam score, so please take this into account when scheduling your exam date.

  Is there anyway to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement?

  The TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory for applicants for whom English is not their first language. This requirement may be waived if an applicant:
  

  • Scores in the 50th percentile or above on the verbal section of the GRE or GMAT.

  International students who have graduated from university or college in the United States often qualify for a TOEFL/IETLS waiver. To qualify for a waiver, you must either have continuously remained in the United States since graduation or, if you have left the United States, you must have graduated no more than 2 years ago. For questions on this policy and to see if you qualify, please contact MSIS Admissions at 408-551-7047 or miss-admissions@scu.edu.

  I haven’t taken the TOEFL yet – can I submit my application?

  Yes - we encourage applicants to submit application as early as they can. However, to make an admissions decision we would require a copy of your GMAT/GRE/TOEFL score as reported from the test administrator.

• Transcript

  What is a transcript?

  An Official Transcript provides evidence of your university (undergraduate and post-graduate) academic record. To remain official, a transcript must remain sealed in its school-issued envelope from the time it leaves the school’s registrar office to its arrival at Santa Clara University’s MSIS Admissions office.

  Is it acceptable for me to deliver my official transcript or must it be sent from the school directly?

  The official transcript may be sent or delivered by the applicant or by the originating school, as long as it is official.

  The application checklist states that two sets of official transcripts are required. I only have one single sealed and signed transcript from my college, can I still apply?

  Yes, you may still apply with the one official transcript and submit a second official sealed transcript prior to registration.

  If I took only one class at a community college do I need to submit that transcript?

  Absolutely! We require official transcripts from all post-secondary schools that you have attended. This includes any coursework done at community colleges, extension programs and other institutions.

• GPA

  Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?

  An applicant’s undergraduate GPA is not the sole focus of the Admissions Committee. The average GPA of admitted applicants is 3.20 which are not used as a minimum. Much consideration is given to each applicant’s materials. We encourage you to compile the necessary application materials and focus on submitting an application that exemplifies your academic competence.

• Letters of Recommendation

  My recommenders prefer to write letters since the form is impersonal and the spaces provided are small. Is that ok?

  The recommendation forms are required for your letters of recommendation. These forms were created to bring out the most sincere description of you from the person giving your recommendation and the standard format helps us evaluate applications with consistency. If your recommenders felt the spaces provided on the form do not adequately allow the space necessary, an additional sheet of paper may be used and the corresponding question number can be noted so the answers correspond to the original form.

  Can I get an electronic recommendation form so my recommenders can send them in from another country?

  In the online application there is a link for Recommendations. This offers a PDF version of the necessary form. This can be easily attached to an email, making it easier to share this form with your recommenders. It is your responsibility to send the recommendation form to your recommenders. At the moment, there is no way to submit completed recommendation forms through our website. The completed form must be placed in an envelope and sealed by the recommender then signed across the seal by said recommender as to assure complete confidentiality. Once sealed in an envelope, the recommendation forms may be returned to us by each recommender or by the applicant.

  Do recommendations need to be sealed in a special envelope?

  The completed recommendation form must be placed in an envelope and sealed by the recommender then signed across the seal by said recommender as to assure complete confidentiality. The envelope can be the recommender’s own or one that you, the applicant, have provided. Once sealed in an envelope, the recommendation forms may be returned to us by each recommender or by the applicant.

• Work Experience

  What is the application requirement for work experience?

  Although work experience is not a requirement for admission, some full-time work experience beyond college is strongly recommended. Much of the curriculum in our program focuses on the practical application of learned theory and concepts. This is much more valuable when you have work experience to bring the application alive. Work experience also allows you to contribute more effectively to team assignments.

  Does Internship experience weigh the same as full-time work experience when evaluating the applicants?

  Internship work experience does count, but not as strong as full-time work experience.

• International Applicants

  As an international prospective student, what are the specific application and admission requirements?

  The following is a list of all the required components of an international application:

  • Application form (completed online)
  • $100 for international applicants requiring a student visa
  • Essay question responses (completed online)
  • Resume
  • Official GRE or GMAT score
  • Two official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Two completed confidential letter of recommendation forms (available on application website)
  • Official scores from the TOEFL or IELTS, if English is not applicant’s first language
  • Financial Resource Statement with official documents verifying funds to cover tuition and expenses (for international applicants only, to be submitted upon acceptance and not prior)

  Are international students allowed to apply for the MSIS Program?

  International students are welcome to apply for the MSIS Program. To apply, applicants must have completed an academic program equivalent to that required for a Santa Clara University bachelor’s degree at a university of recognized standing. Certificates from professional or technical programs that are not part of a university degree are not usually considered equivalent. A U.S. based NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) accredited independent evaluation service may be required if degree equivalency is uncertain.

  How can I be exempt from taking the TOEFL or IELTS?

  The TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory for applicants for whom English is not their first language. This requirement may be waived if an applicant:

  • Scores in the 50th percentile or above on the verbal section of the GRE or GMAT.

  What do I need to do to get my F-1 visa?

  When you receive your letter of acceptance (and not before then) you need to complete all necessary I20 documents including I20 request form, Affidavit of Support and financial documents verifying funds to cover tuition and expenses for the first year of the MSIS Program. These documents will be processed by the International Students Services Department and an I20 will be issued to the applicant. For more information in regards to what is needed for F-1 visa, please visit www.scu.edu/ISS.