Application Process

Fall 2010 MSCF Application Deadlines

Application Complete by:	Decision to applicant on:
October 26, 2009	January 25, 2010
January 04, 2010	April 05, 2010
March 08, 2010	May 24, 2010
April 26, 2010*	June 30, 2010

                          
*The April 26, 2010 deadline is reserved for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, as well as part-time and certificate candidates. International applicants for the Full-time MSCF program must apply by March 8, 2010.  After April 26th, we will continue to accept applications through the summer on a rolling basis for applicants who are U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents or those who are applying to the part-time and certificate programs.

The admissions decision cannot be made until the completed application package has been received and processed by the MSCF Admissions Office. Applicants may be contacted by email to arrange an on-campus interview or virtual face-to-face interview via webcam using video calling software before a final decision is made. Interviews are granted at the discretion of the MSCF Admissions Committee after an initial review of your application. Requests for interviews will not be granted. Interviews can take place at any time in the application process.

All applicants will receive a notice of acceptance or rejection. MSCF routinely conducts an independent verification of all MSCF application credentials.

The Admissions Committee reviewed approximately 630 applications for '08-'09, offering admission to about one applicant for every 7-8 places in the class.

Completed applications must include the following:

• Completed online MSCF application form (available starting in early September 2009)
• Unofficial transcripts of all academic work (Admitted students will be required to submit official transcripts at a later date)
• Resume
• Work history (as detailed in the online application)
• Two required essays (only one is required for certificate applicants)
• Three letters of recommendation (not required for certificate applicants)
• Official GRE from ETS or GMAT scores from Pearson VUE
• TOEFL score from ETS (only for students whose native language is not English
• $100 application fee
• Graduate Student Financial Forms and supporting documents (only for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents)

1. TRANSCRIPTS: Through our online application system, candidates are required to upload legible, scanned/digitized copies of their transcripts and degree certification from all academic institutions attended, even if a degree was not conferred. Transcripts should clearly indicate the name of the institution, student's name, degree earned (if applicable) and date the degree was completed (if applicable). If the original documents are not in English, official translations must be included.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS: At least three Letter of Recommendation forms must be completed by individuals who are able to provide specific and relevant information about your qualifications for MSCF study. If you are currently a full-time student or a recent graduate (within the past three years), please submit at least one recommendation from an academic source. If you have completed more then one year of full-time, post-undergraduate work experience, you should submit at least one evaluation from a supervisor or professional source. If possible, please submit at least one letter of recommendation from an individual who can speak directly to your mathematics and/or quantitative ability. Recommendations from friends, family members, acquaintances and other sources not able to evaluate applicants on an academic or professional basis are unacceptable

All evaluations must be submitted online or in sealed envelopes, signed by the recommender across the seal and sent directly to the MSCF Admissions Office by you or the recommender.

3. GRE/GMAT: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is required of all applicants. Test scores must be forwarded directly to Carnegie Mellon by ETS in the case of the GRE or Pearson VUE in the case of GMAT. If you have not taken either, the GRE is preferred but both will be given equal consideration. Schedule your GRE/GMAT as early as possible to ensure that the official score reaches the MSCF Admissions Office prior to the application deadline for which you are applying. Test scores more then five years old are not accepted. Enclose a copy of your GRE/GMAT score report when you send your application materials to the MSCF Admissions Office. Test scores must be no more than five years old.

- For GRE, use GRE institution code 4883 (Carnegie Mellon Tepper Sch Bus.) and department code 4102 (Finance).
- For GMAT, select Carnegie Mellon University and the Tepper School of Business to have your GMAT sent to us.

PLEASE NOTE: We will expect to receive each test listed in your application. If you list a test score in your application, your application will remain incomplete until we receive all official test scores reported.

If you hold a PhD at the time of application in a related discipline AND you are able to submit a photocopy of the GMAT/GRE that was part of your original PhD application, you may request a waiver of the GMAT/GRE test requirement. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis by our admissions committee. We will NOT accept requests for waivers if your PhD is in progress and has not been conferred AND/OR if you cannot provide a copy of your prior test score. If you meet BOTH of these criteria, you can request a waiver by submitting a completed application including a statement requesting a waiver in the optional essay and mail a photocopy of your previous test score to the MSCF Admissions Office. We will notify you only if you have not been granted the waiver.

4. TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of applicants whose native language is not English. The only exception is for applicants who have earned a degree at a university where the language of instruction is English in which case we ask for documentation from the university of such. You should take the TOEFL no later then January in order to assure prompt delivery of your scores. All official TOEFL scores must be forwarded to Carnegie Mellon by ETS. When registering for the TOEFL, use institution code 2074 and departmental code 02. Photocopied scores will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: We will expect to receive each test listed in your application. If you list a test score in your application, your application will remain incomplete until we receive all official test scores reported.

5. APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable application fee of $100 is required of all applicants. This fee can be paid online using a credit card at the time of submission or by personal check, money order or cashier's check for the exact amount which should be made payable to "Carnegie Mellon University" and sent directly to the MSCF Admissions Office.

7. MAILING ADDRESS: Once you have completed your online application, you can send any supporting documents to the following address:

MSCF Admissions
Tepper School of Business
Carnegie Mellon Univeristy
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

We strongly recommend that you keep copies of all your application materials you submit to Carnegie Mellon for the duration of the application process. However, you DO NOT need to send a copy of any of the application materials that have been submitted online to the MSCF Admissions Office.

8. FINANCIAL FORMS: International applicants who are admitted to the MSCF Program must submit formal bank certification evidencing sufficient resources to complete the program. More information for international students can be obtained through the Office of International Education. Relevant Forms for International Students can be accessed here:

For Pittsburgh Applicants:
Financial Statement (.pdf)
Affidavit of Support (.pdf)
Student Information Form (.pdf)

For New York Applicants:
Financial Statement (.pdf)
Affidavit of Support (.pdf)
Student Information Form (.pdf)