How to apply: Full-Time MBA Application Requirements

Official transcripts from all U.S. schools must be sent electronically. All U.S. transcripts must be from an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. Please visit your school’s website to request an official transcript be sent electronically to carey.admissions.transcripts@jhu.edu.

We require transcripts from all institutions where you have attempted more than 15 credits. Final transcripts must show the degrees you have earned. Your admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. If your transcripts are from a non-U.S. school, please review the "additional requirements for the non-U.S. applicants" section below for information about the required course-by-course credential evaluation process.

If your school does not participate in an electronic transcript submission system, please send official sealed transcripts to the address below:

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Office of Admissions
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202

We require a resume or a CV. Please be sure to have your resume or CV fully updated, with both the months and years of your various work and/or internship experiences included. Your resume should be no more than two pages in length.

Applicants must submit a total of two required essays. The first essay topic is required for all applicants and must be responded to directly. You will choose your second essay topic from the list provided on the application. It is important to express your original thoughts and incorporate your individual voice in response to these questions. We do not accept Statements of Purpose or essays on topics from other applications.

Be sure your essays capture who you are, what you believe, and what you aspire to do. In addition:

• Use a 12-point font and double-space your document
• Indicate which question you are answering at the beginning of each essay
• Do not mail paper copies of your essay to the Admissions office
• Upload all required essays
• Essays should be 300-500 words

Separate from the essay, you will have the optional opportunity to provide any additional clarifying information that you wish to share with the Admissions committee regarding your academic record, personal history, or professional attributes.

Who should write your professional recommendation? We suggest asking someone who knows you professionally and who can speak directly about your strengths and experience. A current or former supervisor who can comment on your growth, your potential, and your contributions to your position/team is generally best. Do not focus on the person in your company at the highest level. Whomever you choose, it is recommended that you share your interest in earning an MBA and why you are applying to this program with your recommender so that they are best positioned to write on your behalf. Academic recommendations are not generally as helpful, especially when only one recommendation is provided.

Please use your recommender’s work email address rather than a personal account like Gmail, which will be more closely monitored in our credential verification process. Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged. One recommendation is required. We will read up to two.

A GMAT or GRE score is required with available GMAT/GRE waivers – often referred to as an MBA waiver –  for select, qualified candidates. If you are interested in a GMAT/GRE waiver for your Johns Hopkins Carey Business School MBA application, please visit this page for more information. 

We accept scores from both the GMAT and the GRE that are up to five years old and do not have a preference for either test. Be sure to do your research on which exam is best for you. Have your scores sent directly to Carey Business School.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Codes:

• GMAT - KGB-B0-98
• GRE – 0834

For more information, use the links below.

• Information on registering and sending GMAT scores
• Information on registering and sending GRE scores

For JD/MBA applicants: submit your LSAT score in lieu of the GMAT or GRE.

READ: Does using the GMAT/GRE waiver help or hurt my application?

TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores for non-native English speakers

In addition to submitting the materials required for all applicants, international applicants must:

1. Submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or PTE score. We do not accept Duolingo or TOEFL Essentials. You may be exempt, if you meet one of the following criteria:

Please indicate in the “Supporting Materials” section of the application if you meet one of the above qualifications for exemption.

The preferred minimum TOEFL score is 100 on the Internet-based test. Carey uses TOEFL's "MyBest" score. The preferred minimum IELTS score is 7.0 and the preferred PTE score is 70. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years. The TOEFL code for Carey Business School is 0834. IELTS and PTE do not require a code.

Individual programs may require additional evidence to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Course-by-course credential evaluation for transcripts from outside the U.S.

Submit an official course-by-course evaluation for all degrees earned or expected from outside the U.S. The course-by-course evaluation must be provided by an authorized credential evaluation agency and must reflect that the applicant has the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

See the Credential Evaluation Agencies section below for a list of authorized agencies.

Special note for applicants with three-year undergraduate degrees from non-U.S. colleges and universities: In some situations, three-year degrees can be considered equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree. In these cases, applicants can apply to Carey Business School. Before you begin your application and the credential evaluation process, please contact the Admissions Officer for your country for further guidance. Typically, World Education Services is the only credential evaluation agency that will consider three-year degrees as being equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Applicants can preview how their degree might be evaluated by using a free tool at the World Education Services website.

• If coursework was earned outside of the U.S. but the degree was earned in the U.S., only transcripts from all schools are required and must be in English.

Credential evaluation agencies

International credential evaluation requirement

Applicants who hold, or who are currently pursuing, degrees from non-U.S. institutions must have their academic records evaluated by a NACES member agency before they can be considered for admission to a degree/certificate program. The credential evaluation must reflect the applicant has the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Applicants who are currently pursuing a degree from a school outside of the U.S. and will not graduate by the application deadline are required to submit a course-by-course evaluation of completed course work. Students who enroll are required to submit an updated evaluation showing the degree has been conferred.

Why is credential evaluation important?

Credential evaluation is used to assess a student's coursework against the U.S. grading system and to evaluate courses for possible transfer credit. Applicants should make arrangements with a NACES member agency for an evaluation of the degree, an assessment of the overall grade point average, and a course-by-course evaluation. These evaluations must meet the equivalency of a U.S. degree.

Authorized agencies

Because fees and documents required for evaluations may vary by agency, applicants are encouraged to contact the agencies directly for additional information. We authorize evaluations from any NACES member agency. Our applicants most commonly choose one of the following four:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.: https://www.ece.org/
• International Education Research Foundation: https://ierf.org/
• SpanTran: Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
• World Education Services, Inc.: http://wes.org

*Applicants with degrees from Indian institutions should consult with their admissions officer before choosing an agency.

Interviews are granted on an invitation-only basis after the initial evaluation of a submitted application. We look for applicants who are energetic, engaging, and can articulate their stories, and can speak to how Johns Hopkins MBA will position them for what’s next. Answer questions honestly, not with the answer you think the interviewer wants to hear. Do not memorize answers for expected interview questions. Be yourself.

Interviews are offered in-person on our campus and in cities around the world. We work with each candidate individually to schedule. You will hear if you are receiving an invitation to interview within two weeks of the application deadline for your round. If an in-person interview isn’t possible, we will schedule via Zoom.

Quick tips:

• Interviews generally last 30–45 minutes.
• Interviews are conducted in English.
• Dress professionally, as you would for a job interview.
• Bring a one-page resume with you to in-person interviews.
• Test your camera and microphone ahead of time for Zoom interviews
• Arrive on time.

A $100 nonrefundable application fee is due when you submit your online application.