Getting started
See our How to Apply page for links to the online application and deadline information.
We offer a rolling admissions process. This means we review applications and admit students on an ongoing basis until each cohort (August and November) is full. Apply early for the best chance of admission.
- Resume
- For all colleges or universities you’ve attended:
- Name of university
- Your major
- Number of credit hours completed - GPA
- Unofficial transcripts
- Contact info for two recommenders
- Personal statement
- $70 fee
Each program has its own application and admissions process. However, there may be some application materials—like official transcripts—that we can request from other IU departments. Contact us at mbaindy@iu.edu for more information.
No. Our program has no prerequisites. If accepted into the program, you will be required to take an accounting primer (a short, online course in basic accounting principles) after acceptance but before taking your first accounting course. Accepted students who are licensed CPAs may be exempt from taking the primer. Please contact the program office at mbaindy@iu.edu for more information.
The Evening MBA Program requires that 48 of the 54 credit hours be taken in residence at the Kelley School of Business. If you have been enrolled in a previous graduate business program, you may petition to transfer up to 6 hours of credit, provided it meets certain criteria and has the approval of the Evening MBA Program faculty chair.
Work experience minimum
Most applicants need a minimum of 24 months of professional-level work experience in order to apply for admission. Exception: If you’re applying for a dual degree program (such as MD/MBA, DDS/MBA, JD/MBA, etc.), we can waive this requirement. If you’re not sure whether you meet our work experience minimum, please email us your resume at mbaindy@iu.edu. We’re happy to discuss with you.
For most applicants, “professional-level” means work that requires a bachelor’s degree. But if you were a non-traditional college student (in other words, if you took time between high school and college to work full-time), your work experience before college may also be relevant. Military experience may also count towards the work experience minimum. If you’re not sure whether you meet our work experience minimum, please email us your resume at mbaindy@iu.edu. We’re happy to discuss with you.
GMAT and GRE
GMAT and GRE scores are optional.
Both GMAT and GRE scores are valid and reportable for five years.
Yes. We award scholarships for strong GMAT or GRE scores, generally those in the 90th percentile or higher.
The process for submitting official GMAT or GRE scores is currently in transition as IUPUI becomes IU Indianapolis. For now, please email your unofficial score report to the Evening MBA team at mbaindy@iu.edu.
Resume and personal statement
Use any standard resume format. Please include both months and years of all jobs worked. There's no need to limit yourself to the two pages commonly recommended for job hunting.
Please submit a personal statement of approximately 500 words discussing what you do, what your short- and long-term career goals are, and how the Kelley Evening MBA can help you achieve those goals. What unique perspectives and experiences can you bring to classroom discussion? Keep in mind that we have your resume, so use the statement to tell the story of your career journey. Focus on what you bring to the table, where you’re headed, and how the Kelley Evening MBA would help you get there.
Transcripts
- All colleges or universities you’ve attended. This includes colleges or universities:
- Where you attended, but didn’t graduate
- Where you only took a few classes
- Whose classes transferred elsewhere - The only exceptions are Indiana University transcripts. We can access these, so there's no need to submit these. However, when you complete the online application, you’ll be answering questions about your GPA, number of credit hours completed, etc, so you may want to have a copy of your IU transcripts on hand to help you answer these questions.
When you’re applying, it’s fine to submit unofficial transcripts (photocopies or electronic transcripts that you’ve accessed yourself). If you’re admitted to the program, we’ll need official transcripts (which come to us directly from your college or university). If you’re admitted, we’ll contact you to discuss this step. If you prefer, you’re welcome to submit official transcripts while applying.
We've created a video for you that describes transcripts and how to submit them. Visit our How to Apply page to learn more.
Recommendations
No. When you complete the online application, you’ll submit contact information for two recommenders or evaluators. These should be professionals who can speak to your work history and how the Evening MBA will help you in your career. Your recommenders will receive an email asking them to complete an electronic recommendation form. Please notify your recommenders in advance that this email is on the way.
Financial assistance
Yes. You have two options, and you may apply for one or both:
- Scholarships. After fully completing your application for admission, you may apply for an Evening MBA scholarship. Please note that scholarship application deadlines are earlier than the deadlines for applying for admission.
- Financial aid (domestic students only). To apply for financial aid, please contact the IUI Office of Student Financial Services.
International applicants
If you’re a U.S. citizen, permanent resident (green card holder), or refugee, Indiana University classifies you as a domestic applicant for admission. If not, IU probably classifies you as an international applicant, even though you’re already living and working in the United States. International applicants have a few more steps to complete in the admissions process. If this applies to you, we’ll contact you.
It depends on your visa type. We can accept applications from people who hold most types of visas. We cannot accept applications from anyone who holds or requires an F-1 visa (often called a student visa) or a J-1 visa (often called an exchange visa). This is because federal law requires these visa holders to be enrolled in school full time, while the Evening MBA is a part-time degree program.
Yes. Citizenship and residency are different. Residency status is determined by the IUI Office of the Registrar. But in general, regardless of your citizenship, you’re usually considered an Indiana resident if you’ve lived here for 12 months prior to the start of classes and you didn’t move here to attend school. Indiana residents receive discounted Indiana tuition rates.
All applicants, domestic and international, must demonstrate English proficiency to be admitted to an IU Indianapolis graduate program. If you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. university, you’ve met the proficiency requirement. If not, we’ll contact you to discuss your options for demonstrating English proficiency.
Admissions decisions & timeline
We take a holistic approach to admissions by considering all of your credentials collectively as we evaluate your likelihood to succeed in the Evening MBA Program. Because we’re an MBA for working professionals, your work experience is the most important admissions criterion. (Dual degree students currently enrolled in another IU graduate or professional program may be evaluated primarily on performance in their current degree program.)
No.
$70.
Once we have all of your materials, we review your application and contact you with next steps—usually within a few days. Some candidates will be invited to an admissions interview. All admissions decisions are made by the Evening MBA Admissions Committee. We use a rolling admissions process—reviewing applications as they come in—which means that once all steps are completed, we can often provide an admissions decision within a week.
Congratulations! If you’re admitted, a $500 deposit is required in order to hold your spot in the program. There’s also some paperwork to complete before new student orientation begins. We’ll walk you through this process after you pay your deposit.
Veterans and military personnel
The Evening MBA Program is proud to have many vets and active duty service members among our students and alumni. Your first stop should be the IUI Office for Veterans and Military Personnel. The staff in that office can expertly address your unique situation. Our program is eligible for many types of military funding, depending on your situation. Please be aware that the Evening MBA Program is a hybrid online and in-person program that requires weekly classes on campus in Indianapolis.
Additional help
For Evening MBA questions, contact the Program Office at mbaindy@iu.edu.
For technical assistance with the online application, contact customer support.