At Ivey, we pride ourselves on having one of the most rigorous and thoughtful admissions processes of any business school. We work hard to ensure that applications are reviewed and processed with care, due diligence and efficiency. Here, you’ll find all the information you need to begin the application process.
Applicants
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for tomorrow's leaders; people with exceptional talent and ambition to succeed in areas they are passionate about. These candidates represent a diverse group of backgrounds and experiences - culturally, professionally and personally. Building on your track record of accomplishments and leadership success, you have strong career aspirations and are looking for a dynamic and challenging MBA experience.The Critical Elements
- Leadership: From career success and promotion, to volunteer work and community initiatives, or other interests like athletics or the arts – we are looking for candidates who have demonstrated strong leadership orientation in previous experience, and can bring that into the Ivey classroom.
- Strong Academic Record: The Ivey program and case method require you to be highly analytical, and comfortable solving problems and making decisions with ambiguity or incomplete information. A strong academic history with a “B” average and solid GMAT score (min. 600) help to demonstrate these skills.
- Quality Work Experience: At least two years, full-time work experience ensures that you and your classmates will have experiences to contribute to team and class discussions, along with the context and maturity to apply this learning in a professional setting.
Supporting Documentation
- Transcripts* from all post-secondary studies (one certified, official copy)**
- GMAT score (Designate Ivey with code CMB-MG-18)
- Résumé demonstrating a minimum of two years, full-time work experience
- TOEFL score (if required for ESL applicants)
- Two to three reference letters
- Online application including completion of three required essay questions
- Application fee of $150 CAD
*For University of Western Ontario Graduates(UWO), Ivey's Admissions office will contact UWO directly to obtain transcripts, so you are not required to order them.
**Notarized transcripts will be accepted only if accompanied by an official letter from the University stating that they were unable to issue official transcripts.
Application Review
The application review process begins once we have received all application components. Candidates will be contacted if any information is missing, so it is not necessary to contact us to confirm that all documents have been received. Files are then reviewed for interview consideration.
Interviews
Within approximately two weeks of receiving all application components, a candidate may receive an invitation to interview. Ivey conducts interviews by invitation only and all admitted candidates are interviewed at least once.
Offers, Scholarships & Awards
The scholarship and financial aid consideration occurs simultaneously with the admissions process. Candidates are notified about funding when admissions offers are made. Admissions decisions will be made no later than the dates outlined on our admissions deadline chart (see Deadlines tab).
We encourage you to keep the following timelines in mind when planning to submit your application. We process applications as they are received, and suggest submitting as early as possible to avoid deadline peaks.
2013 Admission
| Application Round* | Deadline | Decision Date |
|---|---|---|
| Early Application Submission | May 7, 2012 | June 29, 2012 |
| Round 1 | August 13, 2012 | October 15, 2012 |
| Round 2 | October 1, 2012 | December 14, 2012 |
| Round 3 | November 19, 2012 | January 18, 2013 |
| Final Deadline | January 7, 2013 | February 15, 2013 |
*Applications for 2013 will open on March 6, 2012.
Ivey's Preparatory Knowledge Program (PKP) will run from March 4th to March 28th, 2013. MBA Programming for the Spring 2013 intake will begin on April 2nd, 2013.*
*Dates tentative and subject to change.
When To Apply
The Admissions Committee recommends that international candidates apply no later than the Round Two deadline to allow for sufficient time for study permit/ student visa processing. For more information on applying to Ivey as an international candidate, please visit our International Candidates page.
Language Requirements
Beyond other mandatory components, international applicants also need to demonstrate a strong level of English proficiency. Post-secondary education at an English-speaking institution, or, significant work experience in an English-speaking environment, are both recognized by Ivey. Alternatively, candidates must successfully complete an English language proficiency test. Ivey accepts:
- TOEFL (minimum internet-based score of 100)
- IELTS (minimum score of 6)
- MELAB (minimum score of 85)
- PTE (minimum score of 70)
Further detail on these tests is available from the British Council and English Language Institute.
Supporting Documentation
International applicants who are successfully admitted to Ivey will be required to submit one copy of their original diploma, and to present this document when they arrive. Two official certified transcripts from each foreign institution with English translations are also required.
Re-Application
Applicants who have been denied admission to the Ivey MBA Program must wait at least one year before re-applying. Re-applicants should focus on how they have improved their application. Re-applicants do not have a relative advantage, or disadvantage, compared with other candidates.
Waitlist
Students on the waitlist will be contacted if we obtain a vacancy in the Program prior to the start of classes. Students on the waitlist are not guaranteed a spot in the Program and may be required to re-apply.
Deferral Requests
Requests to defer an offer of admission will be considered at the discretion of the Admissions Committee and is not guaranteed. Deferral requests must be considered by the following date:
- January 18, 2013 for 2013 Admission
If granted, a deferral is valid for one year, and a deposit payment of $5000 CAD is required to secure a seat in the Program. Please note that tuition is subject to change and the candidate will be billed for the appropriate tuition increase, if applicable. It is not possible to defer scholarship funding.
