Admissions

The graduate admissions committee reviews applications on an individual basis, looking at both quantitative and qualitative aspects of an applicant's academic and professional background. In reviewing applications, the admissions committee assesses an individual's potential for academic success and future professional growth. Committed to the intrinsic worth of each individual, AIC prepares students for life.

Characteristics of a Strong Application

The admissions committee considers a holistic approach of each candidate's application in assessing their potential to successfully complete the program. Candidates should have both the ability and desire to thrive within a demanding and stimulating environment. Qualities sought include: academic preparedness, intellectual curiosity, and communication skills. Factors considered include an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better, GMAT scores, personal goal statement, letters of recommendation, work experience, and ability to contribute to their classmates' learning.

Work Experience

High Performance MBA applicants must have a minimum of five years of full-time, post undergraduate work experience, although most applicants will have more, to qualify for this program. The admissions committee is especially interested in the progression in job responsibilities, professional skills development, and leadership potential. Students are expected to continue their full-time work while in the program, providing opportunities for applied learning and enhancing the quality of student interaction with lessons learned from their various professional experiences.

Undergraduate Achievements and Prerequisite Coursework

All candidates must have completed a baccalaureate degree program at an accredited United States college or university, or its equivalent in another country. In order to meet the rigors and pace of our High Performance MBA program, successful candidates need to have demonstrated a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, students need to have taken one semester of the following foundation courses to satisfy the MBA program's prerequisites:

• Statistics
• Economics
• Finance
• Accounting
• Marketing

These foundation courses are required to ensure students have the appropriate educational background for this accelerated program. If you have earned an undergraduate business degree and received a "B" or better in these foundation courses, you are exempt from taking these foundation courses, accordingly, and can begin the High Performance MBA program of study.

Please note: Non-business majors may apply to the program and take the MBA Boot Camp Course to satisfy the foundation course pre-requisite for the program.

Application Process

The MBA program practices "rolling admissions" where admission applications are received throughout the year and up to two weeks prior to the start of orientation weekend for each cohort. Decisions are rendered within two weeks once we are in receipt of the completed application.

Candidates will be reviewed for admission based on the strength of their ability for graduate study and the receipt of the following documentation:

• Completion of AIC's online Graduate Admission Application and $50 application fee
• A one-page personal goal statement highlighting your desire to pursue this degree and its benefits to you, both personally and professionally
• Two letters of recommendation: professional and/or academic
• Official transcript(s) of all previous college/university academic work
• Current resume
• Official GMAT scores
• Official TOEFL scores. Students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency through acceptable TOEFL scores. The TOEFL score is valid for two years from the exam date. Applicants will be granted an automatic TOEFL waiver if they have earned an undergraduate degree in a country whose official language is English

All admissions materials must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please send to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield, MA 01109

AIC MBA Program: GMAT / GRE Guidelines

AIC accepts the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores from ETS. Test scores are an important component of each application; therefore, candidates should address this application component aggressively. GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years. Candidates are encouraged to test early in their MBA application process so that if they do not perform as well as they would like, they have the ability to retake the exam prior to any deadlines.

The AIC GMAT code is 9FH-XT-79MBA

Applications are not considered complete - and will not be evaluated for a final decision - until official test scores have arrived at AIC. Candidates may take the test as often as they wish as the admissions committee will only consider the highest score. The admissions committee recommends that candidates go ahead and submit the online application even if they have not taken either test; they can take the test on a later date. This enables applicants to get into our system so that we may contact them with admissions updates.

AIC MBA Program: GMAT Waiver Guidelines

AIC's High Performance MBA program requires the GMAT as part of the application process. However, the admissions committee will consider an applicant's petition for a waiver of the GMAT/GRE requirement in exceptional cases where a candidate can document advanced academic credentials combined with a substantial history of professional achievement. A candidate is exempt from the GMAT/GRE if they have achieved the following:

• master's degree;
• professional degree, i.e., JD, MD;
• CPA; or five (5) years of professional experience and an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better

AIC High Performance MBA Program: Petition for GMAT Waiver Process

If a candidate does not meet the above referenced waiver criteria, they may petition the admissions committee for waiver consideration. No petition will be considered without ALL of the following information:

• Aside from the one-page personal statement, please provide a one-page written document stating the reasons why the candidate's petition should be granted. This statement should mention the relevant points in the candidate's academic and professional background and must be submitted to AIC's Office of Graduate Admissions as part of the application documentation
• A current resume highlighting specific job responsibilities for each position held by the candidate subsequent to college graduation
• Academic transcripts for all earned degrees
• Any other information the candidate believes will assist the admissions committee consideration. GMAT waivers are NOT granted to all candidates who request them. Each petition is considered on its individual merits. For questions about this policy please contact us at 413.205.3700

Transfer Credit

In special cases, a student may petition to be awarded up to 9 credits of transfer credit for recent, graduate-level work completed at an accredited college or university. All credits must be relevant to the MBA program, equivalent to AIC's course description, and not previously applied to another degree program.