Graduate Admission
Success in one of W&M’s nationally ranked graduate or professional programs depends on individual drive, sharp academic skills and a proven passion for the subject. The admission process is no different. If you’re thinking about applying to a department in Arts & Sciences, for example, read the information on the department’s website and identify professors who are working in the field you want to study.
The same is true of admission requirements. Check each program’s website to learn exactly what needs to be handed in and when. Some programs have online applications, while some need to be downloaded and mailed in. There are different standardized test requirements for different degree programs. Don’t drive yourself crazy taking the GMAT if all you really need is the LSAT or GRE.
Most applications require two or three letters of recommendation and some sort of standardized test, so we recommend you get started early. The first step is to check out the following links for detailed application instructions and requirements:
Arts & Sciences Graduate Studies & Research
In addition to the requirements for all applicants to graduate programs in Arts and Sciences, found on the Admission to Graduate Study page, international applicants are required to submit additional information in support of their application. These additional requirements, along with supporting information, are detailed below.
Official transcripts:
When applying for graduate study, it is standard practice in the United States to have the Registrar at the institution(s) you attended submit official transcripts or marks statements and degree certificates directly to the institution to which you are applying. The institution(s) will handle this either by mail or electronically. This is the preferred way to submit transcripts. See instructions for Official Transcripts on the Admission to Graduate Study page.
International transcripts that are not in English must be accompanied by certified, literal English translations. Instructions on how to interpret the transcript and an explanation of the grading system must also be provided.
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores:
If English is not your first language, your TOEFL or IELTS scores are required and must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service or the International English Language Testing System to the graduate program to which you are applying. Be sure to use the correct mailing address for the program found on the Contact Graduate Programs page to ensure that your scores are received.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid only for two years after the test date; only scores sent directly by either ETS or IELTS are accepted.
William & Mary's Mason School of Business
Mason's admission requirements and procedures vary by program. Choose the program that best meets your needs to find out more:
Full-Time MBA Admissions
To be considered for admission, the following elements are required:
Online Application Form
GMAT/GRE Score
Academic Transcripts
Recommendations
Essays
Work Experience
Interview
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (International Applicants Only)
Academic Credentials
International applicants must have successfully completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree to be eligible for admission to the William & Mary MBA Program. You must submit copies of both your academic record and the diploma or other document indicating the date and conferral of your degree. If the original language of the academic record and diploma is not English, a certified English translation must accompany the original document.
Please note that you may be required to submit your official academic records to an independent credential evaluator, if necessary.
Other Asian countries: A university degree requiring four years of study.
TOEFL/IELTS/PTE
Those applicants who have not completed a degree within the United States or who have not earned a university degree in an English-speaking country (not simply an English-speaking institution), or who have not lived and worked full-time in an English-speaking country for the past two or more years must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
The TOEFL/IELTS/PTE requirement is waived for those candidates who meet both of the following two requirements:
Achieve a GMAT result in the 60th percentile or better in the Verbal section of the exam, and
Achieve a GMAT result of 5.0 or better on the AWA section of the exam.
On average, incoming students score 100 (internet-based), 250 (computer-based), or 600 (paper-based) on the TOEFL and a 6.5 on the IELTS. The TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for 2 years. We consider the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score along with GMAT scores in the verbal and AWA sections, essays and the interview to determine a candidate's language readiness to compete in and contribute to the William & Mary MBA community.
School of Education
In addition to completing an application, please arrange to have the required entrance examination test results sent to the Office of Academic Programs in the School of Education by the appropriate testing agency and arrange to have the required educational documents sent directly to the School of Education by the higher education institutions you have attended. International students who are not native-English speakers are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, as well as GRE scores, to The College of William & Mary, School of Education - Institution Code 5115. If you have graduated from a college or university in the United States, you are not required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, unless you apply as a Native Speaker to the Foreign Language education program. All scores should not be more than 5 years old. Although a minimum score for admission has not been issued, international students who are typically admitted score at least 100 on the internet version of the TOEFL (or comparable score on other versions of the exam) or a 7.0 on the IELTS.
If you are an international student and have been awarded the baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent) from any institution other than a U.S. regionally accredited institution, you must submit official copies of all transcripts from every college or university attended and certified literal translations where needed. These transcripts must show courses, grades received, annual mark sheets, examination sheets, and leaving certificates as they apply in the student’s home country. Official copies must bear the seal of the issuing institution and the actual signature of your college or university registrar.
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will need a student visa to study in the United States. Visas are issued by U.S. embassies and consulates, but you must have proper documentation in order to apply for one. This documentation consists of an I-20.
