SMBA Application Requirements and Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in the Specialized MBA program at California State University

San Marcos. This packet will guide you through the application process and provide

detailed steps toward admission.

After you apply, your application will be reviewed during the next review period listed on

our website. Additionally, CSUSM will send you an email with instructions to log in and

access your student account to check your application status. Please allow 2-3 weeks for

processing before receiving your admission decision from the MBA oce.

To nalize your admission, all ocial transcripts must be submitted to CSUSM. The

registrar's oce will review the transcripts and conrm their accuracy to the MBA

department. Following this review, the registrar's oce will email you their decision on

your admission to the MBA program.

The nal step to secure your spot in the upcoming cohort is to accept your admission

through your student account. Detailed instructions will be included in the email from the

registrar's oce.

Please use this packet as a guide to begin your application. For additional questions,

please email the MBA oce at [email protected].

Page 1-2 – SMBA Application Requirements

Page 3-4 – Essay Tips for Application

Pages 5-10 – Application Step-by-Step Tutorial

SMBA Application Requirements

The list below includes the supplemental material required for the MBA application. In

addition to this, applicants must submit their official transcripts to the CSUSM registrar

office for validation. Once all official transcripts have been validated. Once the CSUSM

registrar office has validated that the official transcripts are true and correct, they will

approve the MBA admission decision.

1. Application Requirements to be admitted into the MBA Program

a. Start the Application on CSU Apply. Attach the required supplemental

material to the application:

i. Personal Statement Essay

ii. One Letter of Recommendation

iii. Resume

iv. Unofficial Transcripts

2. The preferred method in sending in ocial transcripts to CSUSM is electronically.

This method provides less room for error and the loss of transcript.

a. Electronic transcripts can be sent to tr[email protected]

b. Physical copies can be sent to the address below:

California State University San Marcos

Oce of Admissions

333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road

San Marcos, CA. 92096-0001



Welcome to our MBA Applica�on Tips page! We understand that applying to an MBA program can be

both exci�ng and challenging. To support you in presen�ng your best self, we've compiled a set of �ps

and guidance to help you navigate the applica�on process eﬀec�vely.



Embrace Your Uniqueness:

Our program values diversity and individuality. While we provide op�onal templates for your

convenience, remember that your experiences are unique. Use the templates as a star�ng point, but feel

empowered to showcase what sets you apart.

Oponal Templates:

Explore our op�onal essay template designed to provide structure and clarity. This can serve as helpful

guides to ensure you cover essen�al informa�on. However, keep in mind that these are tools, not strict

rules.

:

• One-page in length, single-spaced.

• Use a 12-point font size.





In your Statement of Purpose, you are expected to provide a comprehensive overview of your

background, career achievements, goals, and your speciﬁc reasons for seeking admission to our

specialized MBA program. This statement should encapsulate both your personal achievements and your

expecta�ons from our program, demonstra�ng a strong alignment between your aspira�ons and what

our MBA program can oﬀer. Please adhere to the following guidelines:

1. 

• Begin by introducing yourself, including your name, current career posi�on, and a brief

overview of your career journey.

2. 

• Share your most signiﬁcant career achievements, emphasizing any major projects or

responsibili�es you have undertaken. Highlight the impact of these achievements on

your professional development.

3. 

• Ar�culate why you are interested in our specialized MBA program. What sets our

program apart, and how does it align with your career goals? Be speciﬁc about what you

ﬁnd appealing in our program.

4. 

• Summarize your career achievements, aspira�ons, and why you are enthusias�c about

our specialized MBA program. Explain how you expect our program to help you achieve

your career objec�ves and address the areas you wish to improve.

CSU Apply SMBA Steps/Instructions

Go to CSU Apply Website:

https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Make sure you click on APPLY for 202

Create username and password then login

3. Complete Your Profile

Returning: choose yes or no

US Military Status

International Applicant

4. Select the program to which you want to apply

Campus: Cal State San Marcos

Start Term: Fall

Source: Extended Education

Select Specialization: Business Analytics, International Business, or Supply Chain

Management

i. You can change your specialization at a later date

6. and start working on the quadrants

7. Quadrant I: Personal Information

Release Statement

Enter remaining Biographic Information

Contact Information

Citizenship/ Residency Information

Race & Ethnicity

Other Information

i. If you have a U.S. Social Security number you are required to include it on

admission application forms to all CSU campuses pursuant to Section

41201, Title 5, Code of California Regulations and Section 6109 of the

Internal Revenue Code.

Financial and parental Information

8. Quadrant II - Academic History

Colleges Attended

i. Press Add a College or University

Press and complete Transcript Entry, (left tab):

i. on the Transcript Entry portion, select:

Submit all official transcripts to:

California State University, San Marcos

Admissions and Recruiting

333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road

San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

Transcripts may also be sent electronically to: transcri[email protected].

Press and complete GPA Entries (left tab)

i. Press Add GPA

ii. Enter your cumulative GPA earned for each of your postsecondary

institutions

iii. If degree is currently in progress or you do not know your GPA, press I

Add Standardized Test Scores

9. Quadrant III: Supporting Information

Experience

i. You are not required to enter any experiences. Press:

Documents

not adding

10. Quadrant IV

Program Materials

Home

i. Instructions and program details

Documents

i. Upload

1. Unofficial Transcripts

2. CV/Resume

3. Personal Statement

Recommendations

Add one recommenders (academic or professional)

You will be asked to provide the following information about your

recommender/evaluator:

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Due Date (All application materials are due by

, but you

can enter an earlier date)

Personal Message/Notes

11. Submit Application

1. Click on the Submit Application tab

2. Submit and pay $70.00 Application Fee

Additional Application Requirements

1. GMAT scores. Request your official score report to be sent directly to CSUSM. The

CSUSM code for the GMAT test is V38-PT-22. If you are sending GRE scores the CSUSM

school code is 4155.

GRE scores can also be mailed to:

California State University, San Marcos

Admission and Recruitment

333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road

San Marcos, CA 92096-0001 USA

2. Official transcripts from each college or university previously attended

Submit official transcripts to:

California State University, San Marcos

Office of Admissions

333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road

San Marcos, CA 92096-0001 USA

Transcripts may also be sent electronically to [email protected].

To inquire on the status of your application contact the MBA office at mb[email protected] or

(760)-750-4267.