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Applying to the Kogod School of Business
The following application guide applies to the Kogod campus-based degree granting programs. If you are
interested in our Online MBA or Online Analytics program, please call 855-572-2800 or email
admissions@onlinebusiness.american.edu for more information.
The application for admission to a Kogod Graduate degree program is available online only. To begin the
application process, please create an account along with a username and password and enter your
personalized information. These credentials will provide access to your online application along with a
personalized information page throughout the admissions process.
As you complete your application, we recommend saving changes on each page as you work. Once you
submit your application, your responses will remain final, but you can still access your personalized
information page to check on missing items. If you have any trouble submitting the application, please
contact us at kogodgrad@american.edu.
Table of Contents
• Deadlines
• Application Requirements
o Resume
o Essay
o Letters of Recommendation
o Transcripts
o GMAT/GRE
o English Proficiency
o Interviews
o Application Fees
o Visa Request Information
• AU Combined Bachelors/Masters Applicant Information
• Dual Degree Admission
Personalized Information Page
A personalized information page will be created for you upon completion of the online interest form or
upon initiation of your application for admission. We encourage you to use this page to learn more
about your program of interest, register for events, supplemental items, and to actively manage the
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status of your application materials. Updates will be made to your supplemental items check list upon
receipt, so it is the most reliable and efficient way to confirm the status of your application.
Deadlines & Decision Timeline
To ensure that your application receives full consideration, your completed application, as well as all
required documents and official test scores should be on file in the Kogod Graduate Admissions Office
by the application submission dates outlined below.
When a decision is made, you will receive an email notifying you that a decision is available. Your
decision letter will be available through your personalized information page.
MBA DEADLINES
Admission to all MBA programs (Full-time & Dual degrees) is offered for the Fall term only.
International applicants and those who wish to be considered with priority for scholarship are
encouraged to apply during Rounds 1 and 2.
Students applying directly from undergraduate programs with no prior full-time work experience are not
eligible for consideration for the MBA program. Internship experience is not considered to be equivalent
to full-time professional work experience.
Fall 2017
MBA admissions decisions are made within rounds as detailed:
MBA Round
Application Submission
Round 1
November 15
Round 2*
February 1
Round 3
May 1
*International applicant and priority scholarship consideration deadline
If your application is not completed, which means the application form and all required supplemental
items have not been received, by the application submission date during the round you wish to be
considered, your application may be moved to the next round for consideration. You will be notified by
email should this apply to you.
Applications received after the May 1, 2017 deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications
for both MS and MBA programs should be submitted no later than July 1, 2017.
MS DEADLINES
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Application deadlines for current AU undergraduate students are different from the regular MS
Deadlines and can be found in the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Application section on page 9.
Fall and Spring Admissions
MS Accounting
MS Taxation
Fall Admissions ONLY
MS Analytics
MS Finance
MS Marketing
MS Real Estate
MS Sustainability
Decisions on all MS program applications are made on a rolling basis. Applicants can check the status of
supplemental documents in the Personalized Information Page. Once an applicant receives email
confirmation that their application is complete, they can expect an update or admissions decision within
fifteen business days from the time of the email confirming your application has been completed is
received.
MS APPLICATION DEADLINES
Deadlines to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Fall 2017 Semester
International Applicant Deadline & Scholarship
Priority Deadline
Final Scholarship Consideration
Final Domestic Applicant Deadline
Deadline to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Spring 2018 Semester
International Applicant Deadline & Scholarship
Priority Deadline
Final Scholarship Consideration
Final Domestic Applicant Deadline
CERTIFICATE DEADLINES (There are no scholarships available for Certificates)
Please note: Scholarships are not available for Certificate applicants and we do not issue student visas
for Certificate applicants.
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Deadlines to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Fall 2017 Semester
International Applicant Deadline
Final Domestic Applicant Deadline
Deadline to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Spring 2018 Semester
International Applicant Deadline
Final Domestic Applicant Deadline
Application Requirements
Eligibility
Full-time work experience is not required to apply to the MS programs. Applicants are not required to
have completed an undergraduate degree in a field related to the MS program. Additionally, applicants
currently in an undergraduate program are eligible to apply, though your undergraduate degree must be
conferred prior to matriculation to the Kogod graduate program. Some programs may include pre-
requisite courses that should be completed prior to application, or in some cases, may be completed
during the first semester of MS enrollment at Kogod. Please review individual program requirements
under the Graduate Programs section of this website prior to application.
Resume
A current copy of your resume is required and must be uploaded in the supplemental items section of
the online application. Resumes may be longer than one page long.
Personal Statement
A personal statement is required for all graduate programs including certificate programs and must be
uploaded in the supplemental items section of the online application. The prompt for the personal
statement is: What are your short-term and long-term goals, and how do they relate to your pursuit of
graduate education at the Kogod School of Business? We suggest a length of approximately 500 words.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required.
MBA applicants should submit professional recommendations, and when possible, should include the
recommendation of an immediate supervisor.
MS applicants may submit academic and/or professional recommendations.
Certificate applicants are not required to submit recommendations
Recommendations should be coordinated electronically if possible. Once you have submitted the
application form you will add your recommender information in the Supplemental Items section,
available on your personalized information page. Once a recommender has been added, the system will
notify your recommender. They can complete the entire recommendation online. Once the
recommendation has been received an email notification will be sent to you confirming receipt.
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If your recommender cannot complete an electronic form, they can send their recommendation in a
signed, sealed envelope directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. Please have the recommender mail
the documents to:
Via US Mail(USPS)
Kogod Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081
Courier Address/Overnight: (FEDEX/UPS/DHL, etc)
Kogod Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW
STE B1
Washington, DC 20016-8081
USA
Alternatively, your recommender can submit their letter by email to
graduateadmissionsdocuments@american.edu with the subject line ‘Kogod Recommendation Enclosed
– APPLICANT NAME’.
Transcripts
Transcripts detailing your academic history and record must be provided for all undergraduate and/or
graduate institutions attended. Transcripts for courses taken as part of a study abroad program (if listed
on your undergraduate transcript) or for courses completed for professional development purposes do
not require separate submission.
There are two options for transcript submission:
1. You may upload unofficial copies of your transcript(s) directly to the supplemental items section
of the application. The unofficial document(s) can be used by the Admissions Committee to
render a decision on your application. If you are admitted to the program, you will be notified
that official transcripts are required prior to matriculation.
2. You may request for official transcripts to be sent to Kogod from your prior institution(s) prior to
application review. Official transcripts sent directly from your prior institution may be submitted
electronically or via mail.
Electronic submissions should be sent to Kogod Graduate Admissions
at graduateadmissionsdocuments@american.edu. Paper submissions should be mailed to
Kogod Graduate Admissions at the following mailing address:
Via US Mail (USPS)
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Kogod Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016-8081
Via Courier Service (FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc)
Kogod Graduate Admissions
Office of Enrollment
3201 New Mexico Avenue NW
STE B1
Washington, DC 20016-8081
Additional Information for Current American University Students and Alumni
Official copies of your transcript must be requested directly from the Office of the Registrar Student
Record Services. We are not able to secure this document for you so please be sure to review the
instructions online detailing how to request your official transcript.
Additional Information for All Current Undergraduate Students
If you are applying for admission prior to graduating from an undergraduate program, you will be
required to submit an official copy of your transcript upon completion of the program in order to
confirm degree conferral prior to matriculation of your graduate program.
GMAT/GRE Scores
For all Kogod Graduate Programs (with the exception of MS Finance) all applicants to the Kogod School
of Business are encouraged to submit an official GMAT or GRE score as part of their application.
Applicants to the MS Finance program are required to submit an official GMAT or GRE score, unless they
meet the waiver criteria outlined below.
MS Finance GMAT/GRE Waiver Criteria
An applicant must meet one (1) of the conditions below to apply for a waiver
• A minimum of three years of work experience in the finance industry or,
• Successful completion of the CFA Level 1 or,
• An undergraduate business degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an AACSB
accredited business school or,
• A graduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an AACSB accredited business
school
To apply for a GMAT/GRE waiver, please complete the MS Finance GMAT/GRE Waiver Application form
and follow the instructions on the form. Completed forms should be submitted to
KogodGrad@american.edu along with all supporting documents.
SUBMITTING YOUR GRE/GMAT SCORE
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Kogod GMAT score report codes:
Full-time MBA (RN4-J4-01)
MS in Accounting (RN4-J4-62)
MS in Analytics (Campus Program) (RN4-J4-07)
MS in Finance (RN4-J4-21)
MS in Marketing (RN4-J4-05)
MS in Real Estate (RN4-J4-94)
MS in Sustainability Management (RN4-J4-26)
MS in Taxation (RN4-J4-28)
Kogod GRE score report code:
All Programs (5007)
***Please notify the Kogod Graduate Admissions department by emailing us at
kogodgrad@american.edu if you are using a different email address with your test scores than the
email that you used to create your application. This will expedite the matching process and the time
needed to review your application.***
GMAT/GRE Supplemental Essay:
If you have not taken, nor plan to take the GMAT or GRE you may submit a Supplemental Essay in lieu of
submitting a test score. The supplemental option is available in the application in the Standardized Test
section. The prompt for the supplemental essay is:
Your manager has asked your team to come up with a more effective way to highlight product features
for the customer. Your team determines that your idea, a mobile optimized site comparing product
features, would be beneficial and easily accessible for the customer and is the right idea to take to your
manager. However, Dan, a team member, is reluctant to accept the idea in team meetings. When you
present the idea on behalf of your team to your manager, halfway through the presentation Dan says, ‘I
don’t think this will work since customers don’t use our mobile app anyway. How useful can the site
even be if they don’t shop on their phones?’ Your manager and team turns to you and waits for your
response.
In 500 words or less tell us how would you respond to Dan and why you would choose that response?
English Proficiency Tests
International applicants whose native language is not English (and who do not meet the requirements
listed below) are required to demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of the TOEFL
or the IELTS. TOEFL test takers should send their scores to code 5007 and must score 100 or better on
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the internet-based test. IELTS test takers should have their official scores sent to “American University-
Kogod School of Business” and must score a 7.0 or better. If an applicant fails to meet the minimum
score they may be considered for American University’s Masters Accelerator Program.
Waiver of the English language proficiency test requirement is permitted if:
• An applicant has completed three or more years of undergraduate study in the United States,
the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland, and has earned a bachelor’s
degree. Joint “2+2” programs do not meet this standard
• An applicant has completed two or more years of graduate study in the United States, the
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Ireland, and has earned a graduate degree.
Interviews
Interviews are required for admission to the Full-time MBA, MS Analytics, and MS Marketing programs.
Evaluative interviews are reserved for candidates whose applications have passed the initial screening
phase of the application process and are offered by invitation only. Candidates who are selected for an
interview will be contacted to schedule an interview date and time. Applicants are encouraged to
conduct their interviews in person; however, we understand this may not be possible for all applicants.
Applicants who reside outside the DC Metropolitan area or abroad will be interviewed by Skype, or in
some cases, provided with the alternative to interview by phone.
Application Fee
A non-refundable fee of 100 USD is required. Applications without fees will not be processed. Fees can
be paid online upon submission of the application form. Application fee waivers are offered to:
• Active duty members or veterans of the US military
• Active or returned Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America Volunteers
• City Year corps members, staff, and alumni
• AU Alumni
• American University employees
• Dual-degree applicants who have already paid an application fee to SIS or WCL
Information for International Applicants
International students admitted to a graduate degree program and needing a visa to study at American
University will be required to complete and submit the CFIS Form or Immigration Transfer Form along
with documentation of financial support. Submission of this documentation is not required to be
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considered for admission; however, admitted students planning to enroll will need to submit the
documentation in order to initiate the issuance of the I-20.
Additional information about the Immigration process, including required documentation, is available
online through American University's Office of International Student and Scholar Services.
Information for American University Combined Bachelors/Masters
Applicants
Current American University undergraduate students, including those not part of the Kogod School of
Business, have the option to apply for admission to MS programs at the Kogod School of Business as
combined bachelors/masters (BS/MS) applicants while still enrolled in their undergraduate program.
Applicants are recommended to have already completed 75 undergraduate credit hours at the time of
application.
Student interested in the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program should complete their application
during the academic semester prior to the semester they would like to take 600-level graduate courses.
Students must be admitted and submit the enrollment deposit before they will be allowed to register
for 600-level courses.
The application deadlines to be considered for the Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs at Kogod
are different from the regular MS deadlines. Please find the Combined Bachelor’s Master’s Program
application deadlines below.
Deadlines to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Fall Semester
Application Submitted by
June 1
Application Completed by
July 1
Deadline to be Eligible to Take Courses during the Spring Semester
Application Submitted by
November 15
Application Completed by
December 1
Students interested in admission to a Kogod School of Business MS program as a combined
Bachelors/Masters applicant must:
1. First meet with a Kogod undergraduate academic advisor to confirm that their degree plan is
designed to best accommodate the Bachelors/Masters option, if admitted. Please make an
appointment online or call 202-885-1914 to schedule a Combined Bachelors/Masters advising
appointment.
2. Next meet with a Kogod graduate advisor to confirm which courses are eligible for sharing. Print
off the KSB Combined Bachelors/Masters Confirmation Form and bring to the meeting. Please
make an appointment online.
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3. Complete the full Kogod graduate application process, including submission of all official
supplemental application materials according to Combined Bachelors/Masters deadlines
outlined above. Please be sure to select the BS/MS program option from the list of Academic
Programs. They are towards the bottom of the list. (Example: BS/MS in Accounting instead of
MS in Accounting).
Additional Information for Dual Degree Admission
Kogod offers dual degree programs with the School of International Service and the Washington College
of Law. Candidates seeking admission to a dual degree program must receive admission from each of
the degree programs separately. The Admissions Committees from each school do not collaborate on
the decision-making process. Further instructions regarding the timing and submission of application
materials for all Kogod dual degree programs is provided below.
MA/MBA with School of International Service
Applicants to the MA/MBA program should complete the Kogod and SIS online application forms, but
may choose to submit the remainder of the application supplemental materials to either Kogod or SIS.
The school to which you submit your full application materials will forward them to the other school for
their review and consideration. You should consult with each school separately to ensure transport of
application materials. Please email kogodgrad@american.edu if you have any concerns regarding
receipt of your documents. While applicants are not required to submit a resume, or letters of
recommendation, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an additional personal statement that
speaks directly to the interest in the MA/MBA program if the initial personal statement does not address
the dual degree program.
New Applicants to American University
Applicants considering the MA/MBA are encouraged to apply to both programs during the same
application term. If admitted to both programs for the same term of study, students are encouraged to
spend their first year in the MBA program, completing the MBA core curriculum. During the second and
third year of dual degree study, students will take courses at both Kogod and SIS and should be in touch
with their academic advisors in both schools prior to registration to ensure that all unique degree
requirements are being fulfilled.
Current Degree-Seeking SIS Graduate Students
Students currently enrolled in the MA program should apply for admission to the Full-time MBA
program during their first or second semester of study in the MA program. Applicants are encouraged
to meet with a Kogod Academic Advisor prior to submitting their MBA application to confirm feasibility
of dual degree study.
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JD/MBA with Washington College of Law
New Applicants to American University
Applicants considering the JD/MBA are encouraged to apply to both programs during the same
application term. Applicants to the JD/MBA program must first receive admission from WCL before
being considered for admission to Kogod. After admission or upon enrollment at WCL, applicants should
complete the Kogod online application form and then request that WCL forward their remaining
application materials to Kogod for review and consideration.
Candidates admitted to Kogod should plan to complete the MBA immersion year following their 1L or 2L
year in law school; students must complete their MBA immersion year prior to the beginning of their 3L
year. You will be asked to indicate the term in which you intend to begin your MBA immersion year in
the Kogod online application.
Current Degree-Seeking JD Students
Students currently enrolled in the JD program are encouraged to apply for admission to the Full-time
MBA program during the first year of study in the JD program and must apply no later than the end of
their second year of study in the JD program. Students beginning their third year of study in the JD
program are not eligible to apply for admission to the JD/MBA as the MBA immersion year must be
completed prior to the 3L year in law school.
If you are currently in your 1L year, your intended term for MBA immersion may be consistent with your
term of application or may be for the following year. If you are currently in your 2L year, your intended
term for MBA immersion will be consistent with your term of application.
LLM/MBA with Washington College of Law
Applicants considering the LLM/MBA must apply to both programs during the same application term.
Applicants to the LLM/MBA program must first receive admission from WCL before being considered for
admission to Kogod. After admission to WCL, applicants should complete the Kogod online application
form and then request that WCL forward their remaining application materials to Kogod for review and
consideration, including TOEFL or IELTS scores.
The MBA program only begins in the fall semester, therefore, applicants admitted to the LLM program
for the fall term must begin their studies at Kogod, if admitted to the MBA program. Applicants admitted
to the LLM program for the spring term will complete their first semester of studies at WCL before
completing a one year MBA immersion at Kogod, if admitted to the MBA program.
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Re-Applying
Applicants re-applying to Kogod must submit:
1. New application form
2. Application fee
3. Updated resume
4. Personal statement
We also encourage you to submit any additional information you would like to have considered. If you
completed a full application within the last two years, the transcripts, letters of recommendation and
test scores you submitted may be transferred to your new application. Applications for re-admission are
subject to current admissions standards; even if you were previously offered admission, subsequent
offers of admission are not guaranteed. Applicants who were denied admission are not eligible for
readmission during the same application term but may reapply during the next available term of
enrollment.
Deferrals
Admitted students may be granted a deferral to the next term of enrollment upon request. Requests for
deferral must be made in writing to the Kogod Admissions Office by emailing kogodgrad@american.edu
Deferrals are offered at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, and are not guaranteed. Deferring
students will be required to submit the enrollment deposit to confirm their place in the following
enrolling class.
Contact info
Email: KogodGrad@american.edu
Call: 202-885-1913
Chat with Graduate Admissions 9am – 5pm M-F:
http://www.american.edu/kogod/admissions/application_guide.cfm