Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Laurier’s MBA
I don’t have a business background. Is the Laurier MBA appropriate for me?
How often does each program begin?
How many people apply to each program?
How many people are accepted into Laurier’s MBA program?
Do I require a laptop?
Can I work while I am studying full-time?
Can I apply to more than one MBA program?
If I have been accepted into the MBA program, can I defer starting?
Once accepted in the MBA program, can I change to another format, e.g. from full-time to part-time or vice-versa?
What is a rolling enrollment? Is it possible for the program to fill before the deadline?
May I include supporting evidence in my application, in addition to the requested material?
Questions about work experience requirements
I have two years of work experience obtained prior to my undergraduate degree. Does this count?
I worked part time all through university and during my summer vacations, does this count at work experience for the MBA Program?
My work experience is entry level. Will this affect my application?
Questions about GPA requirements
Does the GPA required vary from degree to degree?
How is the GPA requirement calculated?
Questions about quantitative knowledge requirements
Questions about reference forms
I have studied at University within the last five years so I need to submit at least one academic reference, however because of various circumstances I am finding this difficult.
I have several recommendation letters, can I use these as my references?
ANSWERS
I don’t have a business background. Is the Laurier MBA appropriate for me?
Laurier MBA attracts students from an array of academic and industry backgrounds, the majority of students have not studied business previously and many have not had management experience. Although it is a masters level program, it does begin at a basic level, assuming that candidates are not from a business background.
How often does each program begin?
Each program begins annually. All Toronto part-time alternate weekend programs start once a year, at the beginning of April each year. The full-time program and the full-time with co-op option in Waterloo begin in mid August, and the part time evening format in Waterloo begins in September each year.
How many people apply to each program?
Approximately 100 students apply to each of the part-time programs, and approximately 300 apply to the full-time programs.
How many people are accepted into Laurier’s MBA program?
Each year 100 students (two classes of 50) begin the part-time alternate weekend program in Toronto. Another 100 students begin the full-time or full time with Co-op program in Waterloo, and 50 students begin the part- time evening format in Waterloo. (Class maximum is 50).
Do I require a laptop?
No, although it can be handy to have one. Students do require access to e-mail, either through their home or office PC, or by taking advantage of Laurier’s student run computer services. Faculty and staff do keep in touch with students about courses and events through e-mail.
Can I work while I am studying full-time?
No, we do not recommend working while pursing the Laurier full-time MBA program. You will want to devote all your attention to your studies. In the second and third semesters, when students are completing electives, it may be possible to become a research assistant; however, it is important to remember that during this time, you are still completing the equivalent of 6 master level subjects, so time is very tight. Our MBA with Co-op candidates will be working for two terms during their fully paid Co-op work terms.
Can I apply to more than one MBA program?
No. It is important to check your choice of program in the appropriate area on the application form. You are most welcome to move your application to one of our other options after you apply. But for the purpose of the application you are allowed to apply to just one format at a time.
If I have been accepted into the MBA program, can I defer starting?
You can request readmission to the MBA Program. You will need to provide us with a letter or email indicating that you do not plan to attend for the current year, and wish to request readmission for a term within one calendar year. If you request readmission before the program begins, a new $100 application fee is required but you do not need to resubmit any application material. The letter requesting readmission is all that is required along with the new $100 application fee. Any confirmation deposit (currently $500) you have made will be retained by the university, and will not be applied towards your tuition in a future year. You will be offered admission to the next year intake and sent a new “Offer of Admission” from the Faculty of Graduate Studies (A NEW CONFIRMATION DEPOSIT ($500) MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR SIGNED OFFER OF ADMISSION).
If you wish to request readmission after the program begins, and you are in good standing at the time of withdrawing, you may request readmission within one year of withdrawal without completing the required application forms or paying any required application fee.
Please consult the Graduate Faculty Calendar for further information regarding the policy on refund of fees.
If you withdraw or fail to register for the term you have been admitted to, and do not request readmission, you must reapply for admission if more than one year has elapsed since your withdrawal date.
Please contact Maria Tamblyn, MBA Program Leader – Toronto, or Dianne Hotson, MBA Program Leader – Waterloo, if you are unable to start your program and need to request readmission to the MBA Program. They will be able to guide you through the process
Once accepted in the MBA program, can I change to another format, e.g. from full-time to part-time or vice-versa?
Yes, you can move between all programs (except Co-op) before beginning the program (i.e. once you have received an offer), or after you have completed the core subjects (the first term of the full-time and the first four terms of the part-time programs). If you would like to move to one of Laurier’s other MBA programs, contact your relevant program leader: Maria Tamblyn, MBA Program Leader – Toronto, or Dianne Hotson, MBA Program Leader – Waterloo.
What is a rolling enrollment? Is it possible for the program to fill before the deadline?
A rolling enrollment allows applicants to apply at any time during the current year. The final deadline is still used as the cut-off date for that particular application period. The program may fill before the deadline date so it is always important to submit an early application. If you are applying after the deadline date we recommend that you call our office for advice. Rolling admission allows students to organize their life well in advance.
May I include supporting evidence in my application, in addition to the requested material?
You are welcome to submit any additional supporting evidence when applying; however, it is important to link the supporting evidence to your application and explain why you have included it.
Questions about work experience requirements
I will have the two (2) year minimum by the time the program begins. Does this meet eligibility requirements?
Yes. The two years of full-time work experience is required by the time you begin your MBA program. You can apply earlier than this providing you have the two year full-time work experience when the program begins.
I have two years of work experience obtained prior to my undergraduate degree. Does this count?
Yes.
I worked part time all through university and during my summer vacations, does this count at work experience for the MBA Program?
No, full time work experience includes university co-op work terms during your university degree, and full time worked you started when you finished your undergraduate degree.
My work experience is entry level. Will this affect my application?
No. Our students are very diverse and come from all walks of life, and it is this diversity that adds to the full class room experience at Laurier. Our applicants must possess at least two year of full time work experience, some will have as much at 20 to 25 years of experience. Our MBA with Co-op applicants are not required to have any work experience, and they may have up to two years of full time work experience and still be eligible for our Co-op format. It is important within the application to show what you intend to do with the knowledge from Laurier’s MBA program, and this is where you can lay out your career path which will put your past work experience in to context.
Questions about GPA requirements
Does the GPA required vary from degree to degree?
The GPA requirement is at least 73% or a B on the applicants last 10 half credits. This requirement is the same for all degrees, irrelevant of which faculty or University they come from. Our MBA with Co-op candidates must present a final GPA of at least 77% or a B+ on the last 10 half university credits.
How is the GPA requirement calculated?
The final grade of each of your last 10 half credits are averaged, which is usually the final year of university if a student studied full-time. If there are more than 10 half credits in these two terms or if there are less and we need to go into another term, we will average a term. This also gives the candidate the opportunity to upgrade and improve their GPA by completing additional university degree credits, which can be used to arrive at a new GPA.
Questions about quantitative knowledge requirements
Do I need the GMAT?
The Laurier MBA Admission Committee requires that all candidates provide a successful GMAT score of 550 or better with their application. A GMAT score of 550 or better is mandatory for all international MBA student candidates. A GMAT score of 600 or better is mandatory for all MBA with Co-op student candidates.
A GMAT waiver could be considered on an individual basis, and is sometimes exempted. This exemption applies only to those students who have met all of the following criteria. (This exemption does not apply to those students who have completed their undergraduate degree outside of Canada or are applying to the MBA with Co-op Option, where the GMAT is mandatory.)
- Applicants who have obtained GPA of 73% or better in their last ten half credits of study, and
- Applicants who have successfully completed either one of Calculus, Statistics or Algebra at the university level and have obtained a course grade of 77% (B+) or better in one of these courses, and
- Applicants who have completed their four year undergraduate degree within the last five years, in Canada.
If you are meeting all of the above criteria then you are in a position to supply that undergraduate quantitative degree course credit as your successful proof of quantitative knowledge in your application. A GMAT waiver may be allowed, by the Laurier Admissions Committee. An applicant must fully apply to the program and request the GMAT waiver. GMAT waivers are not administered prior to the application being received by Laurier.
Questions about reference forms
I have studied at University within the last five years so I need to submit at least one academic reference, however because of various circumstances I am finding this difficult.
An academic reference is required. Even if they don’t know you personally, currently or previously, we suggest that you approach faculty that taught a subject that you did well in and have them complete the reference form using their knowledge of the program compared to your result in the subject. You are then welcome to submit an explanation that the particular reference was completed in this manner. Three professional references could be submitted in these circumstances; however, be sure to highlight which two should be considered as the primary reference.
I have several recommendation letters, can I use these as my references?
No. The three (3) reference forms (that appear as the last three pages in the application), do need to be completed. The forms ask specific questions, so the format is vital. Additional letters can be submitted, if you wish to supplement the three reference forms.