International Students
Welcome to the International Students information page, where you will find the information you need about the School of Management (SOM), its programs and its services. We believe the SOM is an ideal place for your management education as a woman in the U.S. From its personalized to service to its safe environment, Simmons SOM can provide you with the academics and the atmosphere to reach your career goals. If you have any questions, we invite you to contact:
Dr. Vipin Gupta
Roslyn Solomon Jaffe Chair Professor in Strategy
School of Management, Simmons College
300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115-5898
T: 617-521-2409 | F: 617-521-3138
Email: vipin.gupta@simmons.edu
Overview of the MBA Program
What is the one-year MBA Program?
The one-year MBA is an accelerated program designed for women wishing to pursue their MBA on a full-time basis. The program is intended to help women gain and negotiate management and leadership positions in the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors. A special emphasis is put on helping women hone their entrepreneurial skills, identities, and networks – whether as part of new ventures, corporate, nonprofit, or family business settings.
Are concentrations available in the one-year MBA program?
The one-year MBA program has an integrated and broad-based interdisciplinary MBA curriculum. It is designed to give the students a complete flexibility in developing their own areas of concentration emphases, through the choice of electives. The students may also work with the faculty on the independent study projects to develop deeper expertise in their areas of interest – functional (marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, organizational behavior, strategy, economics, technology and operations) or practice domain (industry sector). The students may also choose to continue on after completing their degree to pursue a post-MBA certificate in entrepreneurship, where they may do an internship with a company in their area of functional/domain interest.
Can I extend my program beyond one year?
The MBA program can be extended beyond one year if you choose to take the four-month Entrepreneurship Certificate after you complete the one-year MBA program. This suite of 4 courses includes a 4-month field experience with a successful woman entrepreneur, giving students practical skills of starting a business, joining their family business, or taking up entrepreneurship roles in an organization. Our entrepreneurship program was ranked among the ten most innovative programs by Fortune Small Business in February 2006.
How is the program structured?
With an emphasis on scholarship as well as advanced business and management skills, the Simmons MBA program covers the essentials of business — from finance and marketing, to international economics, quantitative analysis, technology and operations management, organizational behavior, and strategy. Learning takes place through group discussions, case study analyses, team projects, and collaborative research. Our curriculum extends beyond the basics of a classic business degree to address the effect of gender on leadership, communication, and management. Simmons uses the Harvard Business School case method and an innovative live case study approach, which enables students to analyze actual business scenarios and dilemmas as well as benefit from the diverse experiences of other students.
When does the program start?
The MBA program usually runs from end of August or early September to the following August on a trimester system.
What is the student profile for the one-year MBA program?
The current SOM student has an average of 6 years work experience and an age range from 22 - 48 years.
What is the typical class size for the MBA program?
The typical class size is currently 30 to 60 students.
Applying to the MBA Program
Do I need an undergraduate degree in business in order to apply?
Applicants do not need an undergraduate degree in business in order to apply and be accepted into the full-time MBA program.
I'm from a 10+2+3 education system and do not have 16 years of education, can I still apply?
Students may apply after completing their 10+2+3 year education. At least two years of full time work experience is recommended. Work in one's family business, or leadership and other life experiences in the school and college setting may be counted towards the work experience requirement
What are the admission requirements for the one-year MBA program?
All candidates are required to submit the following materials:
- A completed MBA Application Form, including essays
- A non-refundable application fee of $75.00
- Three letters of recommendation
- An official transcript(s) of all undergraduate and graduate level courses
- An official GMAT score report (the code is 3761 for SOM)
- An official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score that demonstrates satisfactory proficiency (the code is 3761 for SOM).
- A current resume
- Upon acceptance, an International Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form along with original bank statements to demonstrate the ability to pay tuition and living expenses while enrolled at Simmons.
- Upon acceptance, copies of the student’s visa, passport, and receipt of SEVIS I-901 fee payment must be submitted to generate an I-20 form.
What are minimum requirements for GMAT and GPA?
Our students tend to have a GMAT score of at least 500 and an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. The admissions committee’s decision depends on a number of factors. The applicant’s overall academic record, work experience, and the consistency of academic performance are also considered.
What is the minimum requirement for the TOEFL?
Our international students tend to have a TOEFL of at least 220.
Is work experience required for admission to the MBA program?
At least two years of full time work experience is recommended. Work in one’s family business, or leadership and other life experiences in the school and college setting, may be counted towards the work experience requirement.
If my GMAT or GPA or TOEFL or work experience is below the minimum requirement, should I still apply?
We recommend a phone interview if your GMAT, GPA, TOEFL, or work experience is below the minimum requirement to establish your chances of success in our MBA program. Please contact vipin.gupta@simmons.edu for setting up a phone interview.
Is it possible to obtain an exemption from any of the courses?
The SOM business program is designed for intensity and rigor and the curriculum is integrated where courses follow a clear progression. However, you may apply for an exemption from an introductory course, such as economics or quantitative methods, based on an exemplary performance in you previous academic program. You will still need to complete 48 credits to graduate from the MBA program.
When is the application deadline?
The School of Management has a rolling admissions policy. For fall (August/ September) enrollment, the suggested date for submitting applications for the international students is May 15. For spring (January) enrollment, it’s October 15. If because of an emergency you are unable to meet these deadlines, contact vipin.gupta@simmons.edu to check if your application can still be considered.
Can I fill in the application online?
The MBA application and guidelines are available here.
Is there a way for international students to waive the TOEFL?
Students whose native language is not English and who do not hold a bachelor’s degree from as United States institution are usually required to submit a TOEFL score. You may still submit your application, pending your TOEFL test.
Can I receive a waiver of the application fee?
The SOM does not provide an application fee waiver.
Do you provide visa assistance?
Visa assistance is currently available only in India. Simmons College is an institutional member of US Educational Foundation in India (USEFI). USEFI will offer assistance in the preparation of the Visa application for those who are offered admissions to Simmons. For more information, please contact Ms. Luna Das, Educational Advisor, USEFI at luna@fulbright-india.org
Tuition and Financial Aid
What is the cost of the program?
12 month format: Tuition fee: $44,160 (48 credits) + Living costs: $15,300 (12 months) = Total: $59,460
What type of financial aid is available for the MBA program?
The SOM offers four types of financial aid:
- Dean’s merit scholarships are available for the international students based on demonstrated academic achievement, managerial experience, and leadership potential. These range from $5,000 annually to full-tuition awards. To know more about this go to: http://www.simmons.edu/som/mba/admission/tuition/scholarships.shtml
- Loans are available to the international students, both on the basis of a US-based guarantor as well as without such a guarantor. The loan amount is generally up to $10,000.
- You can work as a research assistant which requires a 10-hour-per-week time commitment, and typically available in the areas of Faculty Research, Fundraising and Development, Marketing, and Admissions.
- Paid internship opportunities may be available. You may write to vipin.gupta@simmons.edu for more information about these.
Can I work on campus?
The accelerated nature of the one-year MBA Program makes working very difficult. But some of our international students do work on campus, usually for 10 hours per week. The work on campus is permitted up to 20 hours/week. For information about working off campus, contact vipin.gupta@simmons.edu
How do I apply for scholarships?
All applicants are automatically considered for dean’s merit scholarships. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis and the number awarded is limited so we encourage students to apply early in the process for better chances.
Student Experience
Is there any housing available for international students?
We reserve graduate housing on the campus of Simmons College. As an MBA student, you would have a short walk to the School of Management. Or if you prefer to live off campus, assistance is offered for renting an apartment and for sharing it with other international students at SOM or other area colleges. On arrival short-term home stay may be arranged for the incoming students with the faculty, students, and alumnae.
How do I convert percentages in the Indian system to the US gpa?
Converting percentages in the Indian system to grade point average in the American system is somewhat complicated. In order to convert percentages to GPA, the evaluator must know the grading scale of a particular school. In general, the following scale adapted from the World Education Services scale is used, if the passing percentage is 35%:
Percentage U.S. Grade Equivalent Approximate GPA 65-100 A 4.00 60-64 A- 3.70 56-59 B+ 3.40 53-55 B 3.00 50-52 B- 2.70 45-49 C+ 2.40 40-44 C 2.00 35-39 D 1.00 0-34 F 0.00
How will an MBA affect my career?
The Master of Business Administration program at the Simmons School of Management (SOM) appeals to the critical thinkers and change agents among us. It attracts women who understand that leading well is a choice and who wield their influence constructively for economic and social purpose. This is why Simmons students develop a range of competencies employers covet: mental agility, strategic thinking, and analytic ability, PLUS superior leadership, communication, and team-building skills. Students credit Simmons for teaching them how to think differently and see opportunities. They are confident in their abilities and are excellent at negotiating and navigating the political realm of organizations.
SOM graduates say the Simmons MBA program is transformational and provides a personalized experience that helps them achieve their individual goals. For some, this may entail a significant salary increase and/or promotion. Others use their MBA to follow their passions by shifting careers, launching new businesses, or preparing for a leadership role within their current organization.
Where are previous SOM international students currently working?
International students who have graduated from SOM are currently working in organizations such as Deloitte, General Electric, Microsoft, Citibank, Xerox, Exxon Mobile, Goldman Sachs, Pfizer, Mercedes-Benz, State Street Global Advisors, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and Bloomberg, and non profits such as INSEAD, United Way, Center for Women in Enterprise, and the Center for Neurological Disease at Harvard Medical School.
How do I get connected with a SOM alumni mentor?
SOM connects international students with an alumni mentor to help them gain exposure to the US work culture. Contact Vipin.gupta@simmons.edu for more information.
What type of international partnerships does the SOM have?
The SOM is building relationships with select academic and corporate partners internationally. India is one of the major emphases areas of SOM. Several business schools in India, including the Indian School of Business at Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Management - Calcutta, have expressed interest in working with us to develop women focused programs in India. Several multinationals in India, including Hewlett-Packard, Deloitte, IBM, General Electric, Oracle, Coca Cola, and HSBC, have also indicated their desire to partner with us on our unique expertise in women and leadership.
What is the profile of the current international students at SOM?
Click here for profiles of some of the Indian students currently enrolled at SOM.