Admissions Update for August 2023 Entry

The M.S. in Business Analytics admissions cycle is in full swing, and we still have one remaining deadline – June 5 – for the cohort entering August 2023. As noted on our website, if seats remain in the class after June 5, we will continue to receive and evaluate applications on a space-available, rolling basis.

We recently caught up with the MSBA Admissions team to discuss the admissions process as well as several applicant FAQs.

Interested in learning more about the MSBA program (including our application process)? Join us for our MSBA Information Session, on Thursday, June 1, at 5 p.m. Register here.

Is it too late to apply?

Definitely not! MSBA is what you would consider a “late-breaking” program, meaning our MSBA classes tend to come together during the spring and summer months. This was the case with previous classes, and this year’s class seems to be following a similar timeline.

Interestingly, with many professional degree programs (MSBA included), there is not one time when applicants apply, and we offer multiple application deadlines to accommodate this diversity of timing. Some applicants are ready to apply in the fall. Others enter the new year with plans to enroll in a graduate program. Other applicants decide in the spring and summer that now is the right time for them to go back to school.

As noted above, the summer is a popular time for MSBA candidates to apply, and we still have seats available in our class and scholarship money to award. So, if you are worried that it might be too late to submit your application, don’t be! Interestingly, there are many students in the current MSBA cohort who applied in the summer months.

I noticed the note on the MSBA deadlines page about applications being considered on a space-available basis after June 5. Tell us more about that.

As noted, there is not one time when MSBA applicants apply, and in many years, we find that we still have seats available in our class after our last deadline.

Last year, for example, we continued to accept applications into July. At this point in the cycle, it’s hard to say with certainty if that will be the case again this year, but it could very well be. We encourage applicants to make every effort to apply by June 5, but if you are interested in joining this year’s cohort, and the June 5 deadline has passed, we encourage you to contact our team to see where things stand.

What advice do you have for MSBA applicants?

Things move quicker at this point in the cycle, so we have a few tips to help you jumpstart your application process. First, start by reading through our Application Process webpage. This page provides a helpful listing of everything you’ll need to apply for the MSBA program.

As a next step, gather your transcripts. We require transcripts for all degree-related coursework, and unofficial transcripts are just fine for the purposes of our application process. What’s an unofficial transcript? A transcript that has been issued directly to you. It could be a download from a registrar website, a scan of a paper copy, a photo of a physical transcript, the list goes on. Whatever approach you choose, make sure the transcript can be easily read.

Next, polish your resume so that it’s ready to include with your application and to share with your recommender. This exercise will also give you an opportunity to reflect upon your professional accomplishments as well as how the MSBA fits into your career goals.

As we often note, the application process is a storytelling exercise, and the strongest applications are typically the product of a fair amount of self-reflection. The better you understand your story — what you’ve accomplished, why you’re excited about the MSBA (and UVA’s program in particular), how this degree fits into your career goals, etc. — the stronger your application will likely be.

Next, reach out to your recommender. The recommendation tends to be one of the slower parts of the application process, as it is the one part of your application you will not complete. As noted on our process page, only one recommendation is required, and we have a general preference for hearing from your current supervisor.

Why? The MSBA is a program for working professionals, and we want to know you have been talking with people at work about your interest in the program. In addition, supervisors are typically best equipped to share how you compare to others in similar roles in your organization, how you’ve progressed during your time with the company, how you’ve responded to feedback and other key considerations.

Pro tip: Make sure your recommender knows your application deadline. We find most recommenders tend to be deadline-oriented, so sharing the date with them upfront can help them plan. We generally recommend giving your recommender a couple weeks — if possible — to draft their recommendation.

Starting with these first steps, will help expedite your application process and allow you to put forward your strongest MSBA application!