Questrom School of Business
(Boston University)
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Program Length: 2 years
- Program Cost: $127,596
- Average GMAT score: 683
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Average Work Experience: 5 years
Employment Reports (2022)
- Accepted an Offer: 90%
- Completed Internship: 98%
- Median Salary: $134,940
- Median Performance Bonus: $24,524
RANKINGS
- #75 Financial Times 2023 MBA Ranking
- #33 QS Global MBA Rankings 2023
CLASS OF 2024
- Total Applicants: 1,010
- Total Enrollment: 159
- Women: 48%
- Average GPA: 3.4
ABOUT
The Questrom School of Business is the business school at Boston University in Boston, MA, USA. Founded in 1913 as the College of Business Administration, the school offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The Boston University Questrom School of Business is ranked in the top 50 global business schools by US News, in the top 70 by the Economist. Questrom is a brand name business school in a market where the value of the MBA is directly proportional to the status of the institution.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
- Round 1: October 18th, 2023
- Round 2: December 18th, 2023
- Round 3: March 13th, 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS
Transcripts
Transcripts for any coursework completed, including study abroad and post-graduate work is required.
GMAT or GRE
Applicants to the Full-Time MBA program at Boston University Questrom School of Business have the option to request a GMAT/GRE waiver if they meet specific qualifications outlined by the school. The decision to grant a waiver is at the discretion of the admissions committee.
To request a waiver, applicants must fill out the GMAT/GRE waiver request form. However, it’s important to note that the waiver cannot be requested if the applicant has already taken the exam and sent the scores to Boston University Questrom School of Business.
Applicants with competitive GMAT/GRE scores are given additional consideration for merit-based scholarships. In rare cases, even after granting a waiver, the admissions committee might request GMAT/GRE scores to further evaluate a candidate’s candidacy for the Full-Time MBA program. If this additional information is needed, the applicant will be informed after submitting the complete application, which undergoes an initial review.
It’s important to specify that GMAT/GRE waiver requests are specific to the Full-Time MBA program and do not apply to the Online MBA and Professional Evening MBA programs. For information regarding testing requirements for these programs, applicants are directed to visit the admissions website.
Foreign Language Requirement
Applicants seeking English language proficiency waivers for admission must meet specific criteria. Automatic waivers are granted to candidates who have completed at least two years of their bachelor’s or master’s degree at an English-based institution. Proof of instruction language is required through transcripts, official university statements, or website links specifying English as the mode of instruction. Additionally, individuals with at least two years of full-time, post-bachelor’s degree work experience in the US are also eligible for an automatic waiver.
For those not meeting these criteria, a written request outlining English proficiency and experience can be submitted to mba@bu.edu before the application submission. Such requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the admissions committee. Test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) are accepted and are valid for two years.
1 Recommendation
1 letter of recommendation is required.
Essay Description
Applicants to the full-time and part-time MBA programs at the Questrom School of Business have the option to complete either three short video essays or one written essay as part of the application process, providing flexibility based on individual preferences.
Video Essays:
Candidates opting for video essays receive personalized links to the Kira Talent website. They answer a common question and two random short-answer queries. While unlimited practice is allowed, formal responses are limited to one attempt. The focus is on authentic, candid responses, with applicants encouraged to dress in business casual attire. The process takes about five minutes and can be done at the applicant’s convenience.
Written Essay:
Applicants preferring written expression can submit an essay within the application documents. The essay, limited to 750 words, should detail why the candidate wants to earn an MBA from Questrom, specifying the chosen program (Full-Time MBA, Professional Evening MBA, Health Sector MBA, etc.) and outlining how the program aligns with their post-graduate goals.
Optional Essay:
An optional essay of up to 250 words allows candidates to address additional information pertinent to the Admissions Committee. This may include overcoming obstacles, explaining gaps in work experience, discussing choice of recommenders, or addressing concerns about academic/test performance. Candidates can also mention plans for retaking admissions tests.
Resume
Current resume needs to be submitted, as required in the “Experiences” section of the online application.
Interview
The Questrom School of Business conducts admissions interviews for a substantial number of applicants to its Full-Time MBA program. These interviews are a vital evaluative part of the application process and are conducted by a member of the admissions team. Invitations for interviews are extended selectively once the application has been submitted to the Graduate Admissions & Financial Aid Office. These interviews can take place on-campus, virtually, or in specific off-campus locations, providing flexibility for applicants. Additionally, Questrom also offers pre-application interviews, indicating their commitment to engaging with potential candidates even before the formal application process begins.
STUDENT LIFE
The Questrom School of Business offers a vibrant and dynamic student life experience, designed to enrich the academic journey and foster personal and professional growth. With a diverse and inclusive community, students at Questrom School of Business engage in a wide array of activities and initiatives.
- Academic Excellence: Students benefit from rigorous academic programs, innovative teaching methods, and access to renowned faculty. Questrom emphasizes hands-on learning, case studies, and collaborative projects, preparing students for real-world challenges.
- Career Development: Questrom provides extensive career development resources, including career counseling, networking events, and internships. The school maintains strong connections with industry partners, offering students valuable opportunities for internships, co-op programs, and job placements.
- Student Organizations: Questrom boasts a variety of student organizations and clubs catering to diverse interests. These groups provide platforms for networking, leadership development, and community engagement. Whether focused on entrepreneurship, consulting, or social impact, there’s a club for every passion.
- Guest Speakers and Events: Students have the chance to attend lectures, seminars, and workshops featuring prominent guest speakers, industry leaders, and alumni. These events offer valuable insights into various fields, broaden perspectives, and encourage thoughtful discussions.
- Global Opportunities: Questrom emphasizes global perspectives, offering study abroad programs, international exchanges, and global consulting projects. Students gain exposure to different cultures and business practices, enhancing their global mindset and competitiveness in the international job market.
- Community Engagement: Questrom is deeply committed to community service and social responsibility. Students participate in volunteer activities, fundraising events, and social impact initiatives, making a positive difference in the local community and beyond.
- Collaborative Environment: The school fosters a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. Students often work together on projects, share ideas, and collaborate on research, creating a conducive environment for learning and innovation.
In summary, Questrom School of Business offers a holistic student life experience, blending academic rigor with practical experiences, career development, community engagement, and a strong sense of community. It equips students not only with business knowledge but also with essential skills, networks, and perspectives to excel in their careers and make a meaningful impact on the world.
MBA PROGRAM OVERVIEW
First Year
The MBA program offers cutting-edge curriculum, world-class professors, 100+ electives, and direct access to the Boston business community. It is a 2 year program. Aside of Mandatory classes, Questrom MBA curriculum allows students to dive into elective offerings with countless courses to choose from (10+ number of electives). Students can also shape their program to fit with their career goals by choosing a Career Pathway—a series of courses designed to fast-track them into a specific industry or field. Questroom also got Learning Communities, groups of students, clubs, faculty, and staff that that rally around specific interests and dive deep together. The first year at Questrom is devided in three semesters: Fall (2 week launch + two 7 week modules), Winter (1 week extensive), and Spring (14 weeks).
Fall Semester
- Managing Organizations and People
- Financial Reporting and Analysis
- Organizations, Markets, and Society
- Marketing Management
- Business Analytics: Data Analysis and Risk
- Technology and Operations Management
- Finance I
Spring Semester
- Finance II
- Competition, Innovation, and Strategy
- Creating Value Through Operations and Technology
- Capstone Project
Second Year
Second year is also semester-based. It begins with an intensive course in managing risk and then offers even more elective courses, allowing students to move beyond the traditional experience and design their own MBA story. The number of electives they’ll take in the second year varies based on how many they choose to take during first year; there are 11 electives total, each worth 3 credits.
FEATURED PROFESSORS
Edward Riedl
Edward Riedl the John F. Smith Professor of Management, Professor of Accounting, and Chair of the Accounting Department in the Questrom School of Business. He joined Boston University in 2011. His research focuses on three mega-trends within financial reporting today: fair value accounting, international reporting, and expanding the reporting model (including ESG – environmental, social, and governance – reporting).
He has published in the top-tier accounting (The Accounting Review, Journal of Accounting Research, Review of Accounting Studies, Contemporary Accounting Research) and management journals (Management Science), with over 90 presentations at universities around the world, including Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, London Business School, and Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research is award-winning, including receipt of the Competitive Manuscript Award (given for the top accounting dissertation).
Remi Trudel
Remi Trudel’s research interests focus on consumer well-being. His research agenda is driven by a desire to understand consumer decision making in three substantive areas – sustainability, health and diet, and personal finance. He has published in the top academic journals including the Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Marketing Research, and the Journal of Consumer Psychology. In 2012, he was awarded the Broderick Prize for Excellence in Research Scholarship at the Questrom School of Business. He was also recognized for his contribution to the doctoral program and was awarded the 2015 Broderick Prize for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to the Doctoral Community and Program. Trudel joined Boston University in July of 2009. He earned his PhD from the Ivey Business School, University of Western Ontario.
Dr. Anita L. Tucker
Dr. Anita L. Tucker is a Professor at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. She teaches operations management, service operations, quality improvement, healthcare operations, operations strategy and supply chain management at the undergraduate, MBA, executive, and doctorate levels.
She investigates how service process design impacts quality and efficiency. In particular, she has studied care delivery processes in hospitals. She leverages principles from operations management to help hospitals decrease workarounds and create an improvement-oriented culture. Her research has won numerous awards including a Best Dissertation award from AcademyHealth, a Sloan Industry Studies Fellowship, a best paper award from California Management Review, seven best paper proceedings awards from the Academy of Management, and outstanding abstract from AcademyHealth.