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Info Sessions

November 19, 2009

6:00 PM, Carlson Hall 203, Worcester Campus RSVP

December 9, 2009

6:00 PM, Higgins University Center, Worcester Campus RSVP

December 16, 2009

6:00 PM, Higgins University Center, Worcester Campus RSVP


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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Clark and GSOM
  2. Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
  3. Masters of Science in Finance (MSF)
  4. Admissions
  5. Test Scores
  6. Tuition and Aid
  7. Housing

 

Clark and GSOM

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Location

Q. Where is Clark University Graduate School of Management (GSOM)?

Clark GSOM is located at 950 Main Street in Worcester, Massachusetts. Worcester is the second largest city in New England. It is situated in Central Massachusetts, about an hour from Boston and three hours from New York City. Not only has Worcester been recently named one of the top cities in which to live for people between the ages of 20 and 29, it has also been named one of the 10 most livable cities in the US by Forbes Magazine. Worcester offers countless cultural, dining, shopping, and entertainment options, including exhibits at the Worcester Art Museum, games played by the Worcester Tornadoes baseball team, and delicious cuisine of all kinds along Restaurant Row.

Q. What is the Graduate Management Center and where is it located?

The Graduate Management Center (GMC) is a satellite location of the Graduate School of Management, which is conveniently situated between Worcester and Boston at 1671 Worcester Road in Framingham, MA. It is located at the intersection of Route 9 and the Massachusetts Turnpike (90), both major routes in the state of Massachusetts. Both part-time and full-time students may take courses at the GMC.

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Student Population

Q. How many students attend Clark University and the Graduate School of Management?

About 3000 undergraduate and graduate students attend Clark University, with approximately 575 of those students attending the Graduate School of Management. Clark GSOM is a small business school and our small scale allows us to offer a level of personal attention that is not available at larger schools of business.

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History

Q. When was Clark University founded?

Clark University is a teaching and research institution with a long and rich history. Founded in 1887, the university has remained purposefully small in order to encourage collaboration between students and faculty. The Graduate School of Management at Clark University was founded in 1982 to serve working professionals seeking graduate-level business education. Several years later, the full-time MBA program was introduced to meet the needs of those students looking to enter a graduate program full-time to prepare them for career transition or enhancement in domestic as well as international business sectors. The MS in Finance program was established for individuals seeking career advancement in the financial industry and additional credentials, such as Certified Financial Analyst or Certified Alternative Investment Analyst.

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Accreditation

Q. Is Clark University Graduate School of Management accredited?

Yes, we are. Clark GSOM is one of the few institutions of its size to have its business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-International (AACSB-International), placing us in the top 15% of business schools worldwide and in the top 30% of business schools in the United States. We are also continuously recognized by the Princeton Review as one of the Best Business Schools in the country.

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Masters in Business Administration

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Program Requirements

Q. What are the requirements for the MBA degree?

Students complete a total of 16 course units in order to attain the MBA degree, including core courses, electives, professional internship, and capstone. See the MBA Program Requirements Form (PDF) for a summary of requirements.

Q. Must I have a business background to be considered for the MBA program?

No. Clark encourages applicants with diverse educational and professional backgrounds to apply, as it greatly enhances the learning experience of all of our students.

Q. Are there any prerequisites to apply for the MBA?

There are no prerequisites for the MBA program, although prior coursework in quantitative methods is highly recommended.

Q. Can I waive or receive credit for courses I've taken in the past?

You may be eligible for course waivers if you have completed a similar undergraduate or graduate course with a grade of B- or higher in the 6 years prior to enrollment. We also accept up to 2 courses in transfer credit from other AACSB-accredited institutions.

Q. What concentrations are available to me?

The Clark MBA offers several concentrations to help you gain expertise in your area of interest. These include: Accounting, Finance, Global Business, Management Information Systems, General Management, Marketing, and Social Change.

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Length of the Program

Q. How long will it take me to complete my MBA?

Full-time Program

As a full-time student, the MBA degree can be completed in one to two years. The duration of the program depends on both waivers received from previous course work and on the amount of courses that you choose to take per semester. The average course load per semester is 4 course units.

Part-Time Program

As a Part-time student, you can complete your MBA degree in as few as 3 years, but have a maximum of 6 years to finish the program. The average course load per semester is 1 to 2 course units, and the maximum permitted is 2.5 units per semester.

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Alternative Admissions Track (Part-Time Students Only)

The Alternative Admissions (ALT) Track is a streamlined application process for Part-time MBA applicants. The ALT Track permits qualified applicants with at least 3 years of professional experience (exceptions reviewed on a case-by-case basis) to submit an application without standardized test scores (GMAT or GRE). If accepted to the program based on your other credentials, you will enroll in 4 course units, and will be exempt from the test entirely if you achieve a GPA of 3.25 or higher in these preliminary units.

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Masters of Science in Finance

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Program Requirements

Q. When is the MSF program offered?

Clark’s MS in Finance program begins in the Fall semester and ends in the December of the following year. All students interested in the MSF program must enroll as full-time students.

Q. What are the requirements for the MSF degree?

Students complete 10 course units in order to attain the MSF degree, including core courses, electives and a professional internship.

Q. Can I waive or receive credit for courses I've taken in the past?

Students must complete 10 full units worth of graduate coursework at Clark in order to earn their Master of Science in Finance. No waivers or transfer credits are accepted.

Q. Are there any prerequisites to apply for the MSF?

Applicants to the MSF program are expected to have taken at least one course at the undergraduate level in Financial Accounting, Statistics, Calculus and Economic Theory. Students are required to complete coursework in these areas before the start of their program at Clark.

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Length of the Program

Q. How long will it take me to complete my MSF?

You can complete the MSF degree in just 3 semesters (you can also take classes during the summer session if you wish).

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Admissions

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Application Requirements and Procedure

Q. If I send you my GMAT score, TOEFL score, GPA and work experience, can you tell me if I would be considered for admission to the program?

Our admissions decisions take into account many factors. We can only assess a candidate for admission after reviewing the whole application including transcripts, recommendations, essay and resume. Hence, we cannot tell you whether or not you would be considered for admission into our program on the basis of your test scores and academic or professional experience. A decision will only be made once a complete application, along with all supporting documents, is submitted to the GSOM Admissions Office.

Q. What are your application requirements?

Along with your Online Application, the application requirements include a $50 fee, 2 letters of recommendation, resume, essay, official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you have attended, an official score report for the GMAT or GRE (except for Alternative Admissions Track applicants), and an official score report for the TOEFL or IELTS (international applicants only).

Q. Do I have to apply online?

We strongly encourage you to apply online for the quickest processing time and ease of use. However, if this is not an option for you, you may download a printable application and mail it to the Admissions Office along with your other credentials.

Q. Is an interview required?

No, an interview is not required. However, we welcome you to attend one of our information sessions or to schedule a personal meeting or campus visit. We also travel for graduate school tours and fairs and host online chats each semester for prospective students.

Q. What is the minimum required grade point average (GPA)?

We do not have a required minimum GPA. However, our average GPA is 3.2.

Q. Do you accept a three year Bachelor’s degree?

Yes, we do accept three year Bachelor’s degrees from other countries.

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Deadlines

Q. When are the application deadlines for the MBA and MSF programs?

Applications are accepted for the full-time MBA program in the Fall and Spring semesters while part-time applicants can apply for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. MSF applications are only accepted for the Fall semester. Please check our Admissions page for updated deadlines.

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Deferment

Q. Can I defer my enrollment?

Yes, you may defer your enrollment for up to one academic year after your original application semester. After that time, you will be required to re-apply to the program.

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Test Scores

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GRE/GMAT

Q. Will you accept the GRE in place of the GMAT?

Yes, we accept either the GMAT or the GRE test. Applicants must submit official scores reported directly from the testing agencies. GRE/GMAT scores are reportable for a period of five years from the date of the exam. Results older than five years will not be reported by the testing agencies and will not be considered by the Admissions Committee. Score reports submitted to Clark University Graduate School of Management are kept on file for one year only.

Please use the following institutional codes while reporting your GRE or GMAT scores to us:
GRE: 0016
GMAT: MSF- Q4X-6X-07      
           MBA (Full-Time) - Q4X-6X-30
           MBA (Part-Time) – Q4X-6X-18

Q. Can I be exempt from submitting the GMAT or GRE?

Applicants who hold a Ph.D., M.D. or J.D. from an accredited U.S. institution are exempt from submitting GMAT or GRE scores. All other full-time and part-time applicants must submit official GMAT or GRE scores to be considered for admission to our program, except for those applying through the Alternative Admissions Track.

Q. What is the minimum/average GMAT or GRE score?

We do not have a required minimum GMAT or GRE. Our average GMAT score for the MBA program is 560, with the majority of students receiving scores of between 500 and 660. Our average GMAT score for the MSF program is 630, with the majority of students receiving scores between 580 and 710.

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TOEFL/IELTS

Q. Will you accept the IELTS in place of the TOEFL? (International Applicants Only!)

Yes, we accept either the TOEFL or the IELTS test. Our departmental code for TOEFL  is 5969 and if you are submitting an IELTS score, visit www.ielts.org for details. TOEFL scores must be official and reported directly by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

TOEFL scores are reportable for a period of two years from the date of the exam. Results older than two years will not be reported by ETS and will not be considered by the Admissions Committee. Score reports submitted to Clark University Graduate School of Management are kept on file for one year only.

Q. What is the minimum required TOEFL or IELTS score?

The minimum required TOEFL score is 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test. The minimum required overall score for the IELTS is 6.5.

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TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Policy

Q. Can I be exempt from submitting the TOEFL or IELTS?

A TOEFL waiver is not automatic for any applicant. Exemptions are rare, but there are several categories of applicants who may qualify for an exception to the TOEFL/IELTS exam:

• Those from countries whose native language is English. (Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British West Indies, Canada except Quebec, England, Ghana, Guam, Ireland, Mauritius, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Virgin Islands, Wales)

• Those who have studied at an accredited university for at least 2 years in the United States at the time of application

• Those who have studied at an accredited university in a country where English is the native or national language. You must submit an official transcript or degree certificate to qualify for a waiver; in the absence of transcripts or official verification of a degree, the TOEFL score will be required.

Please contact us if this describes your case. Generally speaking, even if you are at an 'American university' overseas, if your native/first language is not English, and you are in a country whose official language is not English, you will be required to take the TOEFL/IELTS.

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Tuition & Aid

Q. How much will my tuition be?

Tuition for the 2009-2010 Academic Year is $3310 for a full course unit and $1655 for a half unit course. The MBA consists of 16 course units. Additional fees to consider include books and supplies, health insurance, student services fees, and living expenses. Please see the Tuition & Financing pages for more information.

Q. Does Clark offer scholarships or other awards?

Full-Time Students

All domestic and international applicants are considered for merit-based scholarship and assistantship awards at the time of admission. No separate application is required. Normally, the top 40% of our full-time applicants receive some kind of aid in the amount between 25-100%, which is in the form of either tuition remission and/or a graduate assistantship.

Part-Time Students

All Part-time applicants who submit GMAT or GRE scores are considered for merit-based scholarship awards at the time of admission. No separate application is required. Part-time applicants are eligible for up to 50% in tuition remission.

Q. What other forms of financial assistance are available to me?

Domestic students and international students with a U.S. co-signer are eligible for federal aid and loans designed for graduate-level students. Please visit the Office of Financial Assistance page or contact Rebeccah Cyr for further information.

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Housing

Q. What are the housing options for graduate students at Clark?

Our students live in either on-campus housing available through the Office of Residential Life and Housing or off-campus apartments which are located within walking distance from Clark. Housing in Worcester is plentiful and very affordable. The Admissions and Student Services offices provide guidance to newly admitted students on housing in the Worcester area.

Q. Is on-campus housing available?

On-campus housing is available to graduate students. The Admissions and Student Services offices will make newly admitted students aware of on-campus housing availability and application process.

Q. What kind of off-campus housing is available?

Many students rent apartments in complexes or houses at very reasonable prices, and live within a short walking distance to Clark. A housing coordinator will be available to help newly admitted students identify appropriate accommodations.

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