Mendoza School of Business

MSDM Application

Specialized Masters Admissions Process

Janel Zakrzewski-Kuntz, Assistant Director of Admissions at Mendoza College of Business, provides insights into what makes our admissions process unique and provides tips to help you submit the best application.

 

Eligibility

At this time Notre Dame is unable to support student visas for the MSDM program.  We encourage you to explore our other graduate programs that may accommodate F-1 or J-1 visa requirements.

 

MSDM Application Requirements

We do not accept test scores older than five years. GMAT® and GRE® scores should be reported directly using the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business codes: XM7-2D-89 for GMAT and 6998 for GRE.

Test Waivers:

Applicants who received an undergraduate GPA of 3.3 or higher, or those who will have their degree conferred from the University of Notre Dame, are eligible for a test waiver. To request a waiver, please complete this form and provide all required documentation.

Applicants are still welcome to take the exam but a lack of score will not have a negative impact on admissibility.

Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended. Please include all prior coursework including summer sessions and any graduate studies. International transcripts must be accompanied by an official English translation.

As some applicants are still enrolled in undergraduate studies, the Admissions Committee will accept an unofficial transcript for application purposes. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit a final, official transcript with proof of graduation prior to enrollment.

Please note: Only full term-by-term transcripts are accepted; degree audits are not. Submitted documents cannot be returned. Applications are reviewed once all materials are received.

One recommendation is required as part of the application process. We suggest selecting someone who can provide a comprehensive assessment of your qualifications, skills, and work experience.

The individual you choose should be familiar with your professional or academic background and capable of offering detailed insights into your abilities and achievements. Ideally, this recommender will have observed your performance closely and can provide specific examples that highlight your strengths and potential.

Applicants should submit a one-page resume summarizing your education, work experience, skills, and accomplishments. Include academic qualifications and professional experience with key responsibilities and achievements. Highlight relevant technical and soft skills, along with notable accomplishments such as awards or publications. Include professional affiliations, volunteer experience, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate your leadership and personal development.

In addition to your resume and transcripts, our slide deck component offers an opportunity for candidates to showcase unique qualities not captured elsewhere, including personal aspects beyond your academic and professional experiences. This slide deck is a required component of your application, and you will be asked to upload it as part of your submission.

Slide Deck Formatting Guidelines:

  • Submit four (4) slides.
  • Create slides using any software and save/upload as a PDF.
  • Avoid using audio or video files.
  • The Admissions Committee will review the slides; no presentation is required.

The statement of purpose is a 100-word statement detailing your short-term professional goals. Include the roles and industries you are targeting after completing your degree and how you plan to leverage the skills and knowledge gained from the program to achieve these goals. This statement will help the Admissions Committee understand your career vision and how our program fits into your professional development plan.

Applicants will respond to the required essay prompt in 500 words or less. This essay allows the Admissions Committee to understand who you are and who you will be at Notre Dame.

Essay Prompt:

“The University of Notre Dame was founded in 1842, by Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C, with a mission to become “one of the most powerful means for doing good in this country”. In 1879, Father Sorin’s vision for Notre Dame seemingly came to an abrupt end when a massive fire destroyed the main building that housed the entire university. Instead of giving up, Father Sorin interpreted the fire as a sign that his dream was too small. He then decided to rebuild, bigger and better. The now iconic main building still stands today, topped by the gleaming Golden Dome, as an ongoing symbol of perseverance and vision.

Tell us about a time, in your personal or professional experience, when you persevered and overcame obstacles or you had to start over and rebuild. What did you learn most about yourself, and how has that influenced how you show up in the world?”

This is an opportunity to share information not covered elsewhere in your application. You can include additional context about your background, gaps in employment, unique experiences, personal challenges you have overcome, or any other insights that may not be fully represented in other sections of your application.

Applicants will be invited to complete a video assessment after submitting their application. A link with further information will be emailed upon submission. Members of our Admissions Committee will ask you a set of questions to get to know you as an individual. This video assessment allows the Admissions Committee to review your application more holistically.

Non-U.S. citizen applicants (and U.S. citizens with extensive international study) must submit an English proficiency test score. Accepted tests include TOEFL®, IELTS™, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test. Test scores may be waived if you completed at least six full-time semesters or nine full-time quarters at a university where English is the primary language. Transcripts will verify this, and the Admissions Committee will notify you if additional information is needed.

Report your English proficiency scores directly to us using Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business TOEFL code 2456.

The $50 non-refundable application fee is the final requirement in the application process. After submitting your application, you will be directed to the application status page where you can submit a payment by credit card through the online application system.

Your application will not be considered complete until this fee is paid.

Application fee waivers are available for individuals who satisfy the following eligibility requirements:

  • United States Active Duty Military or Veterans
  • Current or former Peace Corps volunteers
  • Current or former Teach for America volunteers

If you fulfill any of these criteria, please reach out to the admissions team for further details at msdm.business@nd.edu.


Mendoza School of Business