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MSBA Application Process

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Master of Science in Business Analytics – Application Process

Applying to Wake Forest’s Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) degree is the first step on the path toward a rewarding career shaping the future of business through data-driven strategy.

Rolling Admissions

Applications to the MSBA program are reviewed on a rolling basis. Admissions decisions are made on complete files only. Once an application is complete, an applicant will receive a decision in approximately three to four weeks through the online application system.

There are no separate applications required to be considered for Wake Forest scholarships. Qualified applications submitted earlier receive admission and scholarship award priority.

To begin the application process, we recommend verifying that you meet the standards for program eligibility before accessing the online application. Candidates applying to the Master’s in Business Analytics on-campus program should follow the application instructions and requirements shown below.

MSBA Application Deadlines for Summer 2025 Enrollment

Domestic Applicants (1)
Application Available
Aug. 1
Early App Deadline (nonbinding)
Nov. 1
Final Application Deadline
June 1
Enrollment Begins
July 2025
  1. Domestic applicants include U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.
International Applicants (1)
Application Available
Aug. 1
Early App Deadline (nonbinding)
Nov. 1
Final App Deadline (outside US)
April 1
Final App Deadline (in US)
May 1
Enrollment Begins
July 2025
  1. International students currently living outside the U.S. must meet the April 1 application deadline. International students currently in the U.S. on an F-1 visa can meet the extended application deadline of May 1 if they require only a SEVIS transfer to extend their visa.

NO SEPARATE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REQUIRED. Qualified applications submitted earlier receive admission and scholarship award priority.

MSBA Program Eligibility

The Wake Forest University School of Business seeks MSBA applicants who have demonstrated achievement through their academic coursework, professional experience, and community involvement. Prospective students should demonstrate leadership ability, motivation, focus, enthusiasm, strong values, and teamwork skills.

Before you start the application process, we encourage you to review the program eligibility standards shown below to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.

For Summer 2025 enrollment, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  1. Earned (or pursuing) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  2. All majors are welcome to apply. Candidate should have demonstrated aptitude for quantitative analysis through previous coursework. Candidate should have completed a course in Statistics and one other quantitative course such as: statistical methods, regression analysis, probability and distribution theory, statistical inference and regression, discrete math, and linear algebra. The Admissions Committee is seeking applicants who have earned a B or better in these topics.

Note: Wake Forest does not refund the application fee for a submitted application, regardless of whether a candidate meets the program eligibility. If you are just beginning the admissions process, we encourage you to schedule an admissions consultation by emailing the  Enrollment Management team at busapply@wfu.edu. This provides an opportunity to speak one-on-one with an admissions counselor about the application process and ask individual program eligibility questions.

Master’s in Business Analytics Application Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to the MSBA program, applicants must submit the following items to have a complete application file.

An online application is required for all applicants. To submit the application, a $100 non-refundable application fee payable by credit card is required. The resume and unofficial transcript are part of the online application.

As part of your application, you are required to respond to questions in the Legal Disclosure section of the application. All applicants are encouraged to be forthcoming when disclosing this information. If required, candidates may be asked to provide additional information to complete a background check.

Required: A requirement of the online application includes a written assessment comprised of three short-answer questions designed to share experiences and collect additional information. All applicants are required to complete the assessment. As a guide, responses to the questions should be limited to one paragraph (approx. 250 words max.)

Optional: Applicants may use the optional short-answer question on the online application to discuss anomalies that exist in their application/transcript or address aspects that may be concerning to the Admissions Committee. This question is optional and not required.

A one-page resume or CV is required. A sample format is available for download by clicking the Resume Template.

Unless otherwise directed, all applicants must take either the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants can determine which test is better suited for them individually. Scores are valid for five years post exam date. If your score is expiring, you must submit your application prior to expiration.

Students with a GPA of 3.2 or better and at least two grades of B or better in quantitative or other rigorous coursework, from a U.S.-based college/university are eligible for a GRE/GMAT test waiver.

GMAT test registration information is available at www.mba.com. Use the WFU School of Business – MS Business Analytics (MSBA) institution code R5F-NS-27.

GRE test registration information is available at www.ets.org/gre. Use the Wake Forest MS in Business Analytics institution code 7181.

If you are interested in GMAT or GRE test prep sessions, please visit our Events Calendar to view our upcoming no-charge virtual prep trainings.

The names and contact information for two references are required as part of the online application. However, online letters of recommendation are NOT required and, if submitted, will NOT be used during the application review process. At their discretion, the Admissions Committee may contact your references directly. Please do not submit additional references, as they will not strengthen your application.

Unofficial transcripts will be accepted for the application review process and may be uploaded as a part of your online application. We require transcripts of all academic work completed (or currently in progress) at the baccalaureate/undergraduate and graduate level. Associate degree transcripts are not required.

Official final transcripts will be required following enrollment (or can be sent prior to), which include the name of the degree awarded and the date the degree was conferred. If you have not graduated, please wait to order an official copy of your transcript until after graduation. To request your transcript, you may use the Transcript Request Form we have provided or use the form provided by your specific college.

  • Electronic transcripts (e-Transcript/certified document) should be sent directly to busapply@wfu.edu.
  • Paper transcripts should be mailed directly from your university in an official, sealed envelope to one of the following addresses:
    Regular MailExpress DeliveryWake Forest University School of Business
    P.O. Box 7897
    Suite 115
    Winston-Salem, NC 27109Wake Forest University School of Business
    1834 Wake Forest Road
    Farrell Hall – Suite 115
    Winston-Salem, NC 27106

International Applicants: Your final transcript(s) must be written in English and include the degree awarded and the date the degree was conferred. If not listed on your transcript, you must submit your diploma or degree certificate indicating the degree and date of confirmation. If the transcript is not in English, an official transcript evaluation must be submitted using World Education Services (www.wes.org) or International Education Evaluations (www.foreigntranscripts.com). Applicants using IEE should use their portal for Wake Forest University. Applicants from Chinese institutions can request and submit official transcripts directly through CHESICC, which will be sent directly to our admissions office. Click here to get started.

Applicants whose native language is not English and/or whose principal language of university instruction was not English must submit scores from either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). The TOEFL Essentials exam is also accepted. Exception: applicants who have or will complete their undergraduate work in the U.S. or at an English-speaking college or university are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

The Admissions Committee recommends a minimum TOEFL score of 105 (IBT) or an official IELTS score of 7.5. However, score minimums are guidelines for admission. All official test scores will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee and considered in the decision-making process. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years post exam date. If your score is expiring, you must submit your application prior to expiration. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to waive the TOEFL/IELTS for international applicants who have resided and worked in the United States for an extended period of time.

Information and test registration for the TOEFL is available at www.toefl.org. Use the Wake Forest School of Business institution code B818. Information and test registration for the IELTS is available at www.ielts.org. An institutional code is NOT required for IELTS.

All interviews for the on-campus MSBA program are by invitation only, after a candidate has submitted the application. For candidates invited to interview, both a Zoom video call or an on-campus interview will be available. On-campus interviews include the opportunity to attend class, have lunch with a current student and tour Farrell Hall.

Receipt of Transcripts & Scores

To check the status of received official transcript(s), GRE/GMAT score(s), and TOEFL/IELTS score(s), please login to your Applicant Portal, and choose your application to view a summary of your application status and requirements. Enter the same username and password that you used to create your online application.

Our office processes a large volume of application components daily, so check back often for new updates as this is the best method to check the receipt of your supplemental materials. Once materials are received by our office, it can take up to ten business days to update your Applicant Portal. If it has been more than ten days and your Applicant Portal is not properly updated, please contact the Center for Enrollment Management.

When mailing official transcripts, it is suggested that you use FedEx or another delivery service that provides you with package tracking capability.

International Applicants

If you are applying to the MSBA program as an international candidate, please review the following tips and guidelines for an efficient application process:

  • Use the same email address and first name throughout the entire application process.
  • Ensure that your name is spelled out completely in English on your application and transcript.
  • Include your full application name (that matches your passport) in any correspondence with the university.
  • Do not send any materials which are not requested by the Enrollment Management Center.

Non-traditional Student

A non-traditional student is defined as an applicant who enrolled in a graduate program (i.e. Law School) directly after college graduation and has maintained full-time student status from their undergraduate graduation until present. Note that the Admissions Committee evaluates non-traditional applicants as part of the regular application process.

Deposit Deadlines

All candidates receive an admission decision within three to four weeks of submission, provided the application is complete. Deposit due dates vary by admit date, noted in the chart below.

 

Admit Date

Deposit Due Date

MSBA Deposit*

Before Jan. 31

4 weeks after admission

$1,500

Feb. 1 – March 31

3 weeks after admission

$1,500

April 1 – May 31

2 weeks after admission

$1,500

June 1 or later

1 week after admission

$1,500

Enrollment Deposit Amount and Payment Due Date

The $1,500 Enrollment Deposit can be paid in total upon acceptance of the admission offer or in two payments according to the chart below.

Payment

Amount

Due Date*

1st payment

$1,000

upon offer acceptance

2nd payment

$500

March 15 (international)

May 1 (domestic)

*Note about payment deadlines: If an offer is accepted after the 2nd payment deadline, then the entire deposit of $1,500 is due immediately. Students may choose to pay the entire fee at any time prior to the deadline. Please note that the entire enrollment deposit will be applied to first semester tuition upon matriculation. An additional processing fee is assessed if paying via credit card. Enrollment deposit payments are non-refundable.

Deposit Extension

In certain instances, the Admissions Committee is able to grant an extension to the deposit deadline. All extension requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions Committee.

For International Students

All International students who have paid their enrollment deposit should anticipate an email to be delivered to your new Wake Forest email address (once activated) sent from the Wake Forest International Students and Scholars team (ISS). This email will contain detailed instructions on the requirements and forms (including Certification of Finances) that you must complete to receive your I-20 documentation that you will need to obtain your F-1 student visa. Students already in the US that need to transfer their I-20 from their current university will also receive instructions from ISS to complete that process.

Get Started on your MSBA Application to Wake Forest

Wake Forest’s Master’s in Business Analytics degree prepares you with advanced knowledge and methodologies to apply data across a range of functions, making meaningful change for your organization.

Get started today by submitting your application to the MSBA program.

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