The University of Pittsburgh provides several MBA degree programs through the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. According to the website, Pitt was the first school in the world to offer a one-year MBA program. It also offers a two-year full-time program, a part-time MBA, and an executive MBA. You can also earn one of six master’s degrees with the joint or dual MBA degree program. These include law, engineering,international business, information systems, public and international affairs, and international development.
Admissions standards for the University of Pittsburgh MBA programs differ based on whether you are applying for a full-time or part-time program. As a general rule, the standards are lower for the part-time program. However, you should be aware that part-time MBA students at the Katz business school have a little more average work experience than their full-time counterparts.
Full-Time Standards:
According to the class profile listed on the University of Pittsburgh website, full-time students average a 612 on the GMAT with a 3.4 GPA. Their work experience is about 3.5 years. A 612 on the GMAT is around the 68th percentile. That is relatively competitive, but the middle 80 percent has a range from 510 to 690. This means that you have a decent chance of admission with a GMAT score below the 50th percentile if you have high marks on all other factors, including your GPA, work experience, and leadership qualities or past record.
Part-Time Standards:
If you have trouble qualifying under Pitt’s full-time MBA standards, you still have a chance under the lower part-time admissions averages. Here, only the average amount of work experience is higher, at about 4.5 years. The GPA average is about 3.2, and the GMAT average is about 557, which is approximately the 51st percentile.
Work Experience:
Pitt requires two years of full-time for admission to the full-time MBA. However, the two-year MBA and joint degree programs prefer but do not require at least two years of work.
GMAT Study:
First, start out at MBA.com. You can purchase some practice tests and see how you do. If you feel you need further help, the University of Pittsburgh provides a list of places around Pittsburgh where you can take a GMAT course. Below, I have copied the list as it is on the website on May 5, 2012:
Community College of Allegheny County, Downtown Center:
625 Stanwix St., Downtown; 412-391-1210; 10-week course
Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions:
130 N. Bellefield Ave. Ste. 310, Oakland; 1-800-KAP-TEST; nine sessions
Princeton Review:
201 S. Craig St., Oakland; 800-273-8439; eight-week course
Veritas Test Prep Center at Sheraton Station Square:
300 W. Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh; 800-925-7737; seven-week course
Foreign Students:
You generally need either a TOEFL or IELTS score. The minimum is 600/100 on the TOEFL or 7.0 on the IELTS.
Further Information:
The school seems to prefer that you email them or fill out the online contact form. You must apply online, but the below address is the mailing and physical address if the school tells you to send in physical copies of any documentation.
Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business
MBA Admissions Office
301 Mervis Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Attention: MBA Application Materials
[email protected]
http://www.business.pitt.edu/katz/mba/contact/index.php
Sources:
University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business MBA Admissions Frequently Asked Questions