MBA Conditional Admissions Program

What is the MBA Conditional Admissions Program (MBA-CAP)?

The MBA Conditional Admissions Program (MBA-CAP) is a program for international students who would like to obtain their MBA from the University of Delaware.

The MBA-CAP is a joint program of the University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics and the University's English Language Institute (ELI). MBA-CAP provides international students whose native language is not English with an opportunity to be accepted into the MBA program without the need to take the TOEFL exam. Instead, students will enroll in the English Language Institute before beginning their MBA coursework. This provides them with the opportunity to improve their English skills and helps them to develop important skills that are necessary for success in the UD MBA program.

Benefits of the MBA-CAP

No TOEFL Requirement
Instead of taking a TOEFL, the student will be required to pass the most advanced levels of either the ELI's English for Academic Purposes program OR the ELI's Pre-MBA program. The student must achieve a grade of at least "B+" in this coursework in order to fulfill the language requirement.
Postponed GMAT Exam
All applicants to the MBA program must submit adequate GMAT scores before they can begin their MBA coursework. However, otherwise academically qualified applicants can receive their conditional admissions prior to taking the GMAT. The GMAT can be very difficult for native English speakers, and it can be even more challenging for students with limited English skills. In the MBA-CAP program, students are permitted to begin their ELI coursework to improve their English skills BEFORE taking the GMAT. In addition, a GMAT preparation course is available to these students, enabling them to acquire the improved English skills and the techniques that are necessary to obtain an excellent score on the exam!
Practical Courses for MBA Preparation
All students in advanced levels at the ELI will have the option of enrolling in two programs: English for Academic Purposes and the Pre-MBA program.
1. The English for Academic Purposes program focuses on teaching students skills that they need to succeed in US graduate programs, such as presentation skills, note-taking, essay and paper-writing, research, and critical thinking skills.
2. The Pre-MBA program focuses on teaching students skills that are more specific to business, such as presentation and negotiation skills, business vocabulary and correspondence, and case study analysis. In addition, the Pre-MBA program provides an overview of basic concepts in management, marketing, finance, and economics.
In both programs, students are required to pass their coursework with a grade of at least a "B+" in EACH course (not an overall average score). After all requirements have been met, the students will begin their MBA coursework.
Period of Adjustment before Beginning MBA Coursework
Since MBA-CAP students begin their studies on the University of Delaware campus at ELI, they are given the time they need to become familiar with resources available at an American university and be accustomed to campus life. Challenges such as homesickness, culture shock, and the need for housing can be dealt with before the students actually begin their MBA coursework, where such distractions (especially when compounded with possible barriers to communication) can be detrimental. By beginning their university experience at the ELI, the students are in a comfortable, supportive environment, surrounded by faculty and advisors who have vast experience and success in helping students fulfill their academic dreams.

Period of Enrollment in the ELI

The length of time required for enrollment in the ELI prior to beginning MBA coursework is different for each student. It depends entirely on the student's English skills when he or she arrives (i.e., more advanced students will require less time in the ELI) and on the student's willingness to work hard to improve his or her English skills.

The ELI has six levels of English courses, where Level I is for beginners and Level VI is for the most advanced students. The following scale shows the estimated periods of time that students will require in the ELI, depending on their initial placement:

Level I (Absolute Beginner): 12-16 months
Level II (High Beginner): 10-14 months
Level III (Intermediate): 8-10 months
Level IV (High Intermediate): 6-8 months
Level V (Advanced): 4-6 months
Level VI (High Advanced): 2-4 months

How to Apply

To apply for the MBA-CAP program, first send a message to Laurie Fuhrmann, the CAP Coordinator, at capadmissions@udel.edu to inform her of your interest in the program. Ms. Fuhrmann will send you the application form for the program via e-mail. Follow the instructions on the form, complete it and send it back to us by fax, and we will begin the application process.

For More Information

If you would like more information about the MBA-CAP program, please contact Laurie Fuhrmann via e-mail at capadmissions@udel.edu

For more information about the MBA program at the University of Delaware, please visit the MBA home page at http://www.lerner.udel.edu/mba/ or contact Denise Waters, Director of Recruitment and Admissions for the MBA program at watersd@lerner.udel.edu.