You will find here answers to some of the more commonly asked questions about the International Business School, its programs, and admission to the School. Click on the links below for the sections you are interested in.

If you can't find the answer you are looking for, please feel free to e-mail us your question.

International Business School		Admissions/ Finances - Standardized Tests: GRE/GMAT/TOEFL, scores - Other Requirements: Interviews, admissions travel schedule, work experience, economics/math requirement, course preparation - Chances of Admission: Factors in admission, admission rates - Finances: Expenses, scholarships, Assistantships, application fee waivers, loans
- About IBS: Our profile, Brandeis, graduate housing
Programs/ Careers
- Programs: Study abroad, part-time study, overseas experience, languages, exemptions, concentrations, cross-registration - Careers: Internships, alumni network, job search, job fields and locations

About IBS

What is special about IBS?

We are a pioneering, inter-disciplinary business school, focused on the global economy. Our strengths are in finance, economics and international business, and we have successfully prepared students for careers in capital markets, policy and international companies.

How big is IBS?

There are approximately 485 students from over 70 countries in IBS's four programs. We have 29 full-time and 30 part-time faculty, who also teach Brandeis undergraduate programs.

How well known is IBS?

IBS is a young school with a rapidly growing reputation in our distinctive international niche. We benefit from the general reputation of Brandeis University, which ranks among top US research universities.

Where is Brandeis?

Brandeis is in Waltham, Massachusetts, one of Boston's western suburbs. Waltham is known for high technology industry, moderate cost residences, and a popular restaurant district.

How far is Brandeis from downtown Boston and Cambridge?

Boston and Cambridge are 10 miles away, less than a half hour by commuter train.

Where within Brandeis is IBS located?

We occupy the Lemberg Academic Center and Sachar International Center in a wooded corner of the campus. The buildings have offices, classrooms, computer clusters and other meeting and learning spaces for students.

Is graduate student housing available?

There is limited graduate student housing available on-campus and priority is given to participants of the Study Abroad Program. Off-campus housing in nearby apartments is a popular option for graduate students.

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Programs

Can I study part-time?

Of IBS's degree programs, only the MSF can be completed part-time.

Can I study abroad?

All full-time programs offer study options at 19 leading business schools around the world. We also have a dual degree arrangement with Paris Dauphine University.

What is the international experience requirement?

MA and MBA graduates are required to have international experience. A student may meet the requirement by having lived outside the US prior to IBS, or can gain international experience at IBS through an internship or study abroad.

Can I be exempted from courses in full-time programs?

Students with appropriate prior courses may be exempted from required courses. However, if you are enrolled in a full-time program, you must replace these with electives.

Can I be exempted from courses in the part-time MSF?

The part-time MSF program allows transfer credit. Students may reduce their work at Brandeis by up to two courses if they were taken at a graduate institution, are equivalent to required courses at IBS, and were completed within five years with a "B" or better grade.

Is a concentration required in the Master's programs?

No, but the MA and MBA give students the opportunity to choose concentrations in international economic policy, international finance, or international business. Additionally, MA and MBA students can choose a specialization in Finance (Asset Management, Corporate Finance, Risk Management), Real Estate, or Marketing. Students in the MBA program may also choose a concentration in Socially Responsible Business. Students in the MSF program may choose either international investments or business finance or a Finance specialization.

Can I take courses in other Brandeis schools and departments?

Yes, within program-specific limits. Many students use this opportunity, for example, to improve language skills or satisfy prerequisite courses.

Can I take courses at other Boston-area universities?

Yes, there is a cross-registration agreement among several major Boston universities. This provides access to a wealth of specialized courses in many fields.

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Careers

Are internships available?

Yes. Students frequently obtain internships during the summer between their first and second years, and some even find time for internships during the academic year or the semester abroad. Assistance in obtaining internships is provided by the Office of Career Services.

Do you have an extensive alumni network?

Graduates have access to a loyal worldwide network that includes more than 2000 IBS alumni and 30,000 Brandeis alumni.

How do graduates find jobs?

The effort to identify career objectives and eventually employers begins the first day a student arrives at IBS with systematic support from the Office of Career Services. Career fairs, on-campus interviews and, most importantly, effective networking with IBS alumni and other contacts are the main avenues to placements.

In what fields do graduates work?

Since placements differ by program, our program pages provide more detailed information on career paths. Graduates typically work as financial analysts, consultants, financial executives, managers and policy makers in financial and non-financial companies, consulting firms, and the public sector.

Do most students work in the U.S. or abroad after graduation?

About 2/3 accept positions in the US, with Boston and New York representing high concentrations, and 1/3 in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

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Standardized Tests

Is the GRE or GMAT required?

Standardized test results are generally required for admission. For details, please consult the "Admissions" page in the program of interest.

Is the TOEFL required?

If you are an international applicant your application must also include an official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS, unless your native language is English, or you have studied four years for an undergraduate degree (or two years for a graduate degree) at an institution in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. For TOEFL score of 100 on IBT is usually required, IELTS a score of 7.0 is required. An official English translation of academic documents is also required.

What is the Brandeis code for TOEFL/GRE/GMAT?

The code for Brandeis IBS is 3122.

I haven't taken the necessary tests. Will my application be considered?

The committee normally reviews only completed applications.

What is the minimum GPA, GMAT or GRE score?
We don't require a specific score. The average GPA of the full-time master's students entering is approximately 3.3. The middle 80% of GMAT and GRE (average of three sections) scores are in the 510-660 range.

Other Requirements

Is an on-campus interview required?

No, but we would be delighted to have you visit Brandeis. Please contact us in advance to make an appointment (you may use our online form to choose a visit option and to sign up). We can make it possible for you to sit in on a class and to meet with admission representatives, professors and students. We also organize several information sessions at Brandeis during the year. If you cannot make it to campus, we encourage you to consider submitting a video interview. Please contact the Admissions Office to learn more about our video interviews. Interviews are recommended, especially for those interested in scholarship opportunities.

Can I meet your representatives in other places?

Yes, our admissions staff travels to many cities in the US and abroad (Please see our travel schedule). Our admissions office can also arrange for informational interviews with alumni and other representatives.

Am I required to have work experience?

Work experience is valued highly in our admissions decisions, but is not absolutely required in any of our programs. It is especially important for the MBA and MSF, where two to five years of work experience are strongly recommended.

Must I have majored in economics to apply for IBS programs?

Not generally, but it is helpful for the PhD.

Do I need a strong math background?

All of our programs are rigorous, and we strongly recommend at least a prior course in statistics for all master's programs. The PhD requires more advanced mathematics.

Do I need to have specific courses as preparation for IBS programs?

Yes, our programs require some prior undergraduate courses. Consult the "Admissions" section of the appropriate degree program page for details.

Am I required to have a master's degree to apply to the Ph.D. Program?

No.

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Chances Of Admission

What part of the application does the Committee consider most important?

The committee considers academic and professional background, test scores, recommendations, and professional objectives as outlined in your essay. The relative importance of these vary across programs, as explained on the program's "Admission" page.

What percentage of applicants is admitted?

Approximately 50% of applicants in the MA and MBA and 10% of applicants in the PhD have been admitted in previous years.

Can you give me an early assessment of my chances for admission?

Many factors are considered in admissions and we cannot give you an assessment before the process is complete. But we do respond quickly-usually within one month after the deadline by which you apply.

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Finances

What will be my total expenses?

Tuition for 2013/14 for all full-time programs is $43,988 per year, and for the part-time MSF program $4,280 per course. Living expenses are 12,000.00 for the 9-month academic year for a single student on a modest budget. Expenses generally rise 3-5% per year.

Does IBS award scholarships?

Yes, we have a generous aid program. Scholarships are available for our full-time programs, but not for the part-time MSF program. Please see the Tuition and Financial Aid page for further information.

Does IBS have Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships?

Yes. Limited TA and RA assignments are available, especially for PhD students. For MA and MBA students these are determined after you arrive at Brandeis, so you cannot count on receiving one in calculating your budget. There are also on-campus employment opportunities in various offices of the University.

Can international students qualify for financial aid and TA and RA positions?

Yes. Unlike many other schools, we are fully committed to a diverse, international population and offer financial aid and assistantships to international as well as US students.

Can you waive my application fee?

Unfortunately no - applications submitted without a fee cannot be reviewed.

How are scholarships awarded?

Our major scholarship programs carry recognition for merit in particular areas and are awarded to as many as 40 percent of entering full-time students. Still other students receive financial aid on the basis of merit and financial need.

How do I apply for a scholarship?

There is no separate application for financial aid from Brandeis; all admitted students are automatically considered for support. You need to apply separately, however, for funding from the US government and other non-Brandeis sources.

When do I find out about a scholarship?

At the time when you receive your admissions offer.

How do I apply for a US government loan?

Fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to apply for a federal loan. This form can be obtained on-line from the US government. International students are not eligible for US loans. The Title IV code is 002133.

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