1. Online Application

• Complete the online application by the submission deadline for the round you choose to apply.
• You cannot access our application from the ApplyTexas site. You must go to our website and click the orange “Apply now” button. If you are a first-time user, please create an account/EID.

2. Transcripts

• When filling out your application, you must upload transcripts (PDF format only) of all higher education institutions you have attended. This is sufficient for our admissions committee to review your application.
• Once you submit your application and pay your application fee, you will have to send official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

3. Official Test Scores

GRE or GMAT

Beginning with the 2023-24 admissions cycle, we are pleased to announce that GMAT and GRE test scores are now optional for the Texas McCombs Master of Science Programs. Applicants will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process if they do not submit test scores, and applicants who feel that their test scores reflect their potential for success in graduate school may submit scores for consideration.

If you opt to submit GMAT, GMAT Focus or GRE scores, you will need to provide your test scores in order to submit your application. While the official score report may reach the Graduate School after we have received your application, you will not be able to submit unless you have entered your scores and at least uploaded an unofficial score report. Read more about optional test score submissions on our blog.

If you opt to submit test scores:

• Test scores must be received before the round deadline. On the application, you will upload a PDF of your score report. Self-reported scores are considered unofficial but will be used to review your application.
• You must send your official test scores to our Office of Graduate Admissions. Please be aware that it will take 4-6 weeks for your official scores to get to the Office of Graduate Admissions. You can monitor your requirements after you apply on MyStatus.

Scores sent to our Office of Graduate Admissions must be sent to the University by the testing agency (self-reported scores are not accepted by the Office of Graduate Admissions). The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institution code for UT Austin is 6882. There is no institutional code for the IELTS examination. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

TOEFL or IELTS (English Proficiency)

• International students applying to UT Austin must submit either an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report demonstrating an adequate knowledge of English.
• The Institutional TOEFL (ITP) and the IELTS General Training are not accepted. International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or a qualifying country.

The requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s (but not a bachelor’s) degree from a similar institution. To inquire about your specific situation, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions directly.

There is no institutional code for the IELTS exam. To fulfill the requirement with scores from the IELTS, please use the IELTS electronic score delivery service to send your scores to the “University of Texas at Austin” account.

Test scores must be received and fully processed no more than two weeks after the round deadline.

4. Application Fee

The application fee is $65 for domestic applicants and $90 for international applicants. After you submit your application and get access to MyStatus, you can pay your application fee online through UT Austin’s What I Owe portal (UT EID and password required). After submitting your payment, return to your MyStatus page to confirm that your payment was received.*

*The Office of Graduate Admissions receives many applications per day; it takes 3-5 business days after submission to receive your application and apply the application fee to your account. The application fee does not need to be paid by the application submission deadline. If your application is submitted by the deadline at 11:59 pm CST, your application will be considered on time by the admissions committee and processed without delay. However, a decision cannot be rendered until your fee is paid. Frequently check your MyStatus page to pay your fee.

The MS Programs Office does not manage fee waivers or eligibility; that is conducted through our Office of Graduate Admissions. If you can’t afford the application fee and are a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident pursuing your first graduate degree, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.

• Fee waivers are not available for MBA or MPA programs or international citizens.
• If you are eligible for a fee waiver, do not pay the application fee when prompted. Instead, submit your application and indicate that you will pay later. Get more information about fee waivers.

5. Essays

All essays must be submitted with your aplication by the deadline. You cannot edit your essays after your application has been submitted. Please make sure your video essay is public and can be viewed by our admissions committee.

Essay prompts differ for each program and are required.

6. Letters of Recommendation

2-3 letters of recommendation are required, depending on the program. The most effective letters should emphasize the applicant’s quantitative skills and intellectual ability.

Helpful Tips

• When you are filling out your application, you will input your recommenders’ names and emails. You do not upload the letters yourself. Letters of recommendation are uploaded and received directly from the recommender via a secure portal, after your request.
• If you are applying to two MS Programs, you will have to request letters of recommendation for each program, even if you have the same recommender. Please be aware these letters should reflect your interest in the specific program you are applying to.
• We cannot review your application if you are missing letters of recommendation. Once your letters of recommendation are received, you will receive an automated email. If your recommender has not received your request, have them check their spam folder. You can also go to your application and choose ‘Manage Recommenders’ and send a reminder email.
• Letters of recommendation are due two weeks after the posted round deadline. If your letters of recommendation are not in two weeks after the posted deadline, your application may be withdrawn.

7. Resume

You must upload a PDF copy of your resume to your application.

Submit your application once all sections are complete. You can review the Office of Graduate Admissions MyStatus checklist to ensure all items have been received by the program. Pay the application fee within two business days after you submit your application.

You will need to upload your official transcripts again to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Read FAQs about submitting official transcripts to the Graduate School.

Not all applicants will require an interview for admissions. Any required interviews will be conducted virtually.

• You will receive an invitation directly from the program if you are selected for an interview.
• Interview invitations are sent in batches depending on when your application is reviewed. If your peers have received an interview invitation and you have not, please note that the program will contact you if an interview is needed.

It is not necessary to contact the program inquiring about an interview invitation. This could further delay the review process on your application.​

Provide an official transcript from every senior college you have attended. Even if courses taken at one institution are recorded on another college’s transcript, transcripts must be submitted from the institution at which the courses were taken. Failure to list all colleges on the application and provide those transcripts will be considered an intentional omission and may lead to the cancellation of your application for admission or withdrawal of your offer of admission.

If your transcripts are in a foreign language, they must be translated into English.

Scan and upload these to your McCombs Application online. After you submit your application, pay your application fee. This will be available two business days after you submit your application. Scan and upload transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions. You will need to upload your transcript twice. Once via the McCombs online application and once to the Office of Graduate Admissions after you pay the application fee.

All applicants must hold a four-year bachelor degree from an accredited university or an equivalent three-year degree.

The Office of Graduate Admissions makes the decision if a specific three-year degree is considered equivalent. Put your official transcripts in safe-keeping. If you’re offered admission and intend to enroll, you will send your official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

GPA

A minimum grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is required.

For applicants from an international institution, a comparable GPA will be calculated by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Your GPA is calculated using grades from upper-division course work (junior- and senior-level courses) and in any graduate-level classes. If your GPA does not meet the minimum requirement, or if you feel that your GPA is not a valid indicator of your ability, you have an option to address this in the Optional Essay section of the application. The Office of Graduate Admissions staff will determine GPA equivalencies for international applicants.

The most effective letters will describe the applicant’s quantitative skills and intellectual ability.

• The MSBA, MSF, and MSM programs each require two letters, one academic reference and one professional reference.
• The MSITM program requires three letters, two academic references and one professional reference. For MSITM, letters should also emphasize the student’s programming ability.*

Recommendation letters must be submitted by the application deadline to be considered a complete application. Letters of recommendation are received directly from the recommender via a secure portal. While completing your application, you will be able to send your recommender an invitation to access this secure portal to submit their recommendation. Once your letter of recommendation is received, you will receive an automated email.

*The admissions committee highly recommends this number of academic references. Professional references will also be considered.

Helpful Hints

1. Complete this part of your application first. This will launch email notifications to your recommenders and allow them to get started on the form while you’re working on the other components of your application.
2. Contact your recommenders ASAP to let them know they should receive an email as soon as you save the section. Sometimes these emails end up in a junk folder since they come from a Texas MS email address.
3. Monitor the status of your recommendations on your McCombs application status page to ensure they’re completed within a reasonable amount of time and by the deadline. You can resend notifications from within the application as needed.

In addition to completing the prescribed  graduate admissions process, international students applying to The University of Texas at Austin must submit either an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score report demonstrating an adequate knowledge of English.

Waivers

International applicants who are from a qualifying country are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

We can only apply this exemption to qualifying countries. Additionally, applicants are exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if they possess a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution or an institution in a qualifying country.

The requirement is not waived for applicants who have earned a master’s (but not a bachelor’s) degree from a similar institution.