What strategic advantage does Walton College have?

The Walton College of Business is located thirty minutes away from the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart.  In the past twenty years, over 300 Fortune 500 companies have located offices in Northwest Arkansas to support and have access to Wal-Mart.  From Kraft to Unilever, Revlon to Newell-Rubbermaid, consumer packaged goods manufacturers have established a significant and lasting presence in our region.  Our partners among these companies provide Walton MBA students with unparalleled access to summer internships, part time employment during the regular semesters, and job opportunities both in Northwest Arkansas and throughout the world. 

Is GMAT required?

YES. All of our programs, both master’s and Ph.D., are competitive and selective. No application is considered complete until a GMAT score is received. THE MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS REQUIRES THE GRE, NOT THE GMAT. The Master of Information Systems will accept either GMAT or GRE.

Can I submit my application late?

Most programs will accept late applications but only on a space available basis. For full consideration for admission and financial funding, be sure to submit your application by the appropriate deadline. To see all program deadlines, click here.

Is Orientation mandatory?

YES. During Orientation, important paperwork is completed, you will register for your classes, and we make sure your lap top is ready to go. This is also an important time for you to get to know your new classmates.

Who should I get to write my letters of recommendation?

For most programs, we would like one academic and one professional reference. The third can be your choice. If you have been out of school for many years, we understand that it would be hard to get an academic reference.

Is work experience required?

For the MBA, work experience is preferred. The admissions committee favors those applicants with a minimum of one-to-two years of post-baccalaureate work experience.

What is the admissions committee looking for?

Each program has a different admissions committee and they each have different criteria. For MBA, most emphasis is placed on GMAT (600+), work experience, and GPA (3.0+) and for MMBA, GMAT and work experience are most important. The committee for the Master of Accountancy looks at GMAT (550+), GPA, Honors classes, leadership positions, and extracurricular activities. The Master of Arts in Economics committee is looking at GRE (1200+), GPA, and prerequisites (Cal I, Cal II, Linear Algebra, Micro and Macroeconomics, and Statistics. Cal III and Differential Equations are recommended). For the Master of Information Systems, test score, GPA, and prerequisites (computer systems analysis and a programming language) are important.

If I graduated from the University of Arkansas, do I have to submit transcripts?

NO. We have access to your transcripts (even transfer work) and you do not need to submit them to us.

Can I pay my application fee with a credit card?

Yes, call 479-575-2851 for assistance.

Is TOEFL required?

If you are applying for a master’s degree and completed your bachelor’s (or master’s) degree at an American (or other English speaking country) institution, TOEFL is waived. If you are a Ph.D. applicant, then YES, you must submit either the internet-based TOEFL or the IELTS.