International Applicants - MBA/MPA Application

After May 31, applications will continue to be reviewed, and space allowing, accepted on a case by case basis.

Application Process

The first step in the admissions process is to submit your application. Candidates should submit the application materials listed below, as they are completed for review.

Once your complete application package has been received, we will schedule an admissions interview with you. The interview is a conversation about your background, experience and interests, as well as an opportunity for you to ask questions about the program. If necessary, interviews can be conducted virtually.

Application Materials

MBA, MPA and Dual Degree Application
International candidates must complete a paper application and submit all application materials via mail.

Resumé or CV

Admissions Essay
In no more than three pages, tell us about an idea or a project that you are interested in exploring while at Presidio, how you would contribute to the Presidio learning community and how you plan to balance school, work and personal commitments while enrolled in the program.

Quantitative Assessment
Beginning with Fall 2013, applicants must include either GMAT or GRE test results taken within the last five years. Scores will be used as a diagnostic tool to help determine readiness for the program from a quantitative perspective.

1. Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) results taken within the last five years. Submit scores to Presidio Graduate School (Code: Alliant International University - Presidio Graduate School.)
2. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) results taken within the last five years. Submit scores to Presidio Graduate School (Code: 7838.)

If you would like to provide additional information on your quantitative skills, submit a one-page history and assessment including:

• All college-level quantitative courses taken, e.g. math, statistics, economics, finance, accounting or operations, and the resulting grades, or, if none taken in college, list the grades received in high school math courses
• Quantitative and analytical skills regularly used in professional life
• Any plans you may have for refreshing your math/quantitative skills prior to enrolling in a Presidio degree program

NOTE: The completion of quantitative courses such as Intermediate Algebra or Introduction to Statistics may be required at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

Two or Three Letters of Reference
Presidio welcomes professional, academic, and personal letters that provide a well-rounded perspective of the applicant. At least one letter should be a professional reference, ideally written by a supervisor. Applicants should ask references to briefly describe in what capacity they know the candidate and to address the strengths and challenges in as many of the following areas as possible:

• Values and ethics demonstrated in his/her professional and/or personal life
• Ability to work in teams, lead initiatives and manage projects
• Communication skills
• Business software and IT skills
• Ability and willingness to succeed in graduate-level coursework

Letters should be printed on organizational or personal letterhead and be no more than one page in length, if possible. Any references should submit their letters in sealed and signed envelopes for the applicant to include with the application package. No emailed or faxed letters will be accepted.

Two Official, Sealed Transcripts
Official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution must be issued and embossed by each institution’s registrar; and sealed by each of the issuing institution(s).

If you have completed graduate-level coursework, also submit one copy of any graduate transcripts.

If a bachelor's degree was conferred from an institution outside of the United States, official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution(s) to Presidio. The applicant must have the transcript(s) evaluated by a foreign education credential evaluation service agency. Additionally, if the transcripts are not in English, an official translation must be submitted. The evaluation must contain the following:

• Degree equivalency to a 4-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. university
• U.S. semester credit and grade equivalent for each course
• U.S. grade point average
• Master-level courses/degrees should also be included in the evaluation, if applicable

To locate an approved evaluation agency, visit: www.naces.org.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Applicants whose first language is not English must achieve a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL (internet-based test). Use Alliant code 4039 and submit test scores directly to Presidio. The English requirement is waived for those students from an English-speaking country:

Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cameroon, Canada, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua, New Guinea, Nigeria, St. Christopher, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Trinidad, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Financial Certification Form
If an applicant is not a U.S. citizen and has not been classified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a permanent resident, a financial certification form is required. Presidio requires the original Certification Form along with a current financial guarantee in the form of a letter from a financial institution showing the specific U.S. dollar amount per year available to the applicant and the duration of its availability. In addition, applicants must provide an original and most current bank statement. Applicants accompanies by other family members must certify additional U.S. funds per year for each dependent. Presidio reserves the right to require further certification of finances or advance payment of tuition and fees from students whose funds originate in countries where severe currency restrictions exist.

Additional Instructions

Applicants should keep copies of all materials submitted as part of the application. Admissions materials and all supporting documents become the confidential property of Presidio Graduate School and Alliant International University admissions departments and cannot be returned to the applicant.

Mailing address:
Presidio Graduate School
Admissions Department
36 Lincoln Boulevard
San Francisco CA 94129