Guide to Apply

Application Process

It is recommended that applicants contact the program manager before starting the application process.

The program requires only one application, which is submitted to the MS-MBA program manager. After application materials have been collected by the program manager, they are reviewed by a Purdue University Agricultural Economics committee. If approved, the application is sent to the Purdue Graduate School and the Kelley Direct admissions committee. This process can take up to four weeks. The GMAT or GRE does not have to be completed before beginning the application.

Completing the Application

The application does not have to be completed in one sitting—you will be able to come and go from the application with a user name and password.
In order to complete the Purdue Graduate application, it is critical that you follow these steps:

1. Within the application

Residency left side navigation link

• Select No, as the tuition rate is the same regardless of in-state, out-of-state or international student.

Campus and Program left side navigation link

• Select West Lafayette (Main Campus)
• Select Agricultural Economics as your proposed graduate major (PWL)

Program Details to First Choice Program Details

• Select Food and Agribusiness Mgmt as your area of interest
• Select Master of Science as your degree objective
• Select Hybrid
• Select your entry term and year: Fall 20XX

Education Background left side navigation link

• Applicants do not need to upload transcripts
• Undergraduate GPA should be very close to the actual number. For example, a GPA of 2.58 may round to 2.6 but not 3.0.
• Class rank not needed

Additional Information left side navigation link

• Faculty with whom you would like to study – leave blank
• Check “No, I am self-funded” for both questions under Funding

Add Personal History Statement left side navigation link

• Add your professional story — who you are, where you have been and why you’re interested in the program. There is no page or word limit.

Academic Statement of Purpose left side navigation link

• Upload your Personal History Statement in this section as well.

Test Scores left side navigation link

• Pull down the test(s) type and add test date(s)

Resume left side navigation link

• A resume upload is required for the MS-MBA application.

2. Recommenders

Within the application, you are asked to provide the names and contact information for three (3) recommenders. These are professional references, not character references, and if possible, one should be your direct supervisor.

Once you have submitted the recommenders contact information, they’ll immediately receive an email link from the Purdue Graduate School with a link specific to their recommendation. For this reason, it is critical to give recommenders notice, as some have missed the email due to spam filters.

Recommenders are asked to answer 10 questions and upload a letter of recommendation.

3. Resume

The application asks that you upload your resume. A resume for the MS-MBA program is quite different from a job resume. This resume can be up to 3 1/2 pages in a plain font, and should contain:

• Heading: Include your name, current home address, a personal email address and cell phone number.
• Education: List your graduation year, followed by major and minor. If you attended a college but did not get a diploma, do not list it.
• Experience: This section should begin with your most current employment. If you have had a promotion in that position, differentiate it. This will show the committee that you have moved up along the way. Use bullet points in describing your responsibilities, and if possible, use power words to talk about those responsibilities.
• Internships can be used on your resume, but mark the time spent in the position (for instance May— September 2009) and if the internship was paid or unpaid. Often, paid internships will count toward your time in the workforce.
• Leadership: If you have held different leadership positions as an undergraduate or in a community activity, list them and how they developed your leadership skills.

Do not provide references.

If at any time you would like the program manager to review your resume for you, feel free to email it before uploading to the Graduate School online application. Remember—once you have submitted your application and paid the fee, you cannot change anything.

4. Personal History Statement

For the MS-MBA program, the Personal History Statement is your professional story – who you are, where you’ve been professionally and why this program. Provide one to two pages at the most (there isn’t a word count minimum or maximum).

Taryn Nance is happy to review your Personal History Statement before uploading.

5. GRE or GMAT Exam

Applicants are required to submit a GRE or GMAT score; however, the requirement may be waived if you have earned an advanced degree. The application review committee doesn’t view one test in a higher light than the other.

GRE test results should be sent to Purdue University (Institutional Code 1631) and Indiana University (Institutional Code 1324).

If taking the GMAT, on test day, please select Purdue University – Indiana University – MS/MBA in Food Agribusiness Management as the score recipient.

6. Transcripts

Applicants must submit official transcripts showing receipt of a bachelor’s degree, listing the courses and grades associated with the degree. Hard copy or e-transcripts are acceptable. Please use this Transcript Request Form if having hard copy transcripts sent. E-transcripts must be sent directly from the university – one (1) should be emailed to gradadm@purdue.edu (Michelle Goodin) and one (1) to amthack@indiana.edu (Amanda Thacker).

7. Release of Information

Purdue cannot forward your application information until you download and complete the Release of Information Statement.