Christian Hartling

Graduate School of Business Admissions Checklist

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On this page:

MaineMBA – 100% Online

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a 3.0 cumulative GPA; 3.5 preferred.
  • GMAT score minimum of 500; 550 is preferred. GMAT waivers are available for qualified students.

Completed online application

  • All applications are reviewed holistically – exceptional career or leadership experience may offset weak scores in some applicants. Conditional or provisional admission is available. Please note– some concentrations have additional prerequisite requirements. The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

Writing Sample

  • A writing submission describing your career goals and aspirations to earn your MaineMBA is required. The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words in total. 

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

GMAT Scores -or- GMAT Waiver Request Form

  • All applicants must submit an official score report from the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT or a qualifying waiver with their application materials. 
  • Please include the completed waiver with your application materials if you apply for a GMAT waiver. Your other application materials should demonstrate how you qualify for the selected option.

MaineMBA – Low Residency

(Information about the Low Residency MaineMBA program can be found here.)

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a 3.0 cumulative GPA; 3.5 preferred.
  • GMAT score minimum of 500; 550 is preferred. GMAT waivers are available for qualified students.
  • Two years of post-baccalaureate professional work experience preferred.

Completed online application

  • All applications are reviewed holistically – exceptional career or leadership experience may offset weak scores in some applicants. Conditional or provisional admission is available. The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 
  • Please select the “blended/low residency” modality when prompted in the application portal.

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

Essay

  • The Low-Residency MBA is designed for professionals who seek both flexibility and meaningful connections. In your essay, please describe your career goals and explain how this hybrid format supports your leadership development and professional growth. You may choose to reflect on how you approach collaboration and leadership in professional settings, as well as how you envision contributing to the learning community during the in-person residencies.
  • The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words in total. 

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

GMAT Scores -or- GMAT Waiver Request Form

  • All applicants must submit an official score report from the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT or a qualifying waiver with their application materials. 
  • Please include the completed waiver with your application materials if you apply for a GMAT waiver. Your other application materials should demonstrate how you qualify for the selected option.

MaineMBA – 4+1 and Accelerated Pathway (for Undergraduate Students)

The Accelerated Pathway for the MaineMBA provides University of Maine System undergraduate students with the opportunity to begin MBA coursework during their senior year. Your first step is officially declaring your interest in the program using this brief form as well as informing your current undergraduate academic advisor. From there, you will be officially entered into our system, allowing Cynthia D’Angelo, your designated Accelerated Pathway advisor, to assist you throughout your journey. Please note, declaring interest is not an official application to the MBA program.

There are several key admissions requirements (GPA requirement & grade requirements are firm). Students must apply in their senior year for the term following the semester their degree is completed.

  • Be a current University of Maine student
  • Have completed at least 90 credit hours at the time of application
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Earn a B or higher in key undergraduate business coursework
    • Financial and Managerial Accounting 
    • Principles of Microeconomics & Principles of Macroeconomics 
    • Statistics 
    • Finance 
  • Meet the Graduate School admissions requirements (bachelor’s degree & 3.0 GPA in your last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework)
  • Please note – some concentrations have additional prerequisite requirements. 

Completed online application

  • The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made.

Writing Sample

  • A writing submission describing your career goals and aspirations to earn your MaineMBA is required. The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words total. 

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

GMAT Waiver Request Form

  • All Accelerated Pathway MaineMBA students must submit a completed GMAT waiver.

For information about the 4+1 MaineMBA for University of Maine students, please fill out this contact form.

MaineMBA/Maine Law JD

Admission to MaineLaw and the MaineMBA is required via a separate application process. 

Please note– some concentrations have additional prerequisite requirements. 

Admissions is streamlined for joint applicants. In addition to submitting a University of Maine School of Law Application, applicants should submit: 

Completed online application

  • The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. These contacts can be the same for MaineLaw and the MaineMBA. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

LSAC Admission Essay

  • You may use your LSAC admission essay for your MaineMBA application. 

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

LSAT Scores 

  • All applicants must submit an official score report from the LSAT and a completed GMAT waiver indicating the completion of the LSAT. 

MaineMBA/M.S. in Information Systems

Admission to the M.S. in Information Systems (MSIS) and the MaineMBA is required via a separate application process. 

Please note– some concentrations have additional prerequisite requirements. 

Admissions is streamlined for joint applicants. In addition to submitting an MSIS application, applicants should submit: 

Completed online application

  • The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. These contacts can be the same for MSIS and the MaineMBA. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

Writing Sample

  • A writing submission describing your career goals and aspirations to earn your MaineMBA is required. The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words total.  

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

GMAT Scores -or- GMAT Waiver Request Form 

  • All applicants must submit an official score report from the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT or a qualifying waiver with their application materials. 
  • Please include the completed waiver with your application materials if you are applying for a GMAT waiver. Your other application materials should demonstrate how you qualify for the selected option. 
  • For students already admitted to the MSIS, please select “option 1” o the GMAT waiver and include on your resume your program start date. 

MaineMBA/M.A. in Global Policy

Admission to the M.A. in Global Policy and the MaineMBA is required via a separate application process.

Admissions is streamlined for joint applicants. In addition to submitting an M.A. in Global Policy application, applicants should submit: 

Completed online application

  • The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations 

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. These contacts can be the same for the M.A. in Global Policy and the MaineMBA. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

Writing Sample

  • A writing submission describing your career goals and aspirations to earn your MaineMBA is required. The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words total. 

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current. 

GMAT Waiver Request Form  

  • All applicants must submit an official score report from the GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, or PCAT or a qualifying waiver with their application materials. 
  • Please include the completed waiver with your application materials if you are applying for a GMAT waiver. Your other application materials should demonstrate how you qualify for the selected option. 
  • For students already admitted to the M.A. in Global Policy, please select “option 1” for the GMAT waiver and include on your resume your program start date. 

Graduate Certificates

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a 3.0 cumulative GPA; 3.5 preferred.

All applications are reviewed holistically – exceptional career or leadership experience may offset weak scores in some applicants. Conditional or provisional admission is available.

Completed online application  

  • The entire application process is completed online. All materials should be uploaded to the Application Portal before submission. 

Contact information for three professional recommendations  

  • Please include these on your resume or attach them as an additional document. 

Transcripts of all Previous College and/or University Work  

  • Official transcripts will be needed once the admissions decision is made. UMS students do not need to request official transcripts. 

Writing Sample +

  • A writing submission describing your career goals and aspirations to earn your graduate certificate is required. The submission is evaluated not only for content but also for intrinsic writing quality and strengths. The piece is no longer than 500 words total.

Resume/CV

  • Please choose the format that works best for you. Be sure the information is current.

Additional Instructions for International Applicants

Important Update for International Applicants (F-1 and J-1 Visas)

Beginning Spring 2026, the University of Maine’s Graduate School of Business will no longer be able to support international students seeking F-1 or J-1 visas. This change is due to a transition from our previous in-person modality to a low-residency format that does not meet federal requirements for in-person study on these visa types.

Our final class of on-campus F-1/J-1 visa students was admitted in Fall 2025, and we will teach out all required in-person course components through Spring 2027 to ensure these students can complete their programs as planned.

International students who wish to earn the MBA or Graduate Certificates online from outside the U.S. are welcome to apply for any future term.

For students interested in studying in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 visa beyond the final Fall 2025 cohort, we recommend exploring our dual-degree options, such as the Global Policy + MBA track. Students who meet the live course requirements through an in-person program, such as Global Policy, may also complete the MBA concurrently in its online format.

Please note: deferrals beyond Fall 2025 will not be available for F-1 or J-1 visa-seeking students.

International applicants should follow the admissions instructions for the MBA or Certificate, with the following additional guidelines:

  • English Language Proficiency scores are required for all international students applying to the program unless the student has completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the USA or Canada (excluding Quebec province). There are no exemptions or waivers. Read more about the test requirements.
  • International three-year degree holders are considered for admission to the Graduate School of Business. These applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • WES or ECE certified transcript translation is required for students with transcripts in a language other than English AND/OR graded on a scale other than a 4.0.  

Funding Information for Graduate School of Business Students

University of Maine graduate business funding opportunities are extremely competitive and limited. Many opportunities require the filing of the FAFSA. For more information regarding Graduate School of Business Funding opportunities, please visit our Funding Website.

University of Maine Scholarship Opportunities

Graduate Assistantships

  • Many assistantships at the University of Maine require the completion of the Federal Application for Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. 
  • The Graduate School of Business offers a limited number of highly competitive graduate assistantships. When openings are available, applications are reviewed annually around the start of the new calendar year. If you are interested in learning more, please visit our Funding & Costs page for the latest updates.
  • Many other departments and offices at the University of Maine have Graduate Assistantships available to students. Students can read more about University funding here: Fund your graduate degree | University of Maine Graduate School (umaine.edu)
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