Application Deadlines
Currently, the College of Business is accepting applications for admission into the fall semester only. If you plan to apply, we strongly suggest that you not wait until the deadline, but submit the application well in advance. Admissions are competitive and made on a rolling basis.

Program Prerequisites
To be eligible for the Financial Risk Management program, all applicants must meet or exceed the follow criteria:

• An undergraduate degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  The College of Business requires applicants to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, or equivalent in undergraduate or graduate studies. If an applicant‘s cumulative grade point average is below 3.0 in undergraduate or graduate studies, a separate letter must be included with the application packet. This letter, addressed to the Graduate Admissions Committee, should be approximately a page in length and explain the circumstances that contributed to earning grades below the requisite 3.0 GPA.
• Satisfactory scores in GMAT/GRE
  The MSBA-FRM program accepts both GMAT and GRE scores. The scores in the quantitative sections are especially significant. Your application for the MSBA-FRM program is considered complete only after the official scores have been received. If an applicant takes the GMAT/GRE more than once, only the top score is taken into consideration. Test scores older than 5 years are not accepted.
  GMAT/GRE Waiver
  An applicant with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate work (3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours may be acceptable) and at least 8 years of full-time professional work experience that shows a progression in responsibility or a graduate studies degree may petition for a waiver to the GMAT/GRE.
  
  The GMAT/GRE Waiver Form must be completed, signed and submitted with your application packet that is mailed to the College of Business. The petition is subject to the approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee.
  
  Please note: If you are applying for a waiver, one of your three reference letters is required to be from an individual who can attest to the content and accuracy of your resume. The College of Business recommendation form has a specific question that is to be completed by this designated individual that must be answered if you are petitioning for a waiver.
• Completed undergraduate coursework, or equivalent, in:
  • Business Finance
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Calculus II
• Some prior work or academic experience with computer programming
• English proficiency
  If you did not graduate from an American university, you must complete a language proficiency evaluation. Colorado State University accepts both TOEFL and IELTS scores. Acceptable scores for the TOEFL are 565/227/86 or higher and a score of 6.5 or better on the IELTS is deemed acceptable.

If you are unsure whether or not you meet the program requirements, please contact the Department of Finance and Real Estate at (970) 491-5062 or finriskmgmt@colostate.edu

Application Checklist
Please carefully review the checklist below to make sure that your application for admission is complete. We are here to help you. If you have questions or need any assistance completing the application, please contact the College of Business Graduate Programs Admissions at (970) 491-3704 or gradadmissions@business.colostate.edu
Complete Online
The following documents will automatically be forwarded to the COB admissions office.

• CSU Graduate School Application Online Form
  Admission into the College of Business graduate programs starts with the completion of the University’s online Graduate School application (this form must be completed online). A $50.00 application fee, payable by major credit card, will be assessed upon completion of the online form. Your application cannot be processed until the application fee is received.
  
  url: http://www.graduateschool.colostate.edu/prospective-students/apply/index.aspx
  
  When completing the Graduate School’s online application, you will need the following information:
  • The department to which you are applying is the College of Business
  • BUSA-FNRZ-MS is the code for the MSBA-FRM Program
  • MSBA in FRM should be used as the proposed area of study
• College of Business Applicant Data Sheet
  All College of Business graduate program applicants must complete a College of Business Applicant Data Sheet that is available online. This form is important as it provides supplemental information not gathered on the Graduate School Online Application.
  
  Please fill the form out completely to facilitate completion of your application packet and the admission process.
  
  url: http://www.biz.colostate.edu/_layouts/forms/crm/applicantdatasheet.aspx

   

• Graduate Assistantship Application (if applicable)
  If you are applying for a graduate assistantship, complete the Graduate Assistantship Application. Priority is given to applications received by April 1 of each year.
  Graduate Assistantships are very completive, it is recommended you apply early.
  url: http://apps.business.colostate.edu/gradassistantshipapp/
• GMAT/GRE
  If you have not completed the GMAT or GRE, register to take one of the exams and have the test results sent to Colorado State University.
  
  GMAT
  url: http://www.mba.com/mba/thegmat
  phone: 1-800-717-GMAT
  
  GRE
  url: http://www.gre.org/
  
  The school code is 4075
  
  If you have previously taken the GMAT/GRE* but have not had your scores reported to Colorado State, request that your test results be sent to Colorado State University.
  
  GMAT/GRE scores must be sent directly to the University from Pearson VUE or Educational Testing Service. Do not include student copies of GMAT/GRE scores in your application packet.
  
  See application requirements for additional details.
  
  If a GMAT/GRE waiver is being submitted, include the waiver form in your application packet. See below.
  * Scores must be less than five years old.
• TOEFL/IELTS (if applicable*)
  TOEFL/IELTS scores must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service to the College of Business. Do not include student copies of TOEFL/IELTS scores in your application packet.
  
  To receive information on taking and evaluation contact:
  
  TOEFL Services
  Educational Testing Service
  P.O. Box 6151
  Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA
  http://www.toefl.org/
  (609) 921-9000
  
  Or
  
  IELTS
  http://www.ielts.org/
  
  *If you did not graduate from an American university, you must complete a language proficiency evaluation.

Application Packet
Send the following documents to the College of Business Graduate Admissions office in the below order.

Cover letter
Include a 1 page cover letter that:

• states your purpose for pursuing a graduate degree
• the value you feel you bring to the program

Current résumé
Submit a résumé:

• describing relevant professional positions you have held,
• showing the length of time for each position (including the month and year you started and left the position), and
• that includes a reference at each place of employment, so that we may verify your length of employment, position and responsibilities, if required.

GMAT/GRE waiver petition (if applicable)
If you are applying for GMAT/GRE waiver*, include the following petition form in your application packet.

url: GMAT Waiver Form

*Note: The waiver petition requires a verification of employment history by one recommender's comments provided with the application packet.

Official Transcripts
Include one (1) official transcript from each college or university you have attended that contributed to your undergraduate degree. These would include any course work that transferred into a degree program. Applicants must present a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university.

International applicants must submit one set of official transcripts and a degree statement with a certified translation into English from each college or university attended. Documents must show courses and final examinations taken, marks received for each year and degree or diploma received.

Note: When you receive your transcripts do not open the envelope in which they arrive. The official transcripts must remain in sealed envelopes and be included with your application packet.

Academic Performance Explanation
If an applicant's cumulative grade point average in undergraduate or graduate studies was below 3.0, and a separate letter explaining the circumstances relating to academic performance must be included.

The letter should:

• be addressed to the Graduate Admissions Committee,
• explain the circumstances relating to the past academic performance, and
• be approximately 1 page in length.

Three (3) Recommendation Letters
Three (3) recommendation letters using the College of Business’ Recommendation Form  Recommendations should be solicited from individuals who can objectively comment on your performance in an academic or professional setting. Usually these recommendations are from the applicant’s supervisor or manager, co-workers or peers, former professors or other individuals who are able to judge the applicant’s strengths as well as on-the-job or academic performance. Applicants are discouraged from using friends and relatives for recommendations.

You or the person completing the reference form may send them directly to the College of Business via:
fax: (970) 491-3481
email: gradadmissions@business.colostate.edu
postal mail:

Ms. Rachel Stoll
Colorado State University
College of Business Graduate Admissions
1270 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1270

Application Forms
CSU Graduate School Application Online Form
http://www.graduateschool.colostate.edu/prospective-students/apply/index.aspx

College of Business Applicant Data Sheet
http://www.biz.colostate.edu/_layouts/forms/crm/applicantdatasheet.aspx

Graduate Assistantship Application
http://apps.business.colostate.edu/gradassistantshipapp/

GMAT Waiver Form
http://www.biz.colostate.edu/degreesCertificates/graduatePrograms/Documents/GMATGREWaiverRequest.pdf

College of Business Recommendation Form
http://www.biz.colostate.edu/degreesCertificates/graduatePrograms/Documents/RecommendationForm.pdf

Application Submission
The College of Business uses a self-managed application process to allow you more control over the timing and completion of your application. You are requested to complete, gather and submit the application and all supporting documents in one package, if possible. Documentation that may come in separately are

• GMAT/GRE score reports,
• TOEFL/IELTS score reports, and
• transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions.

The Graduate School Application Form, which is to be completed online, will be sent directly to the College of Business by the Graduate School.

Mail completed application packets to: