When you apply to the Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA Program, it can start your path to almost anywhere. Our admissions team is eager to learn about your career experiences, education, and perspectives—and partner with you to see if the +Flex fit at Kelley is right for you.
First step to +Flexibility: MBA application requirements
Full-Time +Flex comes with time to decide
Unsure if you want to spend two years on campus or +Flex your second MBA year? No problem. You can wait until the end of your first year to decide. There’s no additional application necessary to +Flex your second year. One application offers you the flexibility to spend two years in Bloomington or finish your second year taking classes in the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program.
MBA admission requirements
Your academic potential is a significant component of your application—and it doesn’t require an undergraduate degree in business. Our students are veterans, former teachers, scientists, as well as business professionals. Whatever your background, we expect you to:
- Understand algebra
- Know your way around a spreadsheet
- Have a baseline knowledge of statistics
As we look at applications, we’ll evaluate your:
You’ll need to provide transcripts with your cumulative grade point average from each institution you’ve attended and final transcripts certifying you’ve earned an undergraduate degree.
International students: You’ll also need to document that your degree is the recognized equivalent of a US bachelor's degree.
You can submit your scores from either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). If you take the exams more than once, we’ll consider your best scores and look for a balance of verbal and quantitative ability.
The curriculum of the Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA is academically rigorous. We typically require the GMAT or GRE as one demonstration of quantitative and analytic capability. In light of the recent challenges associated with taking standardized tests, candidates may apply for a waiver of this requirement and submit other evidence of their academic qualifications. We expect to award a limited number of waivers to candidates with otherwise strong qualifications. In evaluating waiver requests, we consider many factors, including rigor and achievement from previous undergraduate and graduate degrees, evidence of work experience requiring analytical and quantitative skills, and post-bachelor’s degree career growth including demonstration of leadership.
To request a GMAT/GRE waiver, you must complete the following two steps:
- Complete and submit our online information request form (to ensure that we have your most current contact information); and
- Submit via email (iumba@iu.edu) a current professional resume, your unofficial or official undergraduate transcripts (and graduate school transcripts, if applicable), and a brief statement (300 words or less) summarizing why you believe you qualify for a waiver.
You should receive a response to your request within one week of submission.
Most of our applicants are at least two years into their career. Your resume should detail your responsibilities, skills, accomplishments and leadership aptitude.
Kelley has a culture of collaboration, recognizing that successful leaders are also successful team members. Your community service, campus involvement, and career trajectory should demonstrate that you understand both what it takes to lead and how to work well with others.
We want to get to know you better! Take this opportunity to shine while demonstrating your:
- Communication skills
- Unique background
- Career goals
Let us know what you bring to the Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA Program and how joining the Kelley family will benefit you.
We request one letter of recommendation to gain a more complete understanding of your professional performance. Your recommender should be someone who can comment meaningfully on this. A current or recent supervisor is preferred.
Kelley MBA deferred admission for college seniors
Why wait? We'll save you a spot.
If you are a college senior and know an MBA is in your future, apply for deferred admission to the Kelley Full-Time +Flex MBA Program before you finish college. You can enter the workforce knowing your opportunity to get an MBA at a top-ranked school is secure.
Qualified candidates will be offered admission to the program on a deferred basis, with the expectation that they gain at least two years of full-time, professional work experience prior to enrollment.
Application information
As you finish your senior year, submit a complete application, including GMAT or GRE scores, by July 1. The Kelley Accelerated Admission Program is only open to US citizens and US permanent residents.
Application deadlines
Domestic and international* applicants
| Round | Deadline | Notification |
| First | October 15 | By December 20 Deposit due March 1 |
| Second | January 5 | By March 15 Deposit due May 1 |
| Third | March 1 | By April 30 Deposit due 4 weeks after notification |
| Final | April 15 | By May 31 Deposit due 4 weeks after notification |
*Given the time necessary to secure a visa, international applicants are highly encouraged to apply by no later than January 5, the second round deadline.
Kelley 2026 class profile
Class size: 103
Women: 28%
Minority: 21%
International: 46%
Average age: 30Average years of work experience: 6.3
Percent with full-time work experience: 100%
Average GMAT: 683
Average GRE: 319
Average GPA: 3.40
A Consortium School
As one of three founding schools of The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, we strive to enhance diversity in business education. Eligible applicants should complete the Consortium application instead of Kelley’s application to be considered for a Consortium fellowship covering full tuition and fees.
Promoting women in business as a Forté Foundation Member School
As a Forté Foundation member school, Kelley works to increase the number of women business leaders by awarding multiple Forté Fellowships to women entering our MBA Program each year. No need to apply—you'll automatically be considered.