How to Apply

We are now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 academic year. The application deadlines are as follows:

Start your online application now!

International applicants may apply for only the Priority and Early application deadlines to ensure accepted candidates have sufficient time to secure student visas.

All applications must be completed and received no later than 5pm CST the day of the application deadline in order to be considered. This includes application fees, official transcripts and GMAT score reports.

The complete application package for the Class of 2010-2011 includes:

• Class Visit

  • All Acton applicants are required to observe class before applying. While most past applicants agree that visiting class in-person offers a better experience and understanding of the program, you also may view class online through Acton's revolutionary video recording and review system. Please contact the Admissions Office to arrange a time to observe class.

• Completed Online Application Form

  • All candidates are required to complete our online application form. Applications that are completed by hand and mailed as a hard copy will not be considered.

• Responses to essay questions

  • Written essays should be single-spaced, limited to the word count indicated, and the question you are answering should be indicated on the top of each page. With the exception of the optional essay, all essay responses are required.

    1. Submit a video explaining to your future classmates why Acton's Admissions Committee should accept you over other qualified applicants. Hint: Describing the special talents and gifts you will offer your fellow classmates will help. (2 minutes or less) Please visit http://www.actonmba.org/apply/videoessay for complete instructions and to upload your video.
    2. Read "Stars, Steppingstones and a Hero's Journey: Finding a Calling in Business." Has your life been a Hero's Journey? How so, and why? (400 or less):
    3. Read "Questions for Discerning Your Calling" and describe the 3-5 most important questions you'll need to answer to find your calling. (300 or less)
    4. Our school is named in honor of Lord Acton, the 19th Century scholar whose study and advancement of economic, religious and political liberty are the heart and soul of entrepreneurship today. For you personally, is economic, religious or political liberty more important? If forced to choose, which would you give up first? Last? (300 or less)
    5. Entrepreneurs achieve highs from opportunity recognition. When we look at your application materials what "opportunity" will we see? (300 or less)
    6. Optional: Is there anything else you would like us to know about you? (200 or less)
• Three letters of recommendation

  • Your application includes three letters of recommendation, all of which must be submitted online through the online application system. Prior to requesting that your recommendation providers complete their recommendation online, confirm that they have a personal email address and access to the Web.

• Current resume

  • Submit your current resume detailing your educational history, work experience (including roles and responsibilities), community involvement and extracurricular activities. Limit your resume to 2 pages.

• GMAT scores

  • Acton requires all applicants to complete the GMAT before applying and self-report their score on the application form, as well as include an unofficial copy of the score report when they submit their completed application form*. Except in rare occasions, an application will not be reviewed if GMAT scores are not included.

    You may submit GMAT scores from the past, but they should not be more than 5 years old. Submit only the single best score report you have.

    In addition to your self-reported score on your application, please submit your official score report to Hardin-Simmons University, code N0H-2D-88.

• TOEFL scores (if applicable)

  • All Acton applicants must be able to fluently read, write and communicate in English. International applicants who were educated in a language other than English must show a fluency in English by scoring a minimum of 109 on the internet-based TOEFL. The Admissions Committee discourages any candidate with a score below this minimum from applying. You may submit TOEFL scores from the past, but they may not be more than 2 years old. A copy of your TOEFL score report must be accompanied by your completed application form. In addition to these self-reported scores, please submit your official score report to Hardin-Simmons University, code 6268.

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended

  • You must submit official paper transcripts from all undergraduate and post-graduate (full- or part-time) institutions attended. These transcripts will be verified.

    If you were educated at an international institution, you must have your transcripts evaluated by an international academic credential verification agency to confirm that your degree is equivalent to a degree from a four-year undergraduate program at an accredited U.S. institution.

• Nonrefundable application fee

  • A nonrefundable application fee of (U.S.) $150 can be paid by check or money order (payable to Hardin-Simmons University) or by credit card through the online application system.

• Interview (by invitation only)

Application Fee and Official Transcripts should be mailed to the following address. All other application materials must be submitted through the online application.

Acton School of Business
Admissions Office
816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1240
Austin, Texas 78701

Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you have any questions.

*In certain situations, other standardized tests, such as GRE, LSAT or MCAT, may be accepted by the Admissions Committee in lieu of the GMAT. This is determined on a case-to-case basis only.

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