Guide to apply
Guide
To Apply
Below are several critical elements that you must include with your application for admission into the Purdue-Kelley MS-MBA in Food and Agribusiness Management program.
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.
Deadline
The MS-MBA begins once a year in mid-August. The MS-MBA is on a rolling admissions system, with a final deadline of July 11, 2025. International applicants should apply as soon as possible due to Kelley School of Business and graduate school deadlines.
For more information, contact Taryn Nance, program manager.
Applications will not be processed until a non-refundable application fee has been paid. The Purdue Graduate School application fee is $60 (U.S. dollars) for domestic applicants and $75 (U.S. dollars) for international applicants.
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:
Campus and Program left side navigation link
- Select West Lafayette (Main Campus)
- Select Agricultural Economics as your proposed graduate major (PWL)
Program Details left side navigation link
- Select Food and Agribusiness Mgmt as your area of interest
- Select Master of Science as your degree objective
- Select Hybrid (online or off-campus location)
- Select your entry term and year: Fall 20XX
Education Background left side navigation link
- Applicants do not need to upload transcripts (more information in step 6)
- 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 – Self or Externally Funded” in regards to seeking a Purdue University graduate assistantship or fellowship
Test Scores left side navigation link
- Applicants do not need to list an official GRE or GMAT score (more information in step 5)
Diversity Essay left side navigation link
- There is no need to upload a Diversity Essay because you are not eligible for fellowships/funding, simply hit continue.
Within the application, you will be asked to provide names and contact information for three recommenders. One of the recommenders must be a direct supervisor, regardless of their monetary support.
Recommenders should be people that know your work; they are not character references. They should know that you:
- Have a proven record of excellence at a job
- Have been a productive employee
- Have the respect of your peers
Once you have submitted the recommender contact information, they’ll immediately be notified via email with a unique link specific to his/her recommendation. For this reason, it is critical to give recommenders notice. Some have missed notification because the email was caught in their spam filter.
Once they access the website, recommenders will see a series of questions regarding character. They will also be asked to: “Please include a statement about the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses and potential for success in graduate school.” The Purdue committee prefers an uploaded letter on letterhead rather than responding to the question within the text box.
Applicants will receive an email when the recommendation has been submitted, and can see when the recommendation has been completed.
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.
The statement of purpose should be seen as a business document. Do not sentimentalize it. It is critical to show the committee what you bring to the table. The statement of purpose:
- Should be no more than two pages (though the graduate school application asks for 300-500 words, the MS-MBA program does not follow this rule)
- Should be typed in a font 10 pt or larger, with 1.5 or double spaced lines
- Should cover reasons for wanting to study at Purdue and Indiana University, applicant’s professional plans, and ultimate career goals
- Does not need to be signed
Taryn Nance is happy to review purpose statements in advance.
All applicants are required to take the GRE or GMAT. However, the GRE or GMAT may be waived if you have completed an advanced degree.
For the GMAT, the minimum total score considered is a 500, but it is important that your quantitative percentile is at least a 30%. On test day, please select Purdue University – Indiana University – Kelley School of Business – MS/MBA in Food Agribusiness Management as a score recipient. For more information about the GMAT, contact the program manager.
For the GRE test, we recommend scores of at least Verbal 149 (35%) and Quantitative 148 (31%). Results should be sent to Purdue University (Institutional Code 1631) and Indiana University (Institutional Code 1324). For more information about the GRE, contact the program manager.
All applicants must submit two official paper copies of their transcripts or have one official copy emailed to gradadm@purdue.edu and one emailed to amthack@indiana.edu (Amanda Thacker). Transcripts must show receipt of an undergraduate degree, and the courses and grades associated with that degree. Applicants must also submit transcripts from any school they attended and earned more than 20 credit hours.
Unofficial copies of transcripts will not be accepted. Please use this Transcript Request Form to obtain copies of your transcripts.
Purdue cannot forward your application information until you download and complete the Release of Information Statement.
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.
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.
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 prior to uploading
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.
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 ronmart@indiana.edu (Ron Martin).
Purdue cannot forward your application information until you download and complete the Release of Information Statement.
