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Explore Integrated Marketing Communications

What We Look For

Students in the IMC Full-Time Master’s program come from a variety of countries, schools and undergraduate majors. No specific major or prior coursework is required, but common undergraduate majors are communications, advertising, marketing, business, economics and journalism.

The following criteria are used to evaluate applications:

  • A record of strong academic performance
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and analytical skills
  • Full-time work experience or internship experience in a relevant field is strongly preferred for the IMC program
  • Applicants directly from undergraduate programs are expected to have strong academic credentials
  • An understanding of integrated marketing communications and how Medill prepares students for careers in this area
  • Evidence of the maturity and professionalism needed to succeed in marketing communications professions
  • Ability to work well with others on team projects in a collaborative environment

Additional considerations

  • The IMC program is an intense, professionally oriented program that requires enthusiasm and energy as well as maturity, reliability and commitment.
  • Students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of career options, some that are qualitative and communications-oriented and others that are quantitative and research-oriented. All students learn the fundamentals of IMC as a strategic process for developing integrated marketing communications.
    • Students interested in careers in strategic communications or brand strategy should demonstrate strong competencies in written and oral communications.
    • Students interested in careers in marketing research or data analytics should demonstrate strong competencies in quantitative analysis.
  • International students must demonstrate very strong spoken and written English-language skills via their interview, application essays and TOEFL or Duolingo scores.

What about average GPAs, GMAT or GRE test scores?

We review each application file individually and holistically, considering GMAT and GRE test scores and GPAs in context with the rest of the file, including essays, resume and recommendations. We look at your undergraduate transcripts not only for the overall GPA, but also for the courses you took and how you performed in them. We also look closely at your resume and strongly consider your interview in order to understand what you might contribute to your classmates' understanding of complex contemporary marketing and branding issues.