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Applying to the Executive MBA program is a two-step process that involves completing an application and a formal interview. During this process, you will also be required to take the Executive Assessment (EA) or GMAT. If you have any questions about the process, the application, the EA or GMAT, please contact us at emba@vanderbilt.edu or 615.322.3120.
10 Reasons to Apply to the EMBA Program
Pre-Assessment
To get a better sense of your eligibility for the Vanderbilt Executive MBA program, we encourage you to submit your resume or LinkedIn profile as a pre-assessment. Our team will review your information and give feedback to help you determine next steps.
Program Requirements
To be considered, all applicants must provide:
- A complete, submitted online application
- Undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts, if applicable)
- Executive Assessment (EA), GMAT, an existing GRE score, or approved test waiver*
- Career essay
- 2 professional recommendations*
- Résumé
- Personal interview
*EA or GMAT test scores and professional recommendations may be submitted separately after your initial application. Please contact us for more information. Email us.
Personal Consultation
We understand that your questions and concerns are as unique as you are. Our admissions staff is available to help answer your questions and help you assess whether the timing is right for you to apply. Schedule your in-person or phone personal consultation now.
Transcripts
- We require a separate unofficial transcript from every college or university you are attending or have attended.
- If you are offered admission, you will be required to provide official transcripts from each institution you have attended.
- If you have not graduated, and your conferred degree will be issued later, please wait to order a copy of your official transcript. Official transcripts must reflect the date that the degree was conferred and the degree was awarded.
- If you cannot calculate your cumulative GPA or convert it to a four-point scale, leave the field blank. We will evaluate your academic record accordingly.
Undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts, if applicable)**
**Transcripts can be sent either via the postal service or via secure electronic delivery. In order to be considered official, transcripts and other documents must come directly from the institution attended. Some institutions provide secure electronic delivery of transcripts. These submissions may be made to CDM@vanderbilt.edu.
Transcripts sent via the postal service should be addressed as follows:
CDM-Owen
PMB 407833
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
Test Preparation
Every applicant is required to take either the Executive Assessment or the GMAT unless they have an existing admissible GMAT or GRE score.
Test Wavier: Schedule time with an EMBA team member to discuss your qualifications/desire to apply for a test waiver.
The Executive Assessment is designed specifically for our most experienced applicants.
What are the benefits of the Executive Assessment (EA)?
The EA is easy to schedule year-round at over 600 test centers, and test-takers can reschedule as many times as they’d like without additional fees, so long as they offer 24-hour notice.
At 90 minutes, the EA is much shorter than the four-hour GMAT exam and requires only modest preparation. The exam, consisting of three 30-minute sections with 40 total questions, measures skills that are critical both at work and in an EMBA program, such as higher-order reasoning, critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving. While the exam is geared toward busy professionals, preparation is still required.
Who qualifies to take the Executive Assessment instead of the GMAT exam?
All candidates interested in taking the EA should contact the Vanderbilt EMBA admissions team to confirm their eligibility. Professionals with eight to 10 years of experience in management – on a project, budget, or personnel level – are considered best-suited to take the EA instead of the GMAT exam.
When does it make sense to take the Executive Assessment instead of the GMAT exam?
EA-eligible candidates should review the scope of their search before registering for any exam. The EA might not be the right choice for those considering multiple program types (Executive, Full-time, Part-time, etc.) and/or multiple programs that don’t accept the EA. The Vanderbilt EMBA admissions team is happy to help all candidates weigh their options.
Complimentary test preparation resources are available to qualified submitted applicants. Contact us to find out if you qualify.
Personal Interview
The required interview with the Executive Director is an opportunity for you to share your:
- Background, professional experience, and career progression
- Academic preparation (college and post-grad)
- Current role, including proven leadership, and management skills
- Ability to apply the program’s content to your organization
- Potential contributions to the classroom and C-Team
Admissions Deadline
We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
| IMPORTANT DATES | |
|---|---|
| Round 1 Application Deadline | January 31, 2025 |
| Round 2 Application Deadline (Nonprofit Scholarship Deadline) | March 31, 2025 |
| Round 3 Application Deadline* | May 31, 2025 |
Decisions are typically given to applicants within two weeks of receipt of a complete, submitted application.
*Applications are accepted and reviewed after Round 2 on a rolling basis if seats remain.
Scholarship Deadline
We recognize that business school is a significant investment in your personal and professional development and are committed to helping students afford the cost of tuition by offering scholarships. While applicants may apply at any time, please consider these scholarship deadlines:
| Nonprofit Management Scholarship | March 31, 2023 | |
| Global Immersion Track Scholarship | May 31, 2023 | |
| Forté Fellowship for Women | May 31, 2023 | |
| Ingram Scholar Award Scholarship | May 31, 2023 | |
| Diversity Scholarship | May 31, 2023 | |
| ROMBA Scholarship | May 31, 2023 |
FAQ
How to Apply
Q. Do I have to submit my completed application all at once?
A.
Most application documents are submitted online directly to the Executive MBA Admissions Office. We will accumulate all your admissions materials and you can verify with our office whether your application is complete. The most important first step is to begin the online application. Some candidates will await seeking financial sponsorship until after the interview with the Executive Director.
Q. What do you want to see in the letters of recommendation?
A.
Each of the two letters should address your career to date, intellectual capacity, and current and potential leadership roles. One letter should be from the executive you report to, and the other should be from someone else who has relied on your work. We require that you use the online recommendation system within the application.