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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)
- Standardized test or approved test waiver
- Career essay
- 2 professional recommendations*
- Résumé
- Personal interview
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
For the Vanderbilt Executive MBA Program, we accept the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment or an approved test waiver.
Test Waiver:
Applicants interested in a standardized test waiver must complete the test waiver request form prior to the application round deadline.
Applicants who demonstrate multiple examples of academic and quantitative aptitude are more likely to receive a waiver. Examples of relevant quantitative success include, but are not limited to:
- strong performance in previous quantitative and analytical coursework at the undergraduate or graduate level
- professional work experience with proven quantitative or analytical experience
- earning a CPA or CFA certification or additional professional certification
- successful completion of MBA Math with a grade of 80 or higher
There are some important factors to consider before requesting a test waiver:
- We cannot offer a test waiver if you have already submitted a self-reported or official GMAT, GRE, or EA test score to Vanderbilt University.
- Applicants are evaluated for a test waiver once per cycle and we are unable to accept appeal requests.
An approved test waiver is not an admissions decision or an indication of an admissions decision.
Standardized Test:
Vanderbilt accepts the GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment.
Most Executive MBA candidates who submit a standardized test opt to take the Executive Assessment. More information about the Executive Assessment can be found in the FAQ section.
An official test score must be requested by the applicant and received by Vanderbilt directly from the testing service to complete your application. Information on how to submit official test scores can be found below.
Applications will be evaluated with the test score(s) indicated at the time of application submission. If you are re-taking an exam, it is your responsibility to update the Admissions Office via email of any new test score you wish to be included in the application evaluation and request the new official test score be sent to Vanderbilt. Please note the timing of the receipt of an official test score could affect when your decision is released.
Evaluative Interview
Interviews are an essential component of the application and are conducted by members of our team. The evaluative interview is an opportunity for you to share your:
- Background, professional experience, and career progression
- 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 | November 14, 2025 |
| Round 2 Application Deadline | January 31, 2026 |
| Round 3 Application Deadline (Nonprofit Scholarship Deadline) | March 31, 2026 |
| Round 4 Application Deadline | May 31, 2026 |
Admissions decisions are typically given to applicants within two weeks of receipt of a completed application.
Applications are accepted and reviewed after May 31, 2026, on a rolling basis. Apply by the Round 4 deadline for priority consideration for merit-based scholarship.
FAQ
How to Apply
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.
Q. Do I have to submit my completed application all at once?
A.
Application documents are submitted online directly to the Vanderbilt Business Admissions Team. 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.
Q. What are the benefits of the Executive Assessment (EA)?
A.
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 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.