Which MBA programs in USA offer GMAT waivers for admission?

Question

Nitin Chauhan · Accepted Answer

Several MBA programs in the United States offer GMAT waivers for admission, especially for candidates who can demonstrate strong academic and professional achievements. Here's a list of some notable programs and their waiver criteria:
1. MIT Sloan School of Management
Waiver Policy: Applicants facing challenges in accessing the GMAT/GRE can request a waiver by explaining their situation. The admissions committee reviews these requests individually.
2. University of Virginia (UVA) Darden School of Business
Waiver Policy: Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis, focusing on academic and professional accomplishments. Indicators include a strong undergraduate record, especially in analytical courses, advanced degrees, and significant professional experience.
3. University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Waiver Policy: Candidates can apply without a test score if they provide alternative evidence of readiness, such as a master's degree in a quantitative discipline, CPA or CFA certifications, or relevant professional experience.  
4. NYU Stern School of Business
Waiver Policy: Applicants who cannot take a standardized test and can demonstrate academic readiness through strong analytical or quantitative backgrounds, professional experience, or certifications may request a waiver.
5. Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business
Waiver Policy: Waivers are evaluated based on demonstrated academic readiness, including prior coursework and professional experience.
6. Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management
Waiver Policy: Candidates may request a waiver by submitting a short statement explaining their ability to thrive in the program without a test score.  
7. Emory University Goizueta Business School
Waiver Policy: Applicants can request a waiver by providing evidence of academic readiness, such as success in undergraduate coursework, relevant work experience, or professional certifications.
8. University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School
Waiver Policy: Waivers are available for candidates with strong undergraduate performance in relevant fields, advanced degrees, significant professional experience, or certifications like CFA or CPA.  
9. University of Texas McCombs School of Business
Waiver Policy: Merit-based waivers are considered for applicants with at least three years of substantive work experience and a strong academic record in analytical or quantitative coursework.
10. USC Marshall School of Business
Waiver Policy: Waiver requests require an essay providing evidence of exceptional academic achievement and quantitative competency.  
It's important to note that waiver policies can vary and may change over time.Additionally, even if a waiver is granted, some employers may still consider GMAT scores during recruitment, so it's worth considering how not having a score might impact future opportunities.
For more information i ndetailed, you can check out this: Top MBA programs in USA with GMAT Waivers

Supriya J · Answer

Many MBA programs in the USA now offer GMAT waivers for admission, catering to candidates with strong professional or academic backgrounds. While the specifics vary by school, GMAT waivers are typically offered to applicants who demonstrate substantial work experience, hold advanced degrees, or have exceptional academic performance.
Schools like MIT Sloan, University of Virginia Darden, and Northwestern Kellogg offer GMAT waivers under certain conditions. For example, MIT Sloan provides a GMAT waiver for its MBA Early Admission program, targeting candidates with strong undergraduate records and leadership potential. Similarly, Darden allows waivers for applicants with over five years of work experience or significant quantitative skills demonstrated through their academic or professional history.
Additionally, NYU Stern and University of Michigan Ross have embraced flexible testing policies. Stern offers waivers to candidates who show evidence of analytical and leadership capabilities. At Ross, applicants can submit waiver requests by showcasing professional achievements or prior academic rigor.
Executive MBA programs, such as those at Wharton or Columbia Business School, often waive GMAT requirements altogether, focusing instead on leadership experience and career progression.
When applying, ensure your profile aligns with the waiver criteria of the school. Highlight your leadership, professional growth, and quantitative abilities through your resume and essays. Always confirm specific policies on each program&rsquo;s website, as GMAT waiver policies can change and vary widely between programs.

Trivedi P · Answer

Many MBA programs in the USA offer GMAT waivers to make their application process more accessible, especially for candidates with strong academic or professional backgrounds. These waivers are usually granted based on specific criteria, such as years of work experience, prior academic performance, or exceptional leadership roles.
Let&rsquo;s highlight some notable schools offering GMAT waivers.

MIT Sloan School of Management: The MBA Early Admission program at MIT Sloan allows candidates to request GMAT waivers, particularly if they demonstrate strong academic credentials or relevant experience.
University of Virginia (Darden School of Business): Darden offers GMAT waivers for applicants with substantial work experience, advanced degrees, or certifications like CPA or CFA.
University of Michigan (Ross School of Business): Ross evaluates GMAT waiver requests for candidates with robust academic records, quantitative coursework, or significant professional achievements.
NYU Stern School of Business: Stern&rsquo;s Flex MBA program provides waivers for candidates with strong work experience or prior graduate degrees.
Georgetown University (McDonough School of Business): Georgetown allows GMAT waivers for applicants who can demonstrate strong analytical abilities through prior academic or professional achievements.
Indiana University (Kelley School of Business): Kelley considers GMAT waivers for its online MBA and full-time programs based on years of work experience and academic history.

Each program has unique eligibility requirements, so it&rsquo;s essential to check the specific guidelines on the schools&rsquo; websites. When applying for a GMAT waiver, focus on showcasing your strengths, such as work experience, certifications, or academic excellence, to demonstrate your potential for success in an MBA program."

Nityam Raghvan · Answer

Many top MBA programs in the USA offer GMAT waivers, making it easier for candidates with strong academic or professional backgrounds to apply. These waivers are usually granted to applicants who can show their readiness for the program through their work experience, past education, or certifications. Let&rsquo;s go over some popular schools that provide this option.
MIT Sloan, Michigan Ross, and Carnegie Mellon Tepper allow GMAT waivers if you can prove your academic or professional strengths. For example, Tepper might look at your math skills through previous coursework, while MIT Sloan considers certifications like CFA or CPA. Similarly, Cornell Johnson and UVA Darden allow you to request a waiver by explaining why you&rsquo;re prepared for their MBA program without standardized test scores.
Schools like Emory Goizueta, Dartmouth Tuck, and NYU Stern also offer waivers. These programs often focus on applicants with analytical work experience, strong academic records, or advanced degrees. UNC Kenan-Flagler and Georgetown McDonough follow similar practices, granting waivers to candidates with professional experience in quantitative roles or strong educational backgrounds.
However, it&rsquo;s important to note that each school has different requirements for waivers. Some might ask for an additional essay or documentation to support your request. Also, remember that while waivers help with admissions, some employers, particularly in consulting or finance, might still value GMAT scores during job placements.
Many U.S. MBA programs provide GMAT waivers to qualified candidates. To take advantage, ensure your profile aligns with their criteria and check each school&rsquo;s specific process. This option can save you time and effort while still allowing you to showcase your strengths through other parts of your application.

Akanksha Chandravanshi · Answer

You're in luck! Many US MBA programs offer GMAT waivers, but the criteria vary. Here's a breakdown:   
 Top Programs with GMAT Waivers:

MIT Sloan: Considers waivers if your situation prevents testing. You'll need a strong reason.    
NYU Stern: Accepts older GMAT scores (5-10 years) with a waiver request.    
Dartmouth Tuck: Requires 2+ years of work experience and demonstrated quantitative proficiency for waivers.
Michigan Ross: Offers waivers, often based on strong academic records and work experience.
Virginia Darden: Considers waivers for those with 3+ years of experience, strong academic background, and relevant certifications (CPA, CFA).
UCLA Anderson: Offers flexibility with accepted tests (GMAT, GRE, EA). Waivers may be possible.
Cornell Johnson: Waivers available; you'll need to demonstrate strong quantitative readiness.

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