Remember that stress felt taking the SATs? It’s hard to forget the countless hours spent preparing for the test, only to forget what was studied shortly thereafter. Ah, the good ol’ days.
Fast forward to business school, and we’re talking GMAT and GRE. Now that the stakes are even higher, knowing that one test could have a significant impact on one’s education can make them feel like they’re in a pressure cooker.
There are other reasons why these exams are loathed, and it’s not just about the difficulty and the pressure associated with them. These tests can be expensive to take and prepare for, extensive time must be invested in preparation, and—in the case of many working professionals—it may have been years since they’ve last taken a test.
These fears and inconveniences might make some think twice about earning their MBA, but there are ways around it. Some programs out there do not require a GMAT or GRE score as part of admission or allow applicants to waive the requirement.
Below are a list of MBA programs in Washington DC that do not require GMAT or GRE test scores or allow for the requirements to be waived:
McDonough School of Business — Georgetown University
McDonough’s executive MBA and global executive MBA don’t require the GMAT or GRE for admission.
The EMBA curriculum provides the core principles of business theory and practice. Students learn decision-making, strategy and quantitative analysis, with an emphasis on international business and globalization.
Georgetown McDonough’s global executive MBA program is designed for professionals to learn how to lead in a competitive global marketplace. Students in this program have traveled to the following countries in recent years: Brazil, China, South Africa, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates as well as Vietnam.
According to Georgetown, the Admissions Committee does reserve the right to request a GMAT/GRE score to better evaluate an applicant’s quantitative skills, but expects students to hold full-time employment throughout the program.
Sellinger School of Business – Loyola University Maryland
Applicants to Sellinger’s executive MBA program don’t have to take the GMAT or GRE exams. According to the school, Sellinger’s executive MBA, the first of its kind in the Baltimore-Washington area and one of the first ten executive MBA programs in the country. Classes for this program are held Loyola’s Timonium Graduate Center on Saturdays. The five-semester cohort program is designed for proven leaders who have demonstrated significant career progression.
According to the school, the GMAT is waived for applicants to the executive MBA program, and may be waived for those who meet certain academic or professional requirements for other programs.
Robert H. Smith School of Business — University of Maryland
Smith’s executive MBA does not require the GMAT or GRE for admission. With classes beginning in January, the Smith EMBA emphasizes personalized executive coaching to hone the leadership skills you need. Foundation courses include: financial accounting & managerial accounting; data analysis and decisions; financial management; leadership and human capital; ethical leadership; managerial economics; global economics; strategic management; operations management; marketing strategy; corporate strategy; strategic information systems and integrative business simulation.
Because the GMAT is not a mandatory requirement, most applicants must have an undergraduate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0, 8-to-10-plus years of progressive professional experience and at least three-five years of management experience
Looking to expand your search outside of the Washington DC metro? Click here to check out our guide to MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT or GRE.
Still thinking about taking the GMAT and want to do a little prep? Click here to learn more about Veritas Prep’s GMAT courses and register to attend a one-hour seminar hosted by Veritas Prep’s course co-creator. This seminar will show you what to expect from the GMAT and how to conquer the exam.
For more information on the GMAT and GRE in Washington DC and other Metros see MetroMBA’s No GMAT and GRE Guide and Washington DC Programs that Don’t Require the GMAT or GRE.