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In continuation of the initiative taken during the global COVID-19 pandemic, top B-schools are continuing to offer GMAT Waivers for MBA aspirants during this year’s admission cycle. With more and more B-schools allowing candidates to apply for a GMAT waiver, it has become a ‘hot topic’ as B-schools look for alternate options like prior coursework, work experience, or professional certifications, which demonstrate the ability to handle the rigor of an MBA program without falling to the discretion of a standardized test.
Before discussing further criteria and eligibility, let us quickly look at the list of top MBA programs offering a GMAT waiver for the 2022-2023 admissions cycle, with the first round starting in September!
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| Sl.No | Name of B-School | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UNC Kenan-Flagler | The AdCom requires all applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver to submit waiver requests by the deadline for each round. Late submissions may be denied or moved to the next game. |
| 2. | Texas McCombs | The testing requirement is waived if General Test Waiver (merit-based) is approved. |
| 3. | NYU Stern | If you can demonstrate academic brilliance without a standardized test score, you may request a standardized test waiver for the Full-Time and Focused MBA programs. |
| 4 | MIT Sloan | Submit a request for a test waiver, and if and only If the waiver is approved and the candidate is admitted, no test will be required. |
| 5. | Cornell Johnson | Candidates applying for a GMAT waiver must be prepared to submit a short statement for - why they will flourish in our rigorous academic environment. (100 words |
| 6. | Virginia Darden | Waiver applications should be submitted 3-4 weeks before their target degree application deadline. The waiver applications will be evaluated case-by-case, and several factors will be considered while assessing these applications. |
Quick insights - For different schools, the AdCom requires all applicants seeking a GRE/GMAT waiver to submit their waiver requests by the test waiver deadline for each round as announced by the B-school. Any late submissions may be denied/moved to the next rolling round.
Now that you are familiar with the schools waiving GMAT for this year’s MBA enrollment, it’s important to understand how one can begin the GRE/GMAT waiver process.
Without any further delay, Let’s dive right into the pointers!
Steps to get a GMAT waiver for MBA 2022-2023?
Often enough, MBA aspirants are confused about whether or not their profile and other standardized test scores are good enough to cut a GMAT Waiver. Likewise, candidates also fear that a GMAT waiver might hamper their chances of getting into their target school!
1. In such a scenario, we urge MBA aspirants to follow these steps for initiating a GRE/GMAT waiver with any B-school.
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Understand the significance of the GMAT for your TARGET SCHOOLS and look at their criteria to get a GMAT waiver.
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Understand what qualities GMAT reflects in your application and how you can exhibit them with other aspects of your application
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Every school has different criteria for accepting case-by-case waivers; ensure you are well-versed with them!
2. Your PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE should be your biggest strength while applying for a Waiver.
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Professional experience is the best way to exhibit your decision-making, analytical and quantitative skills in a practical example.
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Make a strong case for career progression that reflects your professional growth and stellar leadership examples.
3. Bring DIVERSITY to your application.
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For anyone applying with a GMAT waiver for the 2023 intake, diversity is one of the most important aspects of your application!
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Highlight the diversity of perception, thought, and perspective, and highlight how differently you’re going to contribute to the MBA communities of your target school to put a strong statement in front of the adcoms.
4. Draft a unique & Stellar GMAT WAIVER LETTER
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Understand the formatting requirements of the specific program you’re applying to with a GMAT waiver by finding some examples of GMAT waiver letters that others have used successfully.
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Open with a Clear Statement to Highlight the Letter’s Purpose!
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Demonstrate that you have relevant skills to be reflected without appearing for a GMAT through your professional work experience
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Add specific examples to support your claims.
We follow a unique framework to help applicants dig deep into their work experience, leadership potential, strengths, weaknesses, etc., and structure all their essays (including GMAT waivers) in a way that can bring the right impact!
Applying For a GMAT Waiver for MBA 2023 Intake Based on CFA Program Exemption
If you have a good level of achievement in the CFA Program, for example, having a specific group of the CFA Program(e.g., Level 1, Level 2) or being a charter holder, Congrats! You are eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver and even might be eligible for an additional course waiver. Top US MBA programs like Darden, Cornell, Duke, Emory, Dartmouth, John Hopkins, and many more offer exclusive exemptions for candidates who have cleared a specific level of the esteemed CFA exam to acknowledge their achievements by providing course waivers and other benefits! To know more about all the top MBA programs providing a GMAT waiver for MBA 2023 intake based on CFA program exemption, you can refer to our article on “MBA GMAT waiver 2023: CFA Exemptions”.
Applying for a GMAT waiver as an army veteran
Many top B-schools values the leadership and decision-making skills developed during military service and to honor their duty for the country, provides a GMAT waiver to all eligible candidates with a military background! Moreover, these B- schools offer a waiver for candidates with an army background to realize the value of diversity and thus want to include students from different backgrounds and experiences, making classroom discussions and learning richer in content!
Below are some veteran-friendly programs that value their military experience and support them with a GMAT waiver for their military background. These MBA Programs Without GMAT Requirements are-
| Sl.No | Name of University/B-School |
|---|---|
| 1. | Ohio State University- Fisher |
| 2. | North Carolina State University- Jenkins MBA |
| 3. | University of Arizona- Eller MBA |
| 4. | Western Michigan- Haworth |
| 5. | University of Miami |
| 6. | University of Cincinnati |
| 7. | Xavier- Williams |
| 8. | Syracuse University-Whitman |
| 9. | Pursue-Krannert |
That's all about the GMAT waiver for 2023! We hope this has helped you. However, if you seek an in-depth understanding of the criteria for your target schools and need help building a stellar profile with a bit of more personal and precise advice, feel free to hop on a 1:1 profile evaluation call with our experts, where we'll dive deep into your profile and help you understand your chances to top B-schools with absolutely honest feedback.
At MBA and Beyond, we are determined to help you develop a unique structure for each essay question providing step-by-step procedures to build a specific answer that would help you stand out among the crowd! We are a team of expert consultants who follow a unique process to achieve maximum efficiency, quality, and interaction, ensuring a 100% unique and authentic application!
Good luck!
MBAandBeyond
