Washington U / Olin MBA News

Published: August 27, 2024

MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE Requirements in 2024

Pursuing an MBA without the GMAT or GRE has become more accessible in recent years as many business schools have lifted this requirement from their admissions process. For many prospective students, avoiding the stress and cost associated with standardized testing is a major advantage. Below is a list of reputable MBA programs that do not require GMAT or GRE scores, making them ideal for candidates who excel in other areas of their application, such as professional experience and academic achievements. Quick List of MBA Programs Without GMAT or GRE: Babson College – F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business Georgia Tech Read more

Published: August 22, 2024

Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms

We’re back with another Weekly Refresh, in which we list this week’s admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: UCI Merage WUSTL Olin Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: Boston College / Carroll You can also bookmark our deadlines page for reference. Recommendation Questions Let your recommenders know, the following MBA program has released their Read more

Published: August 14, 2024

MBA Degrees & Majors with a STEM Designation

The past few years have seen a surge in business schools that run MBA programs with a STEM designation. MBAs, that is, that are now classified as a science, technology, engineering or mathematics degree. The new STEM MBA designation is promising students a multitude of new opportunities – but what is it, really? Read on to find out what a STEM MBA is, which schools offer it, and what this all might mean for you. What Is a STEM MBA? The structure of a STEM MBA is relatively simple. The foundational knowledge and core concepts of Read more

Published: August 14, 2024

Admissions Director Q&A: Mikale Elliott of WashU Olin

We’re back to Washington University’s Olin Business School with Associate Director of Recruiting Mikale Elliott in this installment of our Admissions Director Q&A series. Mikale spent her undergraduate career at the University of Missouri–Columbia studying business communication and gaining experience recruiting underrepresented minorities. After graduating, she took a non-traditional pathway working as a flight attendant for a few years. Eventually, she returned to higher education to work on an HIV prevention research project. Through all these pivots, the thing that brought her back to admissions was her passion for others from diverse backgrounds to Read more

Published: July 25, 2024

Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms

We are back with another Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site, as we prepare for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Vanderbilt Owen Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have rolled out: HEC Paris Imperial College London Business School The Ohio State Fisher USC Marshall Vanderbilt Owen WashU Olin You can also bookmark our Read more

Published: July 9, 2024

GMAC Common Letter of Recommendation Analysis for MBA Applicants and Recommenders

Applying to business school entails a great deal of work for prospective students – and almost as much effort for the people writing their letters of recommendation. An effective MBA recommendation provides rich information about the candidate’s strengths, key accomplishments, and leadership abilities. It’s also important that a recommendation fully address every question that is asked by the admissions committee. So, when an applicant is targeting six schools that ask different questions across their recommendation forms, this can translate to a great deal of time and effort for already-busy recommenders. To alleviate some of this pressure, Read more

Published: June 19, 2024

The Consortium Expands to 25 Member Schools

The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in graduate business education and American business, recently expanded to 25 member schools. The Consortium partners with top-ranked MBA programs across the U.S. to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in business education and corporate leadership. Following the addition of Duke Fuqua earlier this year, Chicago Booth was subsequently selected to become its 25th member school. A Long History at Fuqua In its announcement of the nomination of Duke Fuqua, Read more

Published: February 27, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs

If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores. The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic Read more

Published: February 19, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of U.S. Minorities at Top U.S. Business Schools

The percentage of U.S. minorities at top U.S. business schools can provide a sense of the diversity you will find in your MBA program. Business school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and self-identify as African American or Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic American or Latinx, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or those who are multiracial or multiethnic are considered a minority. See the percentage of minorities as reported by top business schools in the chart below. U.S. School % U.S. Minorities ASU W.P. Carey School of Business 26% Carnegie Mellon Read more

Published: February 14, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: International Student Statistics

International students statistics can showcase an element of diversity at leading business schools. In the chart below, see the percentage of international students at U.S. business schools. U.S. Business School % International Arizona State University W.P. School of Business 39% Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 53% Columbia Business School 47% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 42% Dartmouth College Tuck School of Business 33% Duke University Fuqua School of Business 47% Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University 33% Emory University Goizueta School of Business 49% Georgetown University McDonough School of Read more

Published: February 12, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of Women MBA Students

Over the past decade, the percentage of women MBA students has been on the rise across leading business schools. USC Marshall was the first leading business school to achieve gender parity while others have achieved or continue to strive for that benchmark. The Forté Foundation has also consistently reported that women are either gaining or holding their ground on b-school campuses–and, most recently, reported record highs. Look at the chart below to see the percentage of female MBA students at leading business schools around the Read more

Published: February 5, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.

In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more

Published: January 31, 2024

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Class Size of Top U.S. MBA Programs

Business schools come in all shapes and sizes and the class size of top MBA programs can be a factor in considering fit. From networking to a tight-knit culture to campus opportunities, class size can reveal much about an MBA program. No matter which program you choose, the top MBA programs strive to ensure relationship building during full-time b-school life. Some larger programs, such as Harvard Business School and CBS, mainly break the student body down into cohorts/sections/clusters of dozens of students. Other U.S. business schools, like Wharton, also have Learning Teams, groups of 5-6 students who Read more

Published: December 11, 2023

Real Humans of the Washington University Olin MBA Class of 2025

We continue with our Real Humans: MBA Students series by meeting some new members of the Washington University (WashU) Olin Business School MBA Class of 2025 in St. Louis. Eighty-three students comprise the MBA Class of 2025. Thirty-seven percent are women and 51 percent are international students. Thirty-four percent identify as underrepresented U.S. minorities. During their undergraduate years, WashU Olin MBAs averaged a 3.6 GPA. Forty percent had majored in business or economics. Thirty-nine percent pursued studies in natural science, engineering or STEM. Twenty-two percent had earned degrees in the humanities or social sciences. The Read more

Published: August 24, 2023

Weekly Refresh: Latest MBA Essay Questions, Analyzed – Plus Deadlines & Rec Forms

Welcome to Weekly Refresh, a roundup of admissions advice and updates on the Clear Admit site. In this edition, we round up the essays, recommendation questions and deadlines from the week of August 21st, 2023. Essay Tips Drafting your application essays? See the latest of our experts’ advice in our Essay Topic Analysis. The following schools recently released their essays—click for our advice: Carnegie Mellon / Tepper UCI Merage Vanderbilt / Owen WashU / Olin Deadlines Released See the admissions deadlines that have Read more

Published: August 10, 2023

Admissions Director Q&A: Mikale Elliott of WashU Olin

In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we welcome back Mikale Elliott, Associate Director of Recruiting at Washington University’s Olin Business School. Mikale spent her undergraduate career at the University of Missouri–Columbia studying business communication and gaining experience recruiting underrepresented minorities. After graduating, she took a non-traditional pathway working as a flight attendant for a few years. Eventually, she returned to higher education to work on an HIV prevention research project. Through all these pivots, the thing that brought her back to admissions was her passion for others from diverse backgrounds Read more

Published: January 4, 2023

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Cost of MBA Programs in the U.S.

In this edition of Real Numbers of MBA Admissions, see the total cost of a full-time MBA per year at U.S. schools. Tuition comprises most of the cost of each program. Other factors, including room and board, program fees, books and supplies, health insurance, transportation and other expenses, have been added to provide the total cost of an MBA in the U.S. by year. Most business schools provide a breakdown of the expenses, which are posted under the financial aid or admissions section of their websites. Schools also typically take the total cost of attendance into account Read more

Published: December 20, 2022

Real Humans for the Holidays: Winter Snow Edition

‘Tis the holiday season and we’re bringing you a festive short series inspired by Real Humans: MBA Students, called Real Humans for the Holidays! Read what students and alumni of top MBA programs like to do during the December holidays and their advice for our readers. Scroll down to see what five MBA students chose in a “This or That” game. You can also win a gift this season by participating in the Clear Admit Giveaway on LinkedIn! Jessica Berry, Wharton MBA Class of 2024 What do you like most about the December holidays? Read more

Published: November 14, 2022

Real Humans of the Washington University Olin MBA Class of 2024

Meet some new members of the Washington University Olin Business School Class of 2024 in St. Louis in this edition of Real Humans: MBA Students. 69 full-time MBA students matriculated at Olin in the fall of 2022. Women comprise 47 percent of the class and 49 percent are international, representing 18 countries by citizenship. U.S. students of color, which includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Black or African American, Hispanic, and Multi-racial/Ethnic, make up 49 percent of the class. During their undergraduate years, WashU Olin MBAs averaged a GPA Read more

Published: September 15, 2022

Admissions Director Q&A: Mikale Elliott of WashU Olin

In this edition of our Admissions Director Q&A series, we land in St. Louis, Missouri, to learn about Washington University’s Olin Business School. Mikale Elliott, Graduate Programs Recruiter at WashU, spent her undergraduate career at the University of Missouri–Columbia studying business communication and gaining experience recruiting underrepresented minorities. After graduating, she took a non-traditional pathway working as a flight attendant for a few years. Eventually, she returned to higher education to work on an HIV prevention research project. Through all of these pivots, the thing that brought her back to admissions was her passion Read more

Published: August 23, 2022

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of U.S. Minorities at Top U.S. Business Schools

The percentage of U.S. minorities at top U.S. business schools can provide a sense of the diversity you will find in your MBA program. U.S. minorities is defined as enrolled students at business school who are US citizens or permanent residents who self identify as African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian Pacific, or Asian Indian. See the percentage of minorities as reported by top business schools in the chart below. U.S. School % U.S. Minorities Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business 44% Columbia Business School 40% Cornell University SC Johnson Graduate School of Management 43%** Dartmouth Read more

Published: July 28, 2022

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Percentage of Female MBA Students

Over the past decade, the percentage of female MBA students has been on the rise across leading business schools. USC Marshall was the first leading business school to achieve gender parity while others have achieved or continue to strive for that benchmark. The Forté Foundation has also consistently reported that women are either gaining or holding their ground on b-school campuses. Look at the chart below to see the percentage of female MBA students at leading business schools around the globe. Business School % Women Arizona State University Read more

Published: July 12, 2022

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Class Size of Top U.S. MBA Programs

Business schools come in all shapes and sizes and the class size of top MBA programs can be a factor in considering fit. From networking to a tight-knit culture to campus opportunities, class size can reveal much about an MBA program. No matter which program you choose, the top MBA programs strive to ensure relationship building during full-time b-school life. Some larger programs, such as Harvard Business School and CBS, mainly break the student body down into cohorts/sections/clusters of dozens of students. Other U.S. business schools, like Wharton, also have Learning Teams, groups of 5-6 students who Read more

Published: June 20, 2022

Real Numbers of MBA Admissions: Average GMAT Scores at Top U.S. MBA Programs

If you completed the new GMAT Focus edition, now simply referred to as the GMAT, with a score ending in a 5, please refer to Coming to Grips with the New GMAT Scores. The analysis below refers to the traditional GMAT test. See where your GMAT score lands among the top U.S. MBA programs, as we report the average GMAT scores in the chart below. If you have yet to take the GMAT, you can also get a sense of what score you need to target. Business school admissions use the GMAT score as a sign of applicants’ academic Read more

Published: January 3, 2022

Real Humans of MBA Students: Washington University Olin MBA Class of 2023

We continue with our Real Humans: MBA Students series in the new year by saying hi to some new members of the Washington University (WashU) Olin Business School MBA Class of 2023 in St. Louis. 86 students comprise the MBA Class of 2023. Forty-three percent are women and 40 percent are international students. Twenty-five percent identify as underrepresented U.S. minorities. During their undergraduate years, WashU Olin MBAs averaged a 3.3 GPA. Thirty-seven percent had majored in business or economics. Thirty-six percent pursued studies in natural science, engineering or STEM. Twenty-seven percent had earned degrees Read more