WashU Olin MBA Deadlines 2025-2026
The St. Louis Olin Business School of Washington University has released the 2025-2026 MBA deadlines for applicants targeting the Class of 2028.
All applications are due by 11:59PM Central Time on the deadline date. Admissions are rolling after the Round 5 deadline.
| Rounds | Application deadline | Notification On or Before |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | October 5, 2025 | November 7, 2025 |
| Round 2 | November 1, 2025 | December 12, 2025 |
| Round 3 | January 5, 2026 | February 27, 2026 |
| Round 4 | March 1, 2026 | April 17, 2026 |
| Round 5 | April 15, 2026 | May 15, 2026 |
Required Materials
The completed online application must include unofficial copies of all academic transcripts and self- reported GMAT or GRE scores (optional), with official score reports sent directly to the university. Applicants are also required to submit a current, one-page professional resume and the essay(s). There is no application fee and, while applicants will provide contact information for one recommender, a recommendation is not required either.
Applicants may choose to submit an application without a standardized test score. The adcom notes that they will consider the following in lieu of a test score:
- They have a strong undergraduate GPA from a US institution.
- They have demonstrated quantitative skills in prior academic coursework and/or professional experience.
- They have earned an advanced or terminal degree (JD, MD, PhD or quantitative MS degree).
- They have earned a quantitatively oriented professional certificate (CPA, CFA).
- They hold (or have held) an officer’s rank in the military.
- Performance on an expired GMAT or GRE.
International applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. However, there are waiver conditions available based on citizenship or education.
Official transcripts and official test scores must be submitted two weeks before orientation begins.
The Interview
WashU Olin issues interview invitations. As part of the application process, applicants also complete a video interview.
MBA Applywire
Profile Review: Banking/PE Experience for INSEAD GEMBA (May '27) / LBS EMBA (Jan '28) – Consulting Pivot?
Hi all, looking for a reality check on my profile for top-tier EMBAs with a goal of pivoting into Management Consulting (MBB).
Background:
\* Age: 33 at enrollment
\* Current Role: Associate Director in a major Nordic bank (Corporate Banking/PE/Risk focus).
\* Work Experience: \~7+ years.
\* Current: Lead on liquidity strategy, PE value creation, and covenant restructuring. I manage high-value client portfolios day-to-day, though formal people management/team lead is handled by a Director.
\* Previous: Senior Analyst in Tier-1 US Bulge Bracket and Senior Consultant (Big 4, fast-track promotion).
\* Education: MSc in Finance & Accounting (Top Nordic BS).
\* The GPA Weakness: My academic GPA is on the lower side. However, I have a CFA Level I and have won some industry business cases while at Uni. I’m hoping my professional track record offsets the academic record.
\* Extracurriculars: Board member experience (Mensa/Non-profits).
Goals:
\* Target Programs: INSEAD GEMBA (Flex, May 2027 intake) or LBS EMBA (Blended, Jan 2028 intake).
\* Why MBA: Pivot from finance into Strategy Consulting (MBB) or PE (whom I advise daily).
Questions:
1. How much will a lower GPA hurt me at INSEAD/LBS if my professional trajectory is strong?
2. Does not having formal direct reports (but managing high-stakes client portfolios) hurt my candidacy for these senior-level programs?
3. Is an EMBA actually "consulting-pivot friendly" for someone already at an Associate Director-level in finance?
Appreciate any insights or past experiences from similar paths, thank you!
I’ve been in the cybersecurity space for about 5 years starting at a global Fortune 100 insurance firm before moving to my current org in the critical infrastructure sector. Currently a senior in incident response, I started as an intern. While the role is technical, my focus is on the strategic orchestration of response. Think stakeholder engagement, legal/PR/C-suite coordination, regulatory reporting, compliance, risk.
Outside of work I’m on the board of a non profit(not cybersecurity based), serving as the director of strategy and program development. I also volunteer to do pro-bono cyber consulting for NGOs, focusing more on the governance, planning, and strategic posture but also on other aspects of cybersecurity.
My academic path was non trad: BS cybersecurity from competency based program (pass/fail) then MS cybersecurity from NYU (3.6) working full time through both. Have a number of cyber related certifications, technical and non technical. Became more interested in an MBA last year.
Post-MBA, I’d like to transition into digital strategy consulting(MBB) and eventually move into private equity portfolio operations (focusing on tech strategy and value creation rather than the investment side). Given my professional and academic background which programs should I look into? Selected a few but don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’m in test prep right now for the GRE, targeting 325+.
Domestic ORM Male
BA Econ (T10 Public) - 3.46 GPA
MS Info Systems (T10 Public) - 3.50 GPA
Passed CFA L1 (L2 in progress)
4 years in Financial Reporting at a large asset manager (A2A promotion)
1 year in Investor Relations at LMM PE firm (potential promo to Senior Associate by application time)
Working on joining a reputable nonprofit ASAP to start gaining volunteer experience + potentially gain a leadership position
Post-MBA goal: Investment Banking (preferably NYC but open to anywhere on east coast + Chicago + Texas)
MBA LiveWire
They called, I missed it. I called back AdCom interviewer confirmed I was accepted
Received admission update early this morning indicating to check portal for decision letter. Still waiting on potential scholarship info
Interviewed in January. Received the call around 2 pm ET from the person who interviewed me.
Got an email that the decision was ready, says a more complete admissions package will be sent to me soon. Interviewed on 2/23