Admission
What type of individual is considered a strong candidate for your Executive MBA Program?
A strong applicant will have a career track record of success, a high level of achievement, and be highly motivated. Our Executive MBA Program attracts senior and high potential managers, with an average of 10 or more years of professional experience.
Is the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Text) required for admission?
Applicants wishing to include their GMAT or GRE score in their application are welcome to do so; however, an exam is not a requirement for admission. Under certain circumstances we may require that you demonstrate you have the necessary quantitative skills to succeed in the program. If you've taken the GMAT or the GRE exam and feel the scores would strengthen your application, please submit them and they will be considered along with your application materials.
How long is the personal interview?
Typically, you will spend an hour in the interview.
Tuition
Is financial aid available?
For those students not receiving full support, student loans are available regardless of financial need. For additional information or a personal financial needs analysis, call Kyle Cronan in Olin's financial aid office at 314-935-6610.
Is a laptop computer required?
Although a laptop computer is convenient, it is not required for success in the program. Many students use desktop in the Knight Center conference rooms. Wi-Fi for laptops and other portable devices is available in the public areas on the first three floors and in the Alumni Pub in the Knight Center. Use of laptops during classroom instruction is at the discretion of each professor.
Sponsorship
Who typically serves as a sponsor?
Sponsors vary with the organization; they may be your supervisor, human resources director, or chief executive officer. It's imperative that your sponsor has the authority to approve your enrollment in the program.
Can I sponsor myself?
Yes, if you are self-employed. In these instances, we require a statement of self-employment along with two letters of recommendation.
What do you mean by the term sponsorship?
To be admitted to our program, you must secure one letter of sponsorship from your organization. Sponsorship means that your employer supports your participation in the program and is aware of its time demands. We also use the term to indicate financial support, which is not a requirement for admission.
Program Structure and Resources
How is performance graded?
The Executive MBA program utilizes a 4-level grading system as follows: high pass (HP), pass (P), low pass (LP), and no pass (NP). Most students earn Ps in their classes. Each class grade is a combination of individual and team effort on tests, presentations, and special projects—the exact breakdown of which is at the discretion of the course professor. Some test grades are numeric.
Is it okay to miss school occasionally?
To earn a degree in less than two years, you will cover a large amount of material in relatively short time. If you miss class, you will likely fall behind and find it difficult to catch up. We realize illness or that important family commitments may arise that might necessitate an absence. When this occurs, you may request a DVD of the missed class. It’s also a good idea to review missed material with your study group.
How many students are in a study group and do groups change membership during the course of the program?
Each study group usually has five to seven members from different industries and backgrounds. Changes to groups during the program are rare.
What happens if an emergency arises and I can't make one of the trips?
Permission to miss a residency is granted only in extremely rare instances. In some cases, students may be able to complete a residency with a different EMBA class; this option could delay graduation. Alternatively, students may make arrangements with the Director of Executive MBA Program and the program's Academic Director to complete a special project to compensate for the missed material and participation in the residency.
Can students take additional course work?
Current EMBA students may choose to take additional graduate business courses offered through Olin with no additional tuition charges, although they do pay for books and materials. Electives available to EMBA students are offered through the evening and full-time MBA programs. Students may also enroll in electives outside of Olin, but tuition will not be waived. Olin elective course listings can be found on the Web at http://www.olin.wustl.edu/courses and are updated each March and November.
What additional course benefits are available for alumni?
Complimentary elective courses through the evening and full-time MBA programs are also available to EMBA Alumni. EMBA alumni are invited to enroll in full-time or evening electives on a space-available basis at no charge during the two years following their graduation. Then, after two years, the regular alumni discount of 50% off evening tuition rates will apply. Olin Partners' Program (OPP) courses are available at a discount to alumni and are not included in the policies listed above. Alumni enrolling in elective courses are responsible for their books and materials.
Is the Executive MBA Program accredited?
Absolutely. Our Executive MBA program is accredited by the International Association for Management Education (AACSB), the world's leading accrediting association. To achieve and retain AACSB International accreditation, a business school must meet a wide range of rigorous quality standards, including an approved curriculum, quality of research produced, admissions standards, graduation requirements and the library and computer facilities. There is no national or regional accreditation more demanding or prestigious than AACSB International accreditation.
