UW MBA Consortium Updates Admissions Requirements; GMAT/GRE now Optional
Posted: November 1st, 2022
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. - Applicants to the highly-rated University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium Program will no longer be required to submit GMAT or GRE scores as part of their application; instead, the scores will be an optional piece of information students can include to strengthen their application.
This change to the Program's application requirements is effective immediately for all applicants, beginning with those applying for admission in the Spring 2023 term. The deadline for Spring 2023 applications is January 1.
Prior to this change, students could petition to have the GMAT/GRE requirement waived, but program leadership has invested significant time over the last two years evaluating whether the score needed to be a required part of the admissions process. According to Jessica Franson, managing director of the UW MBA Consortium Program, "Over two years ago we implemented a GMAT/GRE waiver process that allowed students to provide evidence of academic readiness in lieu of a GMAT/GRE score. Just under 75% of all students who were admitted since then were granted a GMAT/GRE waiver based on a variety of factors that demonstrated their preparedness and fit for our Program, including professional work experiences, career progression, advanced degrees, and professional certifications. We evaluated the success of students in our Program with and without a GMAT/GRE score and found no significant differences between these groups. This holistic approach to reviewing applications enables candidates to showcase their varied experiences and successes."
Applicants, however, should consider submitting their GMAT/GRE scores if they feel the information will enhance their application. Franson stated, "In some cases, a GMAT/GRE score can be a useful piece of information for a candidate to include in their materials to strengthen their application, which is why we are making it an optional part of the process."
Brewer Doran, dean of the College of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (the managing partner school of the campuses in the Consortium), agrees that eliminating the GMAT/GRE requirement supports the Consortium Program's goal of a holistic admissions process. Dean Doran says, "Eliminating the requirement for the GMAT/GRE will allow applicants more flexibility in how they present themselves in their applications and may be helpful to those who have been in the workforce for a number of years or those who don't typically do well on standardized tests. We will continue to practice holistic admissions, looking at the applicant's full portfolio, and the GMAT or GRE remains an option for those who feel it will strengthen their application."
The UW MBA Consortium comprises three AACSB accredited business schools within the University of Wisconsin System: UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, and UW Oshkosh. The 36-credit 100% online, asynchronous MBA program offers a flexible, high-quality degree built on the values of innovation, quality, collaboration, and partnerships. The Program's focus on core competencies and its rich array of electives appeals to students in a variety of fields, including traditional business fields as well as healthcare and engineering. To learn more about the UW MBA Consortium Program, please visit https://www.wisconsinonlinemba.org/. |
