MBA Admissions Blog

At Georgetown McDonough, we designed our admissions process to recruit a competitive and diverse class and the elements of the application process help us to assess a candidate’s preparedness for the academic rigor of the program. We take a holistic approach in evaluation, meaning we take all aspects of your application into consideration.

A standardized test is required as part of the Full-time MBA application process as an assessment of your academic and quantitative aptitude and readiness. However, if you believe other components of your application demonstrate an above average level of quantitative aptitude which will make the admissions committee confident that you will be successful in the rigorous quantitative coursework, then you may choose to submit an application for a test waiver.

Candidates who are most likely to be successful in the quantitative rigor of the classroom have one or more of the criteria listed on our main website.

There are some things to consider and some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as you determine whether to submit a waiver

Will it hurt my chance of admission if I do not take the test?

Your admissions strategy should be to maximize your probability of success. For many, the standardized test can increase your chances. If you didn’t do as well as you would have liked as an undergraduate or you weren’t required to take many rigorous quant classes, a standardized test can prove your quantitative skills to offset the weaker academic side of your application.

However, for some people, the test may not increase or add value to your probability of success. Some people don’t feel standardized testing accurately represents academic ability; so while you did extremely well in academics at a rigorous institution, the testing environment is not your strength. For others, you may work in a profession that requires rigorous and highly quantitative skills on a daily basis (i.e accounting or statistician among others) so the skills you’re using are more advanced than the test would prove. Finally, some of you have trudged through the rigorous CPA or CFA exams and passed. So, for that, we applaud you and you may not need to submit a test.

I do not meet the criteria you suggested on the website, should I submit a test?

Whether or not your application is competitive for admission is determined by the competitiveness of the other applicants. The profile of applicants’ competitiveness varies from round to round and year to year. If you have doubts about whether your application does not meet the suggested criteria listed, you should consider taking a test.

Who is most competitive for a test waiver? 

Applicants who meet several of the listed criteria will be most competitive for a waiver. However, the number of criteria you qualify for does not by itself determine that you will be granted a waiver.

My application is average or below average as compared to your class profile. Should I take the test?

If your application components are average or below average and you believe a standardized test could strengthen your application, then you may want to consider taking it. 

Before I submit a waiver application, can you tell me if I would qualify?

We cannot pre-assess the likelihood of being approved for a test waiver. Instead, we offer the criteria we use for consideration. The test waiver application provides us the data and details to make a holistic review of your quantitative preparedness.  

If I am granted a test waiver, does this mean I’m likely to be admitted?

A test waiver is not a guarantee of admission, just acknowledgement of your quantitative experience. While you are not required to submit the test, you certainly can choose to do so if you believe it will help your chance of admission. 

How will I be evaluated for scholarships without a test score, and will it hurt my chances of receiving a scholarship to not submit a test?

Scholarships are used to build a competitive and diverse class. A standardized test score is one component of your application. A strong standardized test score can improve the likelihood of receiving a scholarship, but is not the only criteria. Scholarships are limited and competitive. So, it all depends on how your application compares to the rest of the applicant pool.

Do employers ask for a standardized test?

In some industries, like finance and consulting, some companies may look at your standardized test scores in the hiring and recruitment process as they seek the best talent. This is not always the case, but something you should further research and consider if you intend to go into those industries.

What could the admissions committee request if we feel we need additional proof of quant abilities?

We could ask you to submit a standardized test (GMAT, GRE, or EA) to demonstrate your quantitative ability. Furthermore, we reserve the right to request specific next steps to help demonstrate your quantitative ability. This could include showing successful completion (B or better) in a graded quantitative course (i.e. stats, calculus, accounting, or finance) or completion of a rigorous quantitative certificate program.

What would happen with my application if you ask for more proof of my quantitative abilities?

If we need additional proof, then you will need to submit the requirements we have asked for in order for your application to be considered complete.

Is the Full-time MBA test waiver a part of the application or separate?

For those applying to the Full-time MBA program, there is a separate application for a test waiver. Once you apply, you will be notified if you are awarded a waiver and then you may proceed with submitting your application.

If I have already taken the test, but I am not happy with my score, can I apply for a waiver?

If you have valid GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment scores, you are not eligible for a test waiver and you must submit those scores with your MBA application. Valid scores are no more than five years old from the time of submitting your MBA application.

What is the review timeline for the test waiver application? 

Once you submit your Test Waiver Application, you can expect a 1-2 week turnaround for decisions. Please view the policy page for additional details and dates.

I am a Consortium applicant. Which round should I apply through The Consortium if I want to apply for a test waiver?

Consortium applicants who wish to apply in Round 1 must submit a test waiver application by September 11th. Once you submit your Test Waiver Application, you can expect a 1-2 week turnaround for decisions. You will be notified of your test waiver decision prior to The Consortium’s Round 1 application deadline, October 15. In addition, Consortium candidates can apply for The Consortium’s Round 2 application deadline. A Round 2 Test Waiver Application deadline will be announced after the Round 1 deadline has passed.

I am a MAAP applicant. Am I eligible to apply for a standardized test waiver?

At this time, only those applying through the main application process with the required years of work experience are eligible to apply for a standardized test waiver.

What are considered rigorous quantitative classes?

It depends on the university and course description. Typically, intro to mathematics or personal finance courses are not considered rigorous enough. In most cases intro to micro and macro economics are also not considered rigorous.

Is this test waiver in effect indefinitely?

We will be implementing this policy for the incoming Fall 2024 class and will evaluate this policy for the Fall 2025 class by August 2024.

By the time our first semester fall break rolled around, I won’t lie: I was beaten down by every finance quiz, strategy assignment, and case reading that had come at us. Re-acquainting myself with fancy calculators and learning a new language (accounting) after many years in the nonprofit world gave new meaning to the number of things I could cram into a day. And to top it all off, my first-year class and I did this while trying to soak up every recruiting happy hour and Thursday evening Kegs.

I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what I was missing, but after just a couple of months of barreling forward on this fantastically colorful train that was business school, I was drained. That’s why, when an email announced the chance to take part in an MBA student retreat — a two-day respite from our lovely Hariri building where I spent all my waking hours — I jumped at the opportunity.

Every year, we evaluate our admissions processes to determine how to recruit a competitive and diverse class and how to assess a candidate’s preparedness for the academic rigor of the program. We take a holistic approach to the admissions process, meaning we take all aspects of your application into consideration.

Our Flex MBA program is designed for working professionals, thus, we weigh the application components slightly differently than our Full-time MBA program when we build our class. In particular, we focus more on the quality and quantity of work experience you have, given you’ll apply what you learn at work to the classroom and vice versa on a daily basis. However, your quantitative ability is also important, and there are a few ways you can demonstrate this ability. In some cases, a standardized test can show this ability, but in other cases the academic rigor of your major or institution; grades received in quantitative class; work experience; or other professional quantitative certificates you’ve had can also show this.

So, while we recommend applicants take a standardized test in order to be most competitive for scholarship and admission, we also have a waiver for candidates who meet certain academic criteria.

We know there are certain questions you might have as we implement this waiver.

If you love, or want to learn more, about how MBAs can drive environmentally-sustainable development, this is the course for you! Each week, we discuss a key sustainability issue by analyzing 1-2 cases in depth, such as furniture logging at IKEA or organic cotton clothing at Walmart. Each discussion topic is driven in a very lively manner by Professor Vishal Agrawal, who truly encourages students to challenge assumptions, raise controversy, look for signs of “greenwashing”, and find the hidden profits embedded in sustainable strategies. 

Whether you’re new to the topic or experienced in the field, you’ll find yourself surrounded by like-minded MBAs from all sorts of functions, sectors, and industries; I guarantee that you’ll learn as much from them as from the course material. To practice our analytical MBA skills, we build up a portfolio of three individual essays and one group project over the course of six weeks. In the individual essays, we’re guided with a series of questions that require knowledge from our core MBA courses such as Finance, Operations, Marketing, and Analytical Problem Solving; for example, performing an NPV analysis for obtaining LEED building certification. 

During my initial weeks at McDonough, I would often pause in astonishment as I realized that I was actually in an MBA program. Until a few years ago, I had never planned to attend a business school in the United States, so occasionally, I would be amazed that I’m really here. 

As with many international students, I, too, was anxious about many aspects of my MBA experience, primarily revolving around transitioning into a new city in a new country, job recruiting, and classroom academics.

The social experience really stood out to me. I was surprised at how many events are taking place both formally and informally. Beyond the school-sponsored events, students took the initiative to organize activities amongst ourselves. These events definitely helped me transition to my new lifestyle as an MBA student and also allowed me to explore the amazing place that is Washington, D.C.

The Georgetoen McDonough School of Business prides itself on its community. While the pandemic has taken a heavy toll on MBAs across the globe, McDonough made preserving and enriching their community a priority.

Kerry Pace is an associate dean of the MBA program, responsible for the whole of the student experience. She has worked at the university since 1997, focusing on graduate students for her entire career.

“Our students quickly adapted to the virtual learning environment at the onset of the pandemic, yet they were missing the connections with one another,” said Pace. “Our MBA team sought out ways to create that sense of community and support in a virtual world.”

Pace felt the pandemic had escalated the need for mental health and well-being to a critical point, and the university’s overarching philosophy of cura personalis was the core value needed to help students cope.

Building a community during your MBA program can give you lifelong benefits: after all, these are your peers and future coworkers. It is our human instinct to come together socially, but MBAs had to overcome even more obstacles during the global pandemic — finding themselves physically apart. Sherif Shabana (MBA’21) created HQHQ.ai, a student networking platform where MBAs can routinely be paired up and interact.

“The pandemic stole so much for the MBA experience and as amazing as the efforts were to overcome these obstacles, we saw the urgency to amplify the networking and mentorship experiences for students,” said Shabana.

This platform allows current students to be “on the market” for connections and professional relationships so they can pair up with colleagues for developing our networks at Georgetown McDonough.

Our application deadlines for the upcoming admissions cycle have been finalized!

Opening Term. If you say those two words to any former or current student at McDonough, they’re likely to elicit a visceral reaction as memories of rapid-fire classes, beginning the challenge of career search, community service opportunities, social events, and even the occasional couple hours of sleep play across their minds. Opening Term is your introduction to the MBA program at McDonough and it foreshadows the rest of your experience here. You work hard and you play hard, all while meeting the rest of your incredible colleagues and setting yourself up for success over the coming years of your MBA. So, given the excitement of all that’s about to happen, how do you prepare for Opening Term and how can you ensure that you not only survive but thrive in the early steps of your MBA experience?

Business leaders are asked to flex their communications skills every day, whether it’s to ask a board to change the direction of an organization, add investors to a new business, or to manage a difficult labor relations situation. That’s why Georgetown McDonough MBA students are asked to do the same as part of their Leadership Communications final exam.

Juanita Pardo Varela, a Full-time MBA student at McDonough, has been named one of Poets&Quants’ Best & Brightest MBAs of 2021

“I am very proud of fostering an international community and especially putting my Latin American heritage in the spotlight at Georgetown. As Vice President of International Students for the McDonough School of Business, I have had many opportunities to express the importance of an international perspective and have worked on different initiatives to enrich the student experience in understanding more about cultures, traditions, and leadership styles around the world.”

Like many great ideas and organizations, Fooblie Nutrition started as Melissa Antal Iftimie’s (MBA’19) class project. Fooblie educates and supports parents in their journey of feeding their kids and themselves. They help families from pregnancy through childhood and everything in between.

“Fooblie was something I couldn’t get out of my head,” said Iftimie. “I thought I could have it as a side project while I was continuing to work but it kept growing. I entered a lot of the pitch competitions at Georgetown and was nominated for the Leonsis Family Entrepreneurship Prize, which gave me both the confidence and money to get started.”

McDonough Professor George Comer has been appointed as McDonough’s first director of underrepresented minority (URM) student support, where he will work toward building a more inclusive culture throughout Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

"Having a position devoted to our URM students is vital to our DEI efforts ... and will have a tremendous impact on the broader business world through their [the students] continued success.."

I was just beginning to hear back from MBA programs when my fiancé proposed to me in Spring 2019. As excited as I was about both my proposal and offer of admission from Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, I quickly realized that I needed to come up with a way to minimize anxiety and stress and effectively manage working, going to school, and wedding planning over the next few years.