Florida State University College of Business has made the GMAT optional for all of its master’s programs, effective for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2023. This is in line with a growing trend among business schools across the country, as they recognize that there are many other factors that can be used to assess a student’s potential for success, such as academic transcripts, work experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
In a recent development, FSU has decided to eliminate the GMAT requirement for exceptionally qualified applicants who possess outstanding academic records or substantial professional experience.
The university offers a selection of six master’s degree programs, including:
On-campus Master of Accounting (MAcc)
On-campus or online Master of Business Administration (MBA)
On-campus Master of Science in Business Analytics (MS-BA)
On-campus Master of Science in Finance (MSF)
Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MS-MIS)
Online Master of Science in Risk Management and Insurance (MS-RMI).
FSU’s verdict on optional GMAT
Students still have the option to submit GMAT or GRE scores to strengthen their applications, but it’s important to note that any test scores provided will be considered as part of the application and will influence the college’s admission decision. Kathleen McCullough, the college’s Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Kathryn Magee Kip Professor in Risk Management and Insurance, expressed the college’s satisfaction in aligning with similar institutions by adopting a GMAT-optional policy for prospective master’s program applicants. McCullough emphasized the college’s commitment to a holistic application review process, focusing on factors such as academic records, professional experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statements as robust indicators of student potential and success.
Why are colleges making GMAT optional?
Some schools have made the GMAT optional in recent years, while others have eliminated it altogether. There are a few reasons why business schools are making the GMAT optional.
- The schools want to attract a more diverse student body. The GMAT has been criticized for being biased against certain groups of students, such as women and minorities. By making the GMAT optional, business schools can make their programs more accessible to a wider range of students.
- The school wants to focus on other factors that are more predictive of student success. Research has shown that a student’s academic transcripts and work experience are better predictors of success in business school than the GMAT.
More colleges making the verdict to make the GMAT optional
Here is a list of other colleges that have made the GMAT optional for all or some of their master’s programs in business:
- Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
- Columbia University Business School
- Harvard Business School
- Indiana University Kelley School of Business
- Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
- MIT Sloan School of Management
- Stanford Graduate School of Business
- UCLA Anderson School of Management
- Yale School of Management
This list is not exhaustive, and more schools are making the GMAT optional all the time. It is important to check with the school you are interested in to see if the GMAT is required.
Tips to enhance your application without a GMAT
Here are some tips for submitting a competitive application to a business school without a GMAT score:
- Make sure your academic transcripts are strong.
- Get relevant work experience.
- Write strong letters of recommendation.
- Write a compelling personal statement.
- Highlight your other strengths and accomplishments.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of getting accepted into a business school without a GMAT score.
Conclusion
The GMAT is becoming increasingly optional for master’s programs in business. This is due to a number of factors, including the desire to attract a more diverse student body and the focus on other factors that are more predictive of student success, such as academic transcripts and work experience. If you choose not to submit a GMAT score, you should focus on other parts of your application, such as your academic transcripts, work experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. You should also highlight your other strengths and accomplishments.