Sponsorship
Admission
Program Structure and Resources
Tuition
Sponsorship
Q: Is corporate financial support required for the EMBA Program?
No. Although most EMBA students receive some level of corporate financial support, it is not a factor in the admissions process. About one-third are fully sponsored financially, another third receive some help, and the remaining third are self-funded. The most popular loan program for those paying all or part of the EMBA tuition is MBA LOANS® (www.mba.com).
Q: What do you mean by the term sponsorship?
Sponsorship—as distinct from corporate financial support—means that your employer supports your participation in the program and is aware of its time demands. To be admitted to our program, you must secure a letter of sponsorship from your organization indicating they understand the time demands, including the Week-in-Residence, two Fridays away from work each month, and the one-week International Residency in the final semester. You will also need two additional letters of recommendation.
Q: Who typically serves as a sponsor?
This varies by organization; your sponsor may be your direct supervisor, human resources director, or chief executive officer. It is important that your sponsor has the authority to approve your enrollment in the program and time away from the office.
Q: 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 from individuals who can assess your professional accomplishments to date and your likelihood for success in the EMBA program.
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Admission
Q: Can I be admitted to the program if I have less than five years of managerial experience?
Occasionally, we will admit a student with less than five years of managerial experience if his or her career path is well-developed in their desired profession and other qualifications are exceptionally strong.
Q: What do you want to see in the letters of recommendation?
Each of the two letters should address the applicant’s career to date, intellectual capacity, and potential for assuming increased management responsibilities and leadership roles. One letter should be from your immediate supervisor, and the other should be from someone who has relied on your work. The letters should be submitted on corporate letterhead and mailed directly to the EMBA Admissions Office, or emailed directly from the recommender.
Q: Is the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Text) required for admission?
Yes, we do require the GMAT. The GMAT score enables us (and you) to determine your relative academic ability within the applicant pool for performing in core MBA classes as well as to decide on your best pre-enrollment EMBA preparation. Either our complimentary online math/statistics course and/or complimentary EMBA Camp, held on Saturdays in July, may be required based on your GMAT score.
Q: Is a personal interview required for admission? If so, is it conducted in person?
Yes, an interview with the Associate Dean for Executive Education is a required part of the admissions process. It is conducted in person on the Vanderbilt campus or in conjunction with one of our regional Information Sessions, with prior notification and approval. Visit the Information Sessions calendar or call our office (615.322.3120) for an appointment.
Q: How long is the personal interview?
Generally you will spend 45 minutes in the interview. We will review your career to date, your academic preparation, and your motivation and fit for pursuing the EMBA degree. The interview is also an opportunity to discuss any questions you may have about the program.
Q: Must I submit my completed application all at once?
Typically, most application documents are submitted directly to the EMBA Admissions Office. As a result, we will accumulate all your admissions materials, and you can verify with our office whether your application is complete. The most important first step is to complete the online application, whether or not the sponsorship agreement is completed. Some candidates will await seeking sponsorship until after the interview with the Associate Dean.
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Program Structure and Resources
Q: How much time will I need to devote to the program?
Throughout the 21 months it takes to complete the EMBA, a typical student studies 15-20 hours per week outside of class and work time.
Q: How are students graded?
Our grading system is as follows: A = 4.0; B = 3.0; C = 2.0; and so on. Some test grades are numeric. At the beginning of each course, the syllabus will establish the criteria by which the course grade is computed. Please keep in mind that each class grade is a combination of your individual test scores and individual or team assignments, presentations, and special projects. A grade of 2.0 is required to graduate.
Q: Is it okay to miss school occasionally?
There are times when events dictate an occasional absence; for example, if you become ill or an important family or work commitment arises. However, in order to enable graduation in just 21 months, EMBA students must cover a large amount of material during class weekends. In those rare cases when you must miss a class, you must clear your absence with the faculty. In addition, someone from your study group needs to be willing to share class notes and handouts. You should make every effort to learn the missed material and prepare for the next set of classes so that you don’t risk falling significantly behind in any courses. Exams are not to be missed. Individual faculty reserve the right to refuse make-up exams. Some may allow for an early exam.
Q: How many students are in a study group? Do groups change membership during the course of the program?
A study group usually has four to five members, maximizing diversity in industries and backgrounds. The teams are composed at the beginning of the Week-in-Residence. Study groups remain intact throughout the entire program.
Q: Is the Executive MBA Program accredited?
Yes, our Executive MBA program is accredited by the AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is 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, a high quality of research produced, appropriate admissions criteria and graduation requirements, and a library and computer facilities. No national or regional accreditation is more demanding or prestigious than that of AACSB International.
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Tuition
Q: How much does it cost to attend the Vanderbilt EMBA program?
For the 2006 - 2007 academic year, the tuition will be $20,383 per semester. In Year Two, tuition will increase, historically by 5-8%. Tuition includes lodging for the Week-in-Residence, textbooks, study materials, on-campus parking, as well as group lodging and some meals for the International Residency.
Many students receive full or partial financial support from their organizations, but this is not a requirement for acceptance. Once you are admitted, a $1,000 deposit is required. This deposit is credited toward your first tuition payment. Tuition is paid in four equal installments during the time you are enrolled at Vanderbilt: September 2006, February 2007, September 2007, and February 2008. Student Accounts must show all tuition paid prior to graduation and tuition paid from a previous semester in order to proceed to the next semester.
Q: What is the size of the program?
The EMBA program enrolls between 55 and 58 students prior to each August intake.
Q: Is financial aid available?
Student loans are available for those who do not receive full financial support. Additional information is available through the EMBA Admissions Office and at www.mba.com (see the MBA LOANS® program).
Q: Does Vanderbilt offer any scholarships or grants for EMBA students?
No. Vanderbilt offers scholarships for the weekday MBA program, in which students are not working. EMBA students are working managers and executives who can fund their education through a combination of sponsorship or employer reimbursement, loans, and working cash flow.
Q: Is a laptop computer required?
Although a laptop computer is convenient, it is not required for success in the program. Most students do use laptops. In addition, EMBA students use a VOIP product and an electronic Blackboard to enable online meeting collaboration and updates from faculty and the EMBA office.
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