Successful applicants possess intellectual curiosity, strong analytical ability, effective communication skills, and well-defined areas of academic interest that are connected to their career goals. Vanderbilt MBA students must be able to identify important issues, think critically, and express complex ideas clearly and succinctly. The highly interactive curriculum and wide range of experience that people bring to the school requires that everyone assume the role of student and teacher interchangeably. The Vanderbilt MBA program’s fast pace and challenging workload mean that all students must be able to communicate effectively through written and spoken English in a business context.
We rely on the applicant’s academic records and test scores to assess his or her ability to succeed in the Vanderbilt MBA program. The ideal candidate has earned at least a four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a top-quality college or university. A demanding course load in any field of study and a consistent record of high performance are desirable. Applicants who have taken courses or completed degrees in graduate or professional programs other than business administration also are encouraged to apply.
In recent years, applicants offered admission have had an average GPA of 3.3, GMAT of 660, TOEFL of 267 (computer-based test) or 630(paper-based test), and 104(Internet-based test). Demonstrated ability in college-level calculus, statistics, and other quantitative course work as well as mastery of basic computer skills ensure that incoming students are adequately prepared for graduate management study. Specific requirements for admission are detailed in the application instructions.
