What Is An Executive MBA? Top Tips For Acceptance

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The best way to present yourself as a strong contender for a promotion is to earn an advanced type of master’s of business administration (MBA) degree: an Executive MBA. 

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An Executive MBA is designed for individuals who are in the middle of their career and looking to take their skills to the next level. Executive MBAs focus on developing leaders and equipping them with extensive knowledge of local and international business practices. If you’re wondering, “What is an Executive MBA?”, this guide will tell you everything you need to know, including top tips for acceptance into Executive MBA programs.

What Is an Executive MBA?

An Executive MBA (EMBA) program is geared towards experienced managers seeking expert business knowledge to advance their careers. EMBA programs have some similarities to the traditional MBA; the core educational content is the same, but instead of focusing on the fundamentals of business and management, EMBA programs focus on improving existing skills to help students take their management skills and knowledge to the next level.

The 10 Best Executive MBA Programs

In this section, read about some top EMBA programs from the US News’ List of Best EMBA Programs.

Columbia School of Business

Columbia’s School of Business strives to educate and foster the development of future business leaders who will add value to society. Columbia’s EMBA program is one of the best in the country, continually ranking in the top 10 of US News’ rankings. 

Columbia is also an Ivy League school, which is a group of privately-owned universities that are also among the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions. A result all of these elements make it incredibly difficult to get into Columbia’s EMBA program.

The EMBA program is primarily run through the Graduate School of Business’ main campus in Manhattan. You can choose from two options to earn your EMBA: the EMBA-New York Friday/Saturday or EMBA-New York Saturday. The Friday/Saturday option meets every other week except on holidays or scheduled breaks. The program runs for 20 months, and this option requires your employer to sponsor your time.

In the Saturday-only option, you will attend classes every Saturday except on holidays or scheduled breaks. This program takes 24 months to complete.

Both the Friday/Saturday and Saturday-only options begin in August and group students into learning clusters, which they will remain with for the program’s duration. Each cluster will be further broken into learning teams of five or six students, which allows you to work with a diverse, multi-disciplinary group from your first day.

Students in both EMBA program options will also complete their core curriculum requirements prior to taking any electives. The core curriculum includes corporate financing, financial accounting, managerial statistics, managerial economics, strategy formulation, leadership and organizational change, marketing strategy, operations management and strategy, business analytics, and global economics.

For those who do not live in New York City, there are other options to pursue an EMBA from Columbia. The EMBA-Americas option is open to applicants from the United States, Canada, and Latin America and only meets once a month for a week-long in-person session.

In-person classes are typically held in New York City, but week-long meetings in Seattle, Toronto, and Latin America will also occur in your first year of the program.

This program option runs for 20 months, beginning in January. Similar to the New York program options, you will take all of your core curriculum requirements first and do these in the same cohort structure. You will be able to pick your electives from a long list of global options comprising week-long courses, international seminars, and weekend electives.

There is also an EMBA-Global option available to those residing in other parts of the world. This program can be taken through either the London Business School or the University of Hong Kong. 

At the London location, your monthly classes will alternate between the London and New York locations. You will also earn two MBAs, one from London Business School and one from Columbia. At the Hong Kong location, your monthly classes will mainly be held in Hong Kong, but you will also attend some classes in New York, London, and Shanghai.

Your degree will be conferred by Columbia, the London School of Business, and the University of Hong Kong. To top it off, you’ll receive alumni benefits from all of the schools involved in these EMBA-Global options.

Columbia’s EMBA program is readily available to people worldwide, which also adds to the level of competition to get into the program. Its class profile best demonstrates the competition you’ll be up against when applying.

On average, the new class has nine years of work experience. Incoming classes are dominated by the financial services industry, with approximately 35% of all EMBA students coming from this industry. Other areas of the business world represented in a significant capacity include technology (11%), consulting (8%), healthcare (8%), marketing and media (8%), and retail and wholesale (8%). 

Columbia’s EMBA program has a fairly good balance between men and women in their programs, with women making up 45% of all incoming students. 59% of incoming students are financially sponsored in full or in part by their current employer, which is important for you to consider when starting your application. This highly selective program admits just 13.6% of all its applicants each year. 

If you want to attend Columbia’s EMBA program, you will need to submit the following documents with your application:

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• A sponsorship form signed by your employer, wherein they agree to minimize your travel time and release you from all work

• commitments on scheduled class days. Financial sponsorship is not required.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A 50-character response outlining the goal you have for immediately after you have completed your EMBA.

• Two letters of recommendation. Ideally, one letter should come from your current manager. Each letter should be no more than 1,000 words in length.

• A valid GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score from a test taken within the last five years.

• Two short answer questions, two required essays and one optional essay, each answering their respective prompt and adhering to the specified word limit.

Short Answer Question #1

What is your immediate post-MBA professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Short Answer Question #2

For those that do not live in the NY tri-state area, please briefly share your plans for attending class from that distance. (50 words maximum)

Required Essay #1

Through your resume and recommendations, we have a clear sense of your professional path to date. What are your career goals over the next three to five years and what is your long-term dream job? (500 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

Please describe a professional situation where you faced a particular challenge. What was the outcome and what did you learn from the experience about your own strengths and personal development needs? (500 words maximum)

Optional Essay

Is there something else you feel would be helpful for the Admissions Committee to know? An optional third essay will allow you to discuss any topics that do not fall within the purview of the required essays. These might include, but are not limited to:

• Adverse circumstances in your background
• An exciting side venture in which you are working
• Areas of concern in your academic record
• Or just a fun fact!

(500 words maximum)

If you have any additional details to add that did not fit into any of the other essays, you may use the optional essay to communicate this information to the admissions committee. Columbia states this does not need to be written as a formal essay and can be submitted as bullet points if you so choose. 

There is a $250 fee to apply. You will only be invited for an interview if you make it to the next round of consideration. You can expect to receive a decision on your application within a few weeks following your interview.

Duke University Fuqua School of Business

The Fuqua School of Business is located on the main campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Fuqua boasts a top-10 Executive MBA program and is on a mission to develop future business executives who lead with compassion and collaboration.

Fuqua offers Global Executive MBA and Weekend Executive MBA programs. In the Global Executive MBA program, you will spend 21 months completing several residencies on different continents to gain a first-hand understanding of how culture influences business practices.

Outside of residency, you will participate in virtual learning to complete core courses and prepare for the next residency. At the end of your studies, you will spend two consecutive weeks at Duke participating in elective residencies, each one week in length.

The Weekend Executive MBA program is a 22-month-long program that, as the name suggests, has in-class sessions solely on weekends. Once a month, you and your class will meet at 

Fuqua School of Business and participate in a wide range of hands-on, collaborative learning activities throughout the three-day session.

You will also have the ability to select one of five concentrations to focus your studies on in the Weekend Executive MBA program: finance, strategy, marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation, or energy and the environment.

These available concentrations will allow you to take more elective courses in an area that best suits your interests and aspirations. If you’re interested in furthering your career in the healthcare industry, you could pursue the Health Sector Management Certificate alongside your EMBA.

Fuqua’s EMBA programs are a popular choice among individuals looking to take their careers to the next level. However, the Weekend and Global EMBA programs vary significantly by class size and profile. 

The Weekend EMBA program class profile averages 11 years of professional experience and admits around 200 new students annually. 

The primary industries represented in the class profile include Health and Tech (16% each), Financial Services (13%), Government (12%), Manufacturing (7%), Consulting (6%), Energy/Chemical/Gas (6%), Sales (4%), Construction/Analytics (3%), Information Technology (3%), Research and Development (2%), General Management (2%), and other industries making up 9%.

In the Global EMBA program, the incoming class usually enrolls fewer than 100 new students who average around nine years of professional experience. Dominant industries represented by the incoming class include Tech and Financial Services (12% each), Health (8%), Hospital/Health Care/Health Services (7%), Manufacturing/Operations and Marketing/PR/Advertising (6% each), Entrepreneurship (5%), Energy/Chemical/Gas, Consulting, Consulting/Analytics, Government, and General Management (4% each), Education and Retail (3% each), with other industries accounting for 19%.

Both EMBA programs are quite competitive, with roughly 25% of annual applicants receiving an offer of admission. To apply to either of the EMBA programs, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Letters of recommendation

• Current resume or CV, not exceeding one page in length.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A score from a GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment taken within the last five years.

• Responses to the required essay questions and optional essay.

Required Essay #1

Pursuing an MBA offers a fantastic springboard to your desired career goals. What are some professional milestones you've set for yourself or challenges you're currently facing? How do you think Fuqua's Executive MBA will specifically help you achieve your goals and navigate those challenges?  

Required Essay #2

Please respond to 1 of the 2 prompts below in 250 words or less:

1. Tell us about your favorite team success story. Why was it successful? What was your role? 

2. In what ways do you believe you will make an impact at Fuqua? Why is this important to you?

Required Essay #3

The Admissions Team wants to get to know YOU -- beyond your professional and academic achievements shared with us in the application. Please share with us ten random things about you. This could include important life experiences, hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you uniquely you. Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 10. Some points may be brief; others may be longer. No more than 2 pages.

Optional Essay

If you feel there are circumstances of which the admissions committee should be aware, please explain them here (e.g. unexplained gaps in work, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance).  

It costs $225 to apply to either the Global Executive MBA or the Weekend Executive MBA. Interviews are also a required part of the application process, and you will have to schedule it yourself after submitting your application. Your interview can be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 60 minutes.

You can expect to pay around $163,300 in tuition fees for the Weekend Executive MBA and $166,900 for the Global Executive MBA. Tuition covers your textbooks, course materials, accommodations, and meals during your on-campus sessions.

If you wish to pursue one of the concentrations, you will have to spend an extra $4,000. The Health Sector Management Certificate will cost you an additional $7,500 if you’re in the Global Executive MBA and $6,000 if you’re in the Weekend Executive MBA.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management

According to US News' rankings, MIT Sloan School of Management also has a top-10 Executive MBA program. The business school itself is world-renowned for its leading business programs geared towards professionals in the technology sector. 

Sloan’s mission is to develop the next industry leaders who are creative, solution-oriented individuals who will make positive strides in changing how business management is approached.

The Sloan Executive MBA program is a 20-month, full-time program that will prepare candidates to take on more significant roles and positively impact their organizations. Candidates learn the advanced practices of management and complete hands-on projects to reinforce their theoretical knowledge. At the end of their studies, candidates will be prepared to tackle larger projects in their corporate roles and increase their influence on their organizations.

In the 20 months you spend at Sloan, you will have 26 weekend sessions, which will be held on Fridays and Saturdays. You will also participate in four week-long executive modules. There will also be a one-week international project trip; the final capstone project of the Action Learning part of the EMBA curriculum. Action Learning comprises the applied projects and organizations lab components, which are the hands-on assessments you will complete as part of the program. 

Sloan is known for its tight-knit community and emphasis on connections and networking, so you will leave Sloan with life-long connections and an incredible network of fellow industry leaders. 

Sloan’s EMBA class is diverse with 46% women and 54% men. Students come from 60 countries, and 40% are international. About 28% belong to underrepresented minorities. They have diverse academic backgrounds: 33% in engineering, 18% in economics, 16% in business, and others in science, math, and more. Most have around 5 years of work experience.

You will need at least 10 years of professional experience to be considered for the program. Other components of the application include:

• Two letters of recommendation, with the option to submit a third. At least one should be written by someone from your current organization, ideally a current supervisor.

• A resume highlighting your work experiences and professional achievements.

• A statement of purpose that outlines your accomplishments, both professional and personal, and states why you wish to pursue an MIT Sloan EMBA at this stage of your career.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• An organizational chart that demonstrates your current company’s structure and where you fit into it.

• Required essays

Required Essay #1

• Describe your General Management experience. Cite a recent example that demonstrates your general managerial perspective. (100 words or less) 

Required Essay #2

• Describe a principle that motivates you in your life and career. How have you put this principle into practice? (100 words or less) 

Required Essay #3

• What are your immediate and long-term professional objectives and what do you need to achieve them? (100 words or less)

Required Essay #4

• Why is this the right time to pursue the MIT Executive MBA? (100 words or less)

Required Essay #5

• Tell us about how you inspired your team, and what you learned about yourself as a leader, through a recent difficult time. (200 words or less) 

Required Essay #6

• Please describe a time when you contributed toward making a work environment or organization more welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. (200 words or less) 

Required Essay #7

• Please tell us about a time when you introduced a new idea that changed the way in which your organization approached a business challenge or opportunity. What factors did you consider, what barriers or obstacles did you face, and how did you measure success? (300 words or less) 

You must also be fluent in English to attend this EMBA program. This can be proven by providing a TOEFL test score. Once you submit your application through the online portal, it will be approximately two to four weeks before you hear back from the admissions committee regarding your application.

If you are invited to an interview, it will also be about four weeks before you receive an offer of acceptance or rejection. MIT Sloan reviews applications, conducts interviews, and sends out acceptance letters on an ongoing basis, so it is important to keep this in mind when deciding which round you want to apply.

New York University Stern School of Business

The Stern School of Business was founded in 1900 and has been on a mission to shape diverse business leaders capable of solving some of the world’s largest problems ever since. Stern’s EMBA is built around the values of excellence, an equal balance of IQ and EQ, and social responsibility and connection. As a result of Stern’s mission to be extraordinary, they are ranked the #6 EMBA program by US News.

EMBA classes take place on Fridays and Saturdays on a bi-weekly basis for 22 months. Similar to the other EMBA programs outlined earlier, you will complete your core curriculum requirements before taking your elective courses.

The core courses make up your first year of study and cover various topics such as accounting, business ethics, financial skills, economics, management, and marketing. In your second year, you will choose 12 elective courses to take that align with your professional goals.

You will also participate in a Global Study Tour in your first year. This is a one-week, hands-on learning program where you will learn how business is conducted in different parts of the world. You will participate in meetings during your Global Study Tour, where you will meet with political, financial, and industrial leaders.

Upon returning home, you will complete post-trip group projects. Recent tours have taken EMBA students to Argentina, the Czech Republic, and South Korea. The Global Study Tour is a requirement for your first year in the program, but you can also participate in it in your second year.

The Stern EMBA program allows you to specialize in a variety of areas, including entrepreneurship and innovation, brand management, and corporate finance, among many others. You can specialize in a maximum of three areas and will need to complete at least nine credits in each area to achieve the specialization. The ability to specialize is unique to the Stern EMBA program and will help you better achieve the goals you set out to achieve when applying for the EMBA.

Stern’s unique approach to a traditional EMBA makes it a popular choice for those wishing to pursue an EMBA, which also means the competition to get in is quite stiff. The minimum requirements to be considered for admission are a bachelor’s degree and six years of professional experience.

The class profile averages 13 years of professional experience. Stern’s EMBA program is also fairly diverse, with 37% of students identifying as women and 33% of all students having an international background. Roughly 25% of the class also holds an advanced graduate degree. This shows Stern values diversity, academic achievement, and professional success. 

The NYU Stern Executive MBA application process is different from the other schools outlined in this article. First, you will submit what Stern calls the Pre-Application. For this application, you will upload your updated resume or CV and fill out some fields with your basic personal information. Stern states this will take only 10-15 minutes to complete. There is no fee to submit the Pre-Application.

A member of the admissions committee will contact you within five business days after submitting your Pre-Application and set up a time for your interview. All applicants are interviewed as part of Stern’s review process. Stern states the purpose of the 30-45 minute interview is to provide you with more information about their EMBA program and determine if you are the right fit for their program.

Following the interview, you will be asked to submit the following documents for the Formal Application:

• Two letters of recommendation, with one ideally written by your current supervisor while the other should preferably be written by a former supervisor.

• An up-to-date resume or CV that includes your title, employers, and the salary you received in each position. There is also an activities section where you will be able to detail any community or volunteer work you have done.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score from within the last five years.

• Required essays 

Short Answer Question

What are your short-term career goals? (150 word maximum)

Required Essay 

In today’s global business environment, the only constant is change. Using NYU Stern’s brand call to action, we want to know how you view change. Change: _____ it. Fill in the blank with a word of your choice. Why does this word resonate with you? How will you embrace your own personal tagline while at Stern? Examples:

• Change: Dare it.
• Change: Dream it.
• Change: Drive it.
• Change: Empower it.
• Change: Manifest it.
• Change: [Any word of your choice] it.

(350 word maximum)

Required Essay

Introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee and to your future classmates using six images and corresponding captions. The Pick Six is a way to share more about the qualities you will bring to the Stern community, beyond your professional and academic achievements. Your uploaded PDF should contain all of the following elements:

• A brief introduction or overview of your "Pick Six" (no more than 3 sentences).
• Six images that help illustrate your interests, values, motivations, perspective and/or personality.
• A one-sentence caption for each of the six images that helps explain why they were selected and are significant to you.

Optional Essay

Please provide any additional information that you would like to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee and/or give context to your application. This may include important aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, including but not limited to: hardships you have encountered, current or past gaps in employment, further explanation of your undergraduate record or self-reported academic transcript(s), plans to retake the GMAT, GRE, Executive Assessment, IELTS or TOEFL, or any other relevant information. (500 word maximum)

The fee to submit the Formal Application is $250. You will have the option of uploading a completed sponsorship form from your organization. In the event that you cannot submit a letter of recommendation from your current supervisor, Stern advises you to use the optional essay to explain why your current supervisor has not provided a recommendation.

Tuition for this EMBA program is approximately $219,500. This covers your course materials, textbooks, and meals on days when you’re in class. The Global Study Tours are mostly paid for by the program, but you will have to pay for your airfare, some of your meals, any passport or visa fees, and any other expenses while you’re on the study tour.

Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

Kellogg School of Management opened its doors in 1908 to train and inspire up-and-coming industry leaders. Kellogg has since earned a reputation for excellence in business education and is a US News top 10 business school with a #3 EMBA program. 

Their EMBA program is available through all of their seven different campus locations, making Kellogg the business school with the most campuses on this list. 

There are two main locations in the United States where you can pursue the Kellogg EMBA: the main campus in Evanston, Illinois, or the Miami, Florida, campus. The Evanston program meets in-person twice each month for classes on Friday and Saturday, with the occasional Sunday class. 

The Miami program meets just once per month, and classes run from Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Both programs take 24 months to complete.

Kellogg’s EMBA is also offered through the Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, Canada; Guanghua School of Management at Peking University Beijing, China; Hong Kong University of Science and Technology School of Management in Hong Kong; Recanati Graduate School of Business at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv, Israel; and WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar, Germany. The wide range of locations makes it easier to plan your EMBA studies at Kellogg regardless of where in the world you live.

Regardless of the campus you choose, you will complete the core, advanced, and elective courses to satisfy the 28-unit requirement. This breaks down to 18.5 required units, 3.5-5.5 advanced units, and 4-8 elective units.

Kellogg understands its students come from a diverse range of industries and have widely different professional goals. Hence, their EMBA program allows you to customize a sizable portion of your studies to get on the right track for meeting your goals. 

You will also participate in a Global Network Week. You will take two elective courses, Negotiation Strategies and Strategic Crisis Management, where you and your peers will simulate negotiations and crisis management with companies based in a wide range of countries. 

This global opportunity will allow you to meet EMBA students from the other Kellogg campuses and gain hands-on experience in high-pressure business situations. Due to the prestige of Kellogg’s EMBA, admission to this program is highly competitive. The class profile averages 15 years of professional experience, and 68% of new students hold senior-level titles at their companies.

Students who identify as a minority make up 48% of the class, while students identifying as women represent 32% of the class. The most represented industries are technology and media (19%), healthcare (7%), and finance (15%). 

When applying to the EMBA program at Kellogg, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Two letters of recommendation, with one ideally written by your current supervisor. Both letters should address the questions on Kellogg’s website, shown below.

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• A current resume that highlights all of your professional experience. Unlike other business schools, Kellogg does not impose a page limit on the resume or CV.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A GMAT score if you do not possess a bachelor’s degree. You will also need to take the TOEFL if you are not a U.S. permanent resident or citizen.

• A sponsorship form signed by your company indicating they support the time you will need to take to complete the program.

• Required essays

Required Essay #1

Kellogg Leaders are primed to tackle today’s pressing concerns everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Tell us about a time in your life where you’ve needed a combination of skills to solve a problem or overcome a challenge. Which skills did you use? What did you accomplish? (450 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

At Kellogg, our values are based on research that concludes that organizations comprised of leaders with varied backgrounds and perspectives outperform homogeneous ones. How do you believe your personal and professional experiences to date will help to enrich the Kellogg community?

If you have anything else to include in your application but does not fit anywhere else, you may submit a third optional essay to communicate this information to the admissions committee. Kellogg advises you to use the optional essay to explain gaps in your work history, the absence of a recommendation from your current supervisor, or any inconsistencies in your transcripts. 

There is a $150 fee to apply to the Kellogg EMBA program. Tuition is approximately $118,479 per year and includes all course materials, accommodation, and meals during your in-person sessions, as well as access to Kellogg’s career services and elective courses after you have graduated. Travel to and from campus for in-person sessions is not included.

University of California Berkeley-Haas School of Business

The Berkeley-Haas School of Business is the second-oldest business school in the country and is home to another of US News’ top 10 Executive MBA programs. Haas is known for shaping their students’ attitudes and behaviors as well as their knowledge and skills. 

Haas also believes the best business leaders are lifelong learners and encourage their students to always be curious and open-minded as these fuel innovation. The Haas EMBA program comprises four key pillars: finance, leadership, strategy, and entrepreneurship. You can expect to graduate with robust knowledge in each of these areas.

The program takes 20 months to complete, and you will meet for an in-person class once a month from Thursday to Saturday. In your first 12 months, you will complete 10 required courses covering topics from economics and finance to strategizing and building meaningful business relationships. 

You will also participate in a field immersion every semester as part of your experiential learning. These hands-on, immersive learning experiences will take you to different cities nationally and abroad and are generally five to seven days long. Each field immersion focuses on a specific topic that corresponds with the destination.

For example, your Public Policy immersion will occur in Washington, DC, while your Entrepreneurship and Innovation immersion will be in Silicon Valley.

Each incoming class is tiny, averaging around 75 new students annually. The class profile is mainly made up of Bay Area residents, with only 51% of students coming from outside the area. 

In terms of diversity, 37% of new students identify as women, and 9% of new students are from underrepresented minorities. The incoming class has an average of 16 years of professional experience. The main industries represented by incoming students are software (15%) and healthcare (11%). 

To be considered for the Haas EMBA program, you must submit a completed application containing the following components:

• Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from your current supervisor.

• A resume detailing your professional experience, no more than two pages in length.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A valid GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score from a test taken within the past five years.

• Required essays, supplemental information, and optional essays

Required Essay #1

To help admissions get to know you please share something about yourself that may not be evident in other parts of your application. Examples might include information about your family, culture, hobbies, and lived experiences. Please avoid professional topics. (300 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

Please summarize your primary area of professional expertise or knowledge. What do you do, and what are you known for? (150 word limit)

Supplemental Information

• Please briefly list how you have demonstrated strong quantitative abilities or plan to strengthen your quantitative abilities.
• If you have ever been subject to academic discipline, placed on probation, suspended, or required to withdraw from any college or university, please explain. An affirmative response to this question does not disqualify you from admission.
• For each of your recommenders, please list their name, company, the dates you worked with the person, and the context of your professional relationship.
• Please provide an account of any gaps in your employment since earning your undergraduate degree. If you are not employed full time, please explain your current employment situation and your career search plans.
• List up to five significant community and professional organizations and extracurricular activities in which you have been involved during or after university studies.
• If you are applying from outside the Bay Area, please explain your plans to attend classes on campus. Please include your employment plans and whether you intend to relocate or commute.

Optional Essay #1

If you were raised in one of the following household types, please indicate.

• Raised by a single parent
• Raised by an extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)
• Raised in a multi-generational home
• Raised in foster care

Optional Essay #2

Are you responsible for providing significant and continuing financial or supervisory support for someone else? Please indicate below:

• Child
• Spouse
• Sibling
• Parent
• Extended family member (grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, cousin)
• Other

All applicants will participate in a 30-minute interview as part of the admissions process. You can schedule your interview either before or after you submit your application. Interviews are conducted by an admissions committee member.

The fee to apply is $200. Tuition for the entire program is $194,000, which covers your course materials, accommodations for in-person sessions and field immersions, administrative fees, and most of your meals while attending the in-person sessions and field immersions.

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Booth School of Business is a national leader in providing an outstanding experience for its EMBA candidates, with US News consistently ranking Booth as a top-10 business school. Booth was also the first business school in America to offer an EMBA program, with its first cohort entering the program in 1943. Booth knows how to prepare business professionals with the skill set they need to achieve their career goals.

Booth offers its EMBA program at its main campus in Chicago and at its international satellite campuses in London, the U.K., and Hong Kong. Booth was the first American business school with campuses on three different continents, demonstrating its leadership in business education.

The Booth EMBA program takes 21 months to complete, beginning in August of the year you commence your studies. You will take two or three courses per quarter and will take 18 core courses in total. The structure of the live class sessions varies based on the campus where you’re completing your EMBA.

At the Chicago campus, you will attend class every other Friday and Saturday for the entirety of your studies. At the London and Hong Kong campuses, you will spend 16 weeks in class from Monday morning to Saturday afternoon over the 21-month duration of the program.

Booth also requires a total of five weeks of international sessions. Three will be spent in Chicago, and one each in London and Hong Kong. These international sessions are meant to provide EMBA candidates at all campus locations with an opportunity to expand their professional networks and see business practices from a new perspective. 

Booth’s class profile has average GMAT scores of 699 and Executive Assistant scores of 154. They average 13 years of professional experience before entering the program. Booth also has a significant imbalance between men and women in the program, with men making up 68% of the EMBA candidates while just 32% are women. 

Many industries are represented in Booth’s class profile. Around 7% of candidates come from investment banking and brokerage, while 14% are from the technology sector. This year, the top five industries in the EMBA class are technology, energy/oil/utilities, consulting, healthcare, and investment banking/brokerage. The class members bring a wealth of knowledge with an average of 13 years of work experience.

To be considered for the EMBA program at Booth, you will need to submit an application with the following components:

• A resume highlighting your professional achievements as they pertain to the Booth EMBA program.

• Two letters of recommendation, with at least one from your current supervisor.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• Your test score from either the Executive Assessment, GMAT, or GRE. Booth recommends you take the Executive Assessment but will accept a GMAT or GRE score in its place.
• The required essay and optional essay. Reapplicants will need to submit an additional one-page essay providing an update on the educational, professional, and community work they have done since their first application.

Required Essay 

Why are you seeking an MBA from Chicago Booth, and what unique knowledge and experiences do you hope to contribute to the program? (Maximum two pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman.)

Optional Short Answer Question #1

The Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth is an academically rigorous course of study that focuses on the fundamental tools of business. As a student, you will draw upon key learnings from coursework and your professional background to make valuable contributions to the classroom. If there is anything else you would like the admissions committee to know about your academic background or professional experience, please share that information here. (Maximum 250 words or less.)

Optional Short Answer Question #2

At the University of Chicago, diversity is not only an ideal to which we strive, but a core institutional value. The Executive MBA Program at Chicago Booth seeks a population of students across different industries, functions, cultures, and geographies. How will your life experiences help you contribute to and participate in this diverse learning environment? (Maximum 250 words or less.)

Optional Short Answer Question #3

Each year, we award a limited number of merit-based scholarships to incoming Executive MBA students at all three program locations. Merit scholarships are awarded based on academic and professional achievement. All candidates are automatically considered and no additional application is required. However, if you’d like to provide one to two reasons why you should receive a merit-based scholarship, please do so here. (250 words maximum )

Reapplicant Essay

Please give us an update on your professional, academic, and community activities since your previous application and highlight what you have done to strengthen your application. (Maximum one page)

There is a $250 fee to apply to Booth, and you will need to pay this to submit your application. Once your application has been reviewed, you may be invited to an interview. Your interview may be conducted by a member of the admission committee or by a program alumnus. 

Interviews are 45-60 minutes long. In your interview, you can expect to discuss your professional experiences, why you want to earn an EMBA, and what you do when you’re not at work, including your community involvement.

There are several application deadlines you can consider when completing your Booth EMBA application. There is typically an early submission deadline in October, followed by the first round submission deadline in December. The second round deadline is at the beginning of February, and the final round of submissions closes at the end of April.

To apply, you will need to register for an account by providing your first and last names, date of birth, and email address. Once you’ve set up your account, you will have access to the online application submission portal.

It will cost around $210,500 to pursue your EMBA at Booth’s Chicago campus. This cost is quite comprehensive, as it covers your tuition, textbooks and other course materials, the hotel accommodations for your international sessions, along most of the meals.

Attending Booth through the London and Hong Kong campuses will cost approximately $173,500 and $186,500, respectively. The London and Hong Kong costs both cover the same items outlined above.

University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business

The Wharton EMBA program emphasizes connection and innovation, and you will graduate from their EMBA program with an extensive network and wide breadth of business know-how. According to US News, this is yet another top 10 EMBA program and Wharton’s practical approach to business education will allow you to immediately apply what you’ve learned in class to your day job. 

The Wharton EMBA program is 24 months long. In-person classes occur every other weekend at both Wharton’s main campus in Philadelphia and at their satellite campus in San Francisco. Unlike most other EMBA programs, Wharton’s program begins in May as opposed to August. 

You will take a total of 19 credits, 10 of which will be in the core curriculum and nine will be elective courses. Core courses will cover the topics of leadership essentials, analytic foundations, and business foundations. 

Wharton also offers you the option to take one of its majors, such as entrepreneurial management, finance, management, marketing, and strategic management. Pursuing one of these majors will allow you to take more elective courses to increase your knowledge in your chosen major.

You will also participate in a one-week Global Business Week. This immersive learning experience will allow you to work with students across all of Wharton’s EMBA programs in a location you’ve selected from a list of a few different destinations. 

Destinations vary each year, and past locations have included Argentina, China, South Africa, Sweden, Finland, and Cuba. Global Business Week takes place in the first week of your second year of study. 

In addition to this international week, you can also take Global Modular Courses to earn credits. These courses are workshop-based immersive learning that takes place over the course of anywhere from three to seven days. 

Wharton runs 12 of these courses over the academic year, and they are usually held during school breaks. MBA and undergraduates can also enroll in these courses, so you will be working with a wide range of fellow Wharton students if you take one of these Global Modular Courses. 

Wharton admits just over 220 new students annually to its EMBA program. The class profile indicates that incoming classes average 13 years of experience in the workforce, with 52% of the class possessing an advanced degree. Just 15% of students being from an underrepresented minority and 34% identifying as women. 

When you apply to the EMBA program at Wharton, you will need to submit the following documents:

• The online application where you will register for an account by filling out your basic personal information.

• Two letters of recommendation, with one ideally from your current supervisor, but letters from past and current colleagues or clients will also suffice.

• A sponsorship letter signed by your employer stating they are aware of and support the time commitment required for the program.

• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.

• A valid GMAT, GRE, or Executive Assessment score from a test taken within the last five years.

• Required essays

Required Essay #1

What are your career objectives and how will the Wharton MBA Program for Executives contribute to your attainment of this objective? (400 words maximum)

Required Essay #2

Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words maximum)

Required Essay #3

If necessary, you may use this optional essay to explain any extenuating circumstances of which the Admissions Committee should be aware. (300 words maximum)

You can use the optional essay to communicate any additional information you want the admissions committee to know about. This is particularly useful if you have any extenuating circumstances. Upon completing the online application, you can sign up for an interview time slot and complete your interview before submitting the other components of your application.

The interview and your campus visit will give you a good idea of what to include in your application documents. You will need to bring an updated resume to this interview. 

The application fee is $275. In terms of tuition, you should expect to pay $230,100 for the full two-year program. Your tuition covers all your course materials, accommodations and meals during your in-person class sessions, and your accommodation and most meals during your Global Study Week.

To learn more about what Wharton is looking for in EMBA candidates, check out this video. 

University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business

The Ross School of Business offers an innovative curriculum designed to refine leadership skills, preparing students for present challenges as well as future opportunities. It encourages executive-level thinking by acquiring advanced knowledge and reshaping perceptions of business. This EMBA program positions students for success not only in their current roles but also in preparing them for future career growth. 

The Michigan Ross EMBA Program is 21 months long. With classes meeting only once a month in either Ann Arbor or Los Angeles, the program prioritizes learning and development while minimizing time away from work. Ross’ program begins in August.

Students will complete 47.5 credit hours. The curriculum is made up of 12 core courses and your choice of 14 electives. Each term has a ‘Leadership Development Theme’; these themes consist of Learning and Personal Growth, Leading Change and Innovation, Managing the External Environment, and Defining Your Leadership Vision.

This year’s Michigan Ross EMBA class has a population of 116 students. This student population consists of a 36.6% minority population, 26% women, and 12% international students. 41% of students hold advanced degrees and there are over 30 industries represented.

When you apply to the EMBA program at Ross, you will need to submit the following documents:

• An updated resume, including any professional certificates.
• One letter of recommendation.
• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.
• A statement of corporate support showing that your employer fully supports your attendance in the program
• GMAT test scores are not required but are highly encouraged. In addition, English-language testing may be asked of international applicants
• Required essays

Required Essay #1

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Minimum 100 words/maximum 300 words)

Required Essay #2

Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Minimum 100 words /maximum 550 words)

Required Essay #3

Choose one of these questions. (Minimum 250 words, Maximum 650 words)

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
4. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
5. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
6. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
7. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
8. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The application fee is $200, but is waived for: members and veterans of the U.S. Military; Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or Teach for America volunteers; currently enrolled students in a University of Michigan graduate program; citizens of a country on the UN’s list of least-developed countries; and students who submitted an application to Ross EMBA within the past five years. Tuition for the entire 5-term program is $178,500 for Michigan residents and $183,500 for non-residents. The cost of tuition includes all courses and events, textbooks and all other course materials, accommodations, and all dining needs.

UCLA Anderson School of Business

The UCLA School of Business focuses on challenging students to adopt new ways of thinking and revolutionize leadership capabilities. This program's cutting-edge curriculum centers on the six crucial characteristics of a Transformative Leader: strong industry acumen, innovative, tech-savvy, collaborative and inclusive, analytically adept, and driven, and purposeful. In addition, Anderson offers one-on-one monthly leadership coaching to all EMBA students.

The UCLA Anderson EMBA Program is 22 months long. The program offers flexible schedule options catering to your availability and learning style. The program begins in July and consists of 68 academic units: 44 core courses, 8 capstone thesis, and 16 elective courses. First-year course descriptions include ‘Foundations of Inclusive Leadership,’ ‘Data and Decisions,’ and ‘Organizational Behavior.’

Anderson’s average EMBA class size is 150. This student population consists of a 21% minority population, 30% women, and 25 countries of origin. 26% of students hold advanced degrees and there are over 30 industries represented.

When you apply to the EMBA program at Ross, you will need to submit the following documents:

• An online application.
• Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you have attended.
• English-Language Testing is required of all international applicants except those from a select list of countries.
• GMAT/ GRE/ EA test scores are optional, but recommended.
• Updated employment history and resume.
• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from current or former supervisors.
• Required and optional essays

Required Essay #1

UCLA Anderson seeks to develop transformative leaders who think fearlessly, drive change, and share success. We believe the ability to persevere is an essential component of effective leadership. Please share an example from your personal or professional life where you demonstrated perseverance to accomplish a significant goal or milestone. (250 words maximum)

Optional Essay

Are there any extenuating circumstances in your profile about which the Admissions committee should be aware? (250 words maximum)

The application fee is $200, and the non-refundable admission enrollment deposit is $2,500. The total cost of tuition for the EMBA program is $183,552. Tuition fees include all courses, mandatory fees, housing, meals, and academic costs such as textbooks. Outside of tuition costs, students are responsible for providing themselves with a laptop, meeting the required specifications, and buying campus parking permits.

Top Tips for Acceptance to Executive MBA Programs

Here are the top tips you need to know to get into Executive MBA programs:

1. Make Sure You Meet All Requirements Before Applying

Executive MBA programs are highly selective, and they will not consider you if you don’t meet the minimum requirements.

2. Find Strong Recommenders to Write Your Letters of Recommendation

Admissions committees will want detailed insight into your professional skills and abilities, as well as your potential to grow into more demanding leadership roles. Here’s what Former Wharton Director Amy Hazen has to say about choosing the perfect recommenders:

Amy Hazen, Former Director at Wharton, explains what EMBA schools look for in candidates:

“It's important that you choose recommenders that know you well. They will be expected to write about your strengths. Make sure that you coach your recommenders on the EMBA application process. They should be aware of your career goals and the center themes of your essays, so that everything fits together.”

3. Take the Required Standardized Tests Well Ahead of the Application Deadline

This way, your application won’t be held up by waiting for test scores to be sent in. Taking the tests early will also allow you to retake the test if you feel you could improve your score. Most business schools will accept test scores from up to five years prior to applying, so getting the tests done early will take one less thing off your plate when you’re putting together the rest of your application.

4. Begin Your Application Early

Do this to ensure you have enough time to gather all the required documents, touch up your resume or CV, and write compelling and informative admissions essays.

Have a conversation about sponsorship with your employer.

Many schools require a signed sponsorship form indicating your employer’s support of the time commitment an EMBA requires, so it is a good idea to discuss your intent to apply with your employer to gain their support. EMBA programs are costly, so you may want to discuss financial sponsorship as well.

Stand Out 

Having a unique profile can really boost your chances of getting into Executive MBA programs. Admissions teams value diversity in experiences and viewpoints because it enriches classroom discussions and the overall learning experience. 

If you can highlight how your background is different, whether through your career achievements, leadership roles, or innovative ideas, you'll show that you have something special to bring to the table. This can make you stand out in the application process and increase your chances of acceptance.

Amy offers these expert insights on EMBA Admissions:

"EMBA programs want to know what makes you unique, they want to know who you are, not just what you've done. It's important to spend time articulating the driving forces. You'll need compelling, differentiating application hooks that make you a memorable candidate."

"All top programs want to hear about how their program will help you grow your career. Before you apply, make sure you have a crystal clear understanding of where you are in your career, where you want to be in the long run, and how an EMBA will help you get there."

"EMBA programs are looking for people who have been in leadership roles. The goal of these programs is to then make sure they help you continue your evolution into a strong leader."

5. Seek Expert Advice‍

Doing this can help strengthen your application and increase your odds of being accepted.

At Inspira Futures, our application consulting supercharges your ability to get accepted at the world’s most competitive business schools. We tailor every aspect of your MBA, deferred MBA, or executive MBA application to ensure we frame your story in a way that truly represents the best version of you. See what Kelly has to say about how Inspira Futures helped her find success during her application process:

Which One to Choose Executive MBA or MBA

Deciding between an Executive MBA (EMBA) and a traditional MBA largely depends on your career stage, goals, and how much time you can dedicate to your studies.  If you're early in your career and want to advance or switch fields, a traditional MBA might be better. 

This program offers deep dives into business basics and allows for specialization, such as in finance or marketing. It usually requires full-time study for one to two years and may require you to pause your job or move.

If you're already a manager and want to improve your leadership skills without stopping work, an EMBA could be ideal. This program is tailored for working professionals. It offers part-time schedules that fit alongside your job, typically over two years. EMBAs focus on broad management skills with fewer choices for electives compared to traditional MBAs.

If you’re debating between an EMBA vs. MBA, keep in mind that both options are costly. Traditional MBA students often use scholarships and financial aid. EMBA students may get tuition help from their employers. Your decision should align with your current lifestyle and career goals.

Whether you choose to go with an EMBA or a traditional MBA, our application support services can really give your application an edge. With a dedicated team that focuses on your specific needs, you receive detailed guidance from start to finish. This personalized support helps you craft a standout application that showcases what makes you unique among other candidates.

If you’re thinking about an MBA but aren’t sure where to start, check out our quick two-minute quiz at Inspira Futures: Which MBA School Is Right For Me? It assesses your preferences, goals, and strengths and then uses current admissions data to recommend the best MBA programs for you. 

FAQs

Read below for even more insights into getting accepted into your dream EMBA program.

1. Why Should I Get an Executive MBA?

Pursuing an EMBA is an excellent way to gain advanced management knowledge and grow your professional network, both of which will allow you to have a greater impact on your current company. An EMBA will equip you with the tools and know-how required to take your management skills to the next level, resulting in a promotion or salary increase.

The Executive MBA Council also noted that EMBA grads saw their annual salary grow on average 14.1% by the time they completed their studies, and approximately 40% of EMBA grads were offered a promotion upon earning their degree. As you can see, there are significant benefits to obtaining an EMBA.‍

2. What Do I Need to Do If I’m Reapplying to Executive MBA Programs?

You will need to submit all the same documents as first-time applicants. Individual schools will require different documents, so it is important to check with each school where you’re reapplying. A common task you may be asked to complete is to submit an extra essay detailing what you have done since your initial application and how that makes you a better fit for the Executive MBA program.‍

3.  I Want to Pursue an Executive MBA, but I Don’t Have Enough Experience Yet. What Should I Do?

If you want to earn an EMBA but don’t yet have enough work experience, you can still begin planning how you want to approach the EMBA application. You can strategize early about how you want to write your letters of recommendation, what you want to write about in your admissions essays, and begin to discuss sponsorship with your employer.

By planning for your EMBA application early, you will be able to consult an expert to help ensure your applications are successful. Once you have enough work experience, you’ll be able to confidently complete your application according to program deadlines.

4. Do I Need Financial Sponsorship From My Company to Apply?

Financial sponsorship is not required for EMBA programs, only sponsorship of time is required, and your employer will need to sign a letter stating their support. You are strongly encouraged to discuss financial sponsorship with your employer.

As you have seen in the breakdown of the top EMBA programs, it is expensive to pursue an EMBA, so having at least partial financial sponsorship from your employer will help reduce the amount you will have to pay personally. EMBA programs also offer financial assistance and scholarships, and you should check out the options available to you at each school you are considering.

5. How Do I Prepare for the Interview Portion of the Executive MBA Admissions Process?

Some schools, like Wharton, hold online office hours specifically for EMBA applicants where they can answer all your questions regarding the application process, including the interview portion. Each business school conducts its interviews differently, so it’s important to check with each school you want to apply to in order to know what to expect. It is also helpful to do a mock interview ahead of your actual interview to practice answering questions you can expect to come up.‍

6. What Career Support Can I Get From a Business School After I Complete an Emba Program?

The majority of business schools offer career support to EMBA students long after they graduate, which can help you find new opportunities at other companies or help prepare you to apply for a promotion at your current company. The Career Center for Working Professionals at NYU Stern and the Career Management Group at Berkeley Haas are examples of career support services available to EMBA program graduates after they have ended their formal studies.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between an EMBA vs. MBA can help you decide which program better suits your career goals. Knowing what admissions committees expect and starting your applications early will help reduce your stress and improve your chances of being accepted. Researching your target schools and planning your applications ahead of time will help you stay on top of deadlines and what you’ll need in your application.

The tips included in this article will allow you to compile a competitive Executive MBA application. Now that you know exactly what an Executive MBA is and can follow along with the advice in this guide, you are on the right track to creating strong and persuasive EMBA applications that will stand out at even the most competitive schools.