The George Washington University School of Business Admissions - continued

In regards to undergraduate study, do you consider other factors besides performance? For example, does it matter where an applicant completed their undergraduate schooling?
In addition to academic performance the Admissions Committee finds participation in extracurricular activities and sports as well as study abroad opportunities relevant when selecting students for our MBA programs. Where an applicant completed undergraduate schooling is considered. However, it is just one factor when deciding upon admission to the GW MBA program.

What is your position on people who apply to The George Washington University School of Business MBA program directly out of college?
At the GW School of Business, we recognize that more undergraduate students are applying to graduate business school directly out of college. Our position is to admit quality students who can contribute to the GW MBA program. While we have admitted candidates directly from undergraduate studies, our preference is to admit students with a minimum of two years work experience. Our MBA program offers experiences for applied learning, and candidates with previous work experiences will be able to contribute the most to our learning environment. Applicants accustomed to intellectual and academic rigor and who seek an engaging learning environment steeped in the pursuit of building leaders who can compete in a global marketplace are the most attractive candidates for our MBA programs.

Do race, ethnicity, sex and cultural background play much of a role in your admissions decisions?
At the GW School of Business, our goal is to build a diverse class that is inclusive. We typically have a student body that comprises nearly 35% international students. In addition, we remain committed to helping increase the number of underrepresented minorities in business by partnering with organizations such as the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA).

What qualifies as a good letter of recommendation?
The George Washington University School of Business views recommendation letters as an essential component of the evaluation process. Recommendation letters from clients or individuals who have worked closely with the applicant and can speak specifically to the professional performance of an MBA candidate are most useful. While recommendations from high profile figures can be seductive, in the end if the recommendation cannot demonstrate that that the recommender has had any personal experience of the applicant’s work, it will do little to bolster the candidate’s prospects for admission.

A good recommendation letter clearly speaks to the candidate’s professional strengths and challenges and provides concrete examples whenever possible. Overall, we look to a recommender to provide insight as to how a candidate can both benefit from and contribute to an MBA program.

What is the most common mistake that GWU applicants make?
The most common mistakes made when submitting an application for the GW School of Business MBA program include poor editing of essays as well as naming the incorrect business program when completing and submitting an application. Another common mistake is poor interview preparation.

How can an applicant stand out among their peers?
At the George Washington University School of Business applicants can set themselves apart through pursuing leadership roles in their career. Those applicants with international experience, community investment and a commitment to continuous learning and intellectual curiosity are standout candidates.

Why does The George Washington University School of Business stand out among other business schools?
The GW School of Business stands out among other business schools for three reasons: our location, our students and our faculty.

The location of The George Washington University School of Business in the heart of Washington, D.C., with iconic institutions such as The World Bank and The International Monetary Fund bordering the campus, makes us uniquely positioned to provide a global learning environment for our graduate students. Now more than ever, Washington, D.C. presents a rich and robust business environment with unprecedented collaboration between business and government in ways that will yield significant learning and employment opportunities for our MBA students. This is an exciting time to be a business student at The GW School of Business. In addition our MBA community, steeped in academic rigor and excellence, is both collegial and collaborative. GWSB offers a student driven environment where community involvement is as important as drive and ambition. Our MBA programs integrate our values of ethics, environment sustainability and corporate citizenship throughout our curriculum.

The GW School of Business MBA programs provide students with a unique vantage point to observe, as well as participate in, activities that will shape the future of business.

Finally, The GW School of Business boasts an outstanding faculty, composed of 120 full-time members known internationally for their writing, research and consulting practices.