PETITION TO WAIVE THE GMAT/GRE EXAM
Applicants to Master of Science in Finance (MSF) graduate finance studies in the Haworth College of Business
are required to supply GMAT/GRE scores as part of their application package. Under certain circumstances, an
applicant may petition to waive the GMAT/GRE requirement. Specifically, a waiver of the GMAT/GRE
exam may be considered if the applicant:
A structured personal interview with a member of the MSc Finance Program Committee may also be required
for applicants seeking a GMAT/GRE waiver based on financial experience.
This application determines your eligibility for a waiver by assessing two areas: education and experience.
Waivers are never guaranteed. The decision to grant a GMAT/GRE waiver rests with the Haworth College of
Business MSc Finance Program Committee and is determined in joint consideration with the rest of a
candidate’s application materials; satisfaction of the above criteria does not constitute an automatic waiver.
T
he Haworth College of MSc Finance Programs Committee decisions about waiver eligibility are final.
Applications are reviewed on a continuous basis and applicants are notified of eligibility by mail or email within
30 business days following receipt of a complete application.
If you think that you meet one or more of these conditions, please complete the information on the following
pages and submit this form, along with official transcripts from all previous schools attended, and a current
version of your resume, to the Western Michigan University MSc Finance office location: *
c/o MSc Finance Program Office
3290 Schneider Hall – 5420
Haworth College of Business
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5420
Haworth College of Business
Master of Science in Finance
1. Holds a terminal degree or Master degree from an educational institution approved by Western Michigan
University;
OR
2. Holds a Bachelor degree from an educational institution approved by Western Michigan University, with a
cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale, AND can demonstrate evidence of three (03) or more
years of substantial, full-time, financial specialty work experience (beyond entry level) which has occurred
prior to the date of program application (including military and entrepreneurial experience) Substantial
finance related experience is defined as demonstrable experience with responsibilities in financial analysis,
investments, banking and may include managing both people and budgets. A subsequent form details
such responsibilities, OR
3. Holds a Bachelor degree from an educational institution approved by Western Michigan University, with
a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4-point scale, OR
4. Hold a current professional designation such as CFA ®, CFP®, CPA®, or similar.
I am applying for a waiver under category
___ (indicate 1, 2, 3 or 4 from above and provide appropriate
documentation)
T: (269) 387-5720 / F: (269) 387-5839
Email: [email protected]
(If you are applying for a GMAT/GRE waiver based on holding an advanced degree, your admission will be
granted once the online application has been completed. It is not necessary to complete this form).
For early consideration and notification of a waiver, please return this form and include a copy of your
transcript and other necessary documentation to the MS Finance Office directly.
Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:
Home Address:
City: State/Province: ZIP/Postal Code:
Telephone:
Personal Email Address:
Work Email Address:
Employer: Industry:
Business Address:
City: State/Province: ZIP/Postal Code:
Business Telephone:
I have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale during the last 60 credit hours and three (03) or
more years of substantial managerial experience.
Yes No
University Attended:
Undergraduate GPA (last 60 hours): Year Graduated:
Current Position (job) Title:
*NOTE* Jobs that require a high school diploma or associates degree do not provide “substantial” finance or
managerial responsibilities. Job(s) considered will at least require a bachelor’s degree.
This position requires a Bachelor degree (or is “bachelor preferred”): Yes No
Three (03
) or more years of substantial finance related experience is required for GMAT/GRE waiver
consideration.
Years of Managerial Experience: Years of Total Work Experience:
Should be greater than years of managerial experience
For which departments, programs, and/or services are you responsible for managing financial resources, analysis,
managing financial staff, or finance broadly? (List and describe your planning responsibilities)
Are you responsible for multiple locations (region, North America, Global)? Yes No
(If yes, please describe)
Are you responsible for the profit and loss of multiple locations or departments?
Yes No
Attach your resume to this GMAT waiver application. Be sure to include detailed information regarding
organization size (e.g. number of employees, revenue, market area, single or multiple locations etc.) and span of
control (e.g. number of direct reports, dollar amount of budget(s) managed etc.).
• Submit a graduate application form and processing fee via the online form at:
https://wmich.edu/apply/graduate/application
• Complete the remaining sections of this form:
o Description of Finance related duties
o Employer’s Reference Statement
o Copy of Written Description of Applicant’s Reason for Pursuing an MSc Finance
o Request to have official transcripts from the institution from which you received your Bachelor
degree sent to:
Western Michigan University
Office of Graduate Admissions
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5211
Email: graduate-transcripts@wmich.edu
• Atta
ch your resume to this GMAT waiver application
• Submit this form and any other support materials to the MSc Finance Program Office (see cover for
details)
DESCRIPTION OF FINANCE RELATED DUTIES – VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE
Complete this section only if applying for a GMAT/GRE waiver based on Finance related
experience (Add additional pages if more than one is needed)
1. Professional Finance Experience (for firms that you did not establish)
Cu
rrent (or mo
st recent) employer:
Dates of employment:
City/State: Position (job) Title:
Number of Direct Reports: Performance Reviews Completed for Direct Reports? Yes No
Dollar Amount of Annual Budget Managed:
Budget(s) Managed were (check all that apply):
Project Level Department Level Division/Branch Level Organization Level
I had Profit and Loss (P&L) Accountability: Yes No
Are there any o
ther aspects of your responsibilities that are unusual and should be taken into
consideration in evaluating your Petition?
Professional Finance Experience (for firms that you did not establish)
Current (or mo
st recent) employer:
Dates of employment:
City/State: Position (job) Title:
Number of Direct Reports: Performance Reviews Completed for Direct Reports? Yes No
Dollar Amount of Annual Budget Managed:
Budget(s) Managed were (check all that apply):
Pro
ject Level Department Level Division/Branch Level Organization Level
I had Profit and Loss (P&L) Accountability: Yes No
Are there any
other aspects of your responsibilities that are unusual and should be taken into
consideration in evaluating your Petition?
2. Professional Finance Experience (for firms that you did establish) {If more than one firm started, please
copy this form and complete for all other firms}.
I founded my own business(es):
Yes No
Name of Business:
Date Founded:
Date of Exit (if applicable):
City(ies)/State(s):
Most Recent Annual Sales: less than 10k 10k to 100k 100 – 250k 250 -500k Over 500k
Number of Employees (not including self: 1 – 5 6 – 12 13 – 20 21+
Performance Reviews Completed for Employees? Yes No
I had Profit and Loss (P&L) Accountability: Yes No
3. Military Service (Manager/group leader for years)
Document the information reported by providing a DD214 (preferred) or Statement of Service. Also attach
your last three performance evaluations including responsibilities and job description.
Branch of Service: Rank: Dates:
Performance Reviews Completed for Direct Reports? Yes No
Budget Managed:
$10k – $500k $500k – 1M $1 – 5M $5M+ Size of
Organization Led: 1-12 13-40 41- 200 201 – 1000 1000+ Describe the
size and scope of the organization that you led?
Employer’s Reference Statement
Complete this section only if applying for a GMAT/GRE waiver based on managerial experience
** For firms that you established, supply a statement of review from your CPA **
The applicant listed below has applied to Western Michigan University’s Master of Science in Finance
(MSF) program and is requesting a GMAT/GRE test waiver based on combined undergraduate GPA and
finance related experience. Completion of this form indicates your support of the applicant’s candidacy
through verification of employment and workplace responsibilities (finance related, managerial or non-
managerial). The completed reference statement may be returned directly to WMU by Fax at (269) 387-
5839 or returned to the applicant for submission to WMU.
Applicant’s Name: Title:
Employers:
Completion by Department Head/ Employer Representative (for military service: provide last 3
performance evaluations)
Name of Employer Representative: Title:
Dates of Applicant’s Employment:
*NOTE* Jobs that require a high school diploma or an associate degree do not provide “substantial”
managerial responsibilities. Job(s) considered will at least require a bachelor degree.
This position requires a bachelor degree (or is “bachelor preferred”): Yes No
The applicant’s employment’s status was/is: Exempt Non-exempt
If exempt, the applica
nt’s FLSA Exempt level was/is: Executive Administrative Professional
Does/Did the Applicant Manage Direct Reports? Yes
No If yes, how many
Does/Did the Applicant Have Budget Responsibility? Yes No If yes, annual budget
Does/Did the Applicant Have Profit and Loss (P&L) Responsibility? Yes No
Please provide information regarding the applicant’s managerial and leadership responsibilities:
I have read the applicant’s responses to the attached questionnaire and believe they accurately reflect
the duties, responsibilities, and characteristics of the positions with the following exceptions:
Employer Representative Signature: Date:
Business Telephone: Email:
Written Description of Applicant’s Reasons for Pursuing a MSF
All applicants are required to complete this section
Applicants are encouraged to include any other materials that demonstrate professions strengths such as
professional designations, professionally appointed positions, boards, memberships, leadership positions, and
publications.
Name: Signature & Date:
