How GMAT Can Help You Land MBA Scholarships in China

If you're applying for business school, then you'll already understand the importance of taking the GMAT—the most widely used exam for MBA admissions. Not only does the GMAT set you up for the rigorous nature of the business school classroom but it can also stand you in good stead for securing MBA scholarships at top MBA programs across the world.

What is the GMAT and how can it help me get into MBA programs?

If you are a business school applicant, it's likely that you'll have heard about the GMAT. The exam assesses students' suitability for MBA and masters programs.

With three sections—Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights—the test can help MBA applicants secure at place at business school as it emphasizes to business school admissions teams your compatibility with the intensive nature of an MBA program.

How acing the GMAT can help you land MBA scholarships

General MBA graduate scholarships at business schools come in all shapes and sizes, such as merit-based or need-based scholarships. For top MBA programs in China, this is no different.

Top business schools in China, such as Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), offer several MBA scholarships that cover up to 100% of tuition fees.

While MBA scholarships at schools such as Tsinghua SEM are usually based on your overall MBA application, having a high GMAT score could help you access merit-based scholarships for MBA students. At Tsinghua, this could be the Tuition Scholarship, which covers partial costs for the first year of the MBA program.

Meanwhile, the Beijing-based business school also offers the Tsinghua MBA Distinguished Student Scholarship for MBA students.

Fudan School of Management also offers a full scholarship for its International MBA program if a candidate’s GMAT score is 715 or above. Such high scorers can be awarded 100% of the tuition fee (around US $50,000).

Meanwhile, Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Antai College of Economics and Management offers GMAT scholarships based on full-time MBA candidates' scores. For example, those with GMAT scores of 675 and above would be considered for a scholarship of 50% of the full program fee (around US $26,000), while candidates with GMAT of 625 could land a scholarship of 25% of the full program fee (around USD $13,000).

Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), Tongji University and some joint-degree programs in China also provide a variety of GMAT scholarships to various values.

Chinese government scholarships

Many business schools in China offer the Chinese Government Scholarship program for talented graduate students across the world. It's always worth checking with the business school in China that you are applying for to see if GMAT scores are considered in the MBA scholarship application process.

“Your test score will definitely make you stand out during the application process. It shows to what extent you’re ready to start the program and whether you have the quantitative and analytical skills you need for an MBA," says Nikolaos (Nick) Rigopoulos, Tsinghua Global MBA alumni and recipient of the Chinese Government Scholarship.

The Beijing Government Scholarship at Tsinghua SEM ranges from roughly US$1,300 to $3,000, while the MBA Program Scholarship can waive tuition fees by up to $28,000.

For prospective MBA students considering a graduate degree at a business school outside of Beijing there are multiple opportunities to access MBA scholarship funding.

Prospective students applying for the top MBA program at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, which ranks as one of the best business schools in Asia, can apply for its Finance and Economics Scholarship through the China Scholarship Council (CNC). The MBA scholarship is eligible for international students and provides full tuition cover and a monthly allowance.

Although this MBA scholarship does not specifically request a GMAT Edition score, admissions teams will be looking for candidates who shine above the rest, and having a great GMAT score can help to illustrate your hardworking attitude and aptitude for the agile business school environment.

Since many top scholarships for MBA students in China often rely on numerous factors in your MBA scholarship application, it's worth reaching out to admissions teams directly to see whether your GMAT score is considered as part of MBA scholarships targeted around academic excellence.

You should also research all available MBA scholarships to find out which schools offer the best scholarships funds or financial assistance that will help you gain the best return on investment during your program.

Tips to access MBA scholarship programs

Having an impressive GMAT score is a great start to your application but it's not going to guarantee a place in a top MBA program in China. For MBA students, it will be important to ensure that your profile is well-rounded.

"Study as much as you can for the test and aim for a high score, but we look at all parts of the application and whether you are independent and have unique characteristics that stand out from other applicants," says Su Xin, executive of international affairs at Peking University (PKU) Guanghua School of Management, in an interview with BusinessBecause.

"A candidate with a very high GMAT score but none of the other qualities we are looking for could be turned down in favor of someone who really impresses us in other areas," she adds.

Still, performing well in the GMAT can be beneficial so you should look to focus on this if your undergrad grades aren't up to scratch, or you only have limited work experience, for example.

Even if you have a great test score, you'll also need to make sure that your MBA application shows you in the best light. When applying for business schools in China, make sure that you identify your personal brand, or unique story, that will help set you apart from others.

Some business schools might request separate MBA scholarship applications while others will assess your suitability during the standard MBA application.

“Getting an MBA scholarship boils down to how good your overall application is, including your essays, the video essays, and your performance in the interview,” says Ken Chong, an alumnus from Tsinghua Global MBA.

“You want to be able to tell a clear story, about your background, your aspirations, and how the MBA is going to help you achieve your goals," he adds.

So, remember that while your GMAT score is not the only deciding factor for application teams at MBA programs, all MBA applicants should aim to score as high as possible and to submit a dazzling application reflective of your capabilities in the business school classroom, and as a future business leader.

Ready to take the next step towards securing your MBA scholarship in China? Learn more about preparation tips for taking the GMAT.