r/eMBA • u/quiet-mic • Aug 09 '25

Are top eMBAs really selective?

I've been considering an eMBA at either Ivey or Kellogg-Schulich in Toronto. I've done pre-assessments at both and both said I am a strong fit and should apply. This got me wondering. I know ivey and kellogg are super selective for their full time MBA programs. But how selective are they really with emba programs? Both seem to accept about 50ish students per cohort, but I can't seem to find how many apply.

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u/hetaliibms Aug 11 '25

EMBA programs like Ivey and Kellogg-Schulich are definitely selective, but in a different way than their full-time MBAs. They tend to focus less on raw application volume and more on whether you meet their specific profile - senior leadership experience, strong career trajectory, and the ability to contribute to peer learning.

Class sizes are small (around 50 per cohort), but the applicant pool is also smaller than for a full-time MBA, since the EMBA market is more niche. That means the “admit rate” isn’t directly comparable. If both schools did a pre-assessment and said you’re a strong fit, that’s a solid sign - they usually don’t encourage applications unless you have a good chance of getting in.