Inside Yale's MBA for Executives Program

GMAC Zach speaks with Keith Gallinelli and Emily Whitehouse from the Yale School of Management about Yale's MBA for Executives program. Together, they share what sets their EMBA apart, from its integrated core curriculum taught through an executive lens to the way students immediately apply new skills to their careers.

Keith and Emily also break down who the EMBA is designed for, how it differs from a traditional full-time MBA, and the value it brings to busy professionals aiming for senior leadership. They also offer insider advice on building a strong application, balancing work and personal commitments, and why Yale requires a test like the Executive Assessment (EA) as part of the admissions process.

Whether you’re just starting to explore executive programs or considering the next big step in your career, this episode gives you the playbook for navigating the EMBA journey with confidence!

Featured Resources:

• Yale's EMBA Pre-Assessment
• About the Yale EMBA
• Take the EA exam

About Our Guests:

Keith Gallinelli is the Director of Admissions for the MBA for Executives program at the Yale School of Management. He leads a dedicated admissions team responsible for recruiting, selecting, and enrolling students for the program. He is responsible for developing and coordinating marketing and recruitment strategies to promote the EMBA program and its associated fellowships, including the Pozen-Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Health Equity Leadership. Prior to his role at Yale, Keith served as the Director of International Admissions at Sacred Heart University for 8 years, working and traveling extensively in countries around the globe. He lived in Asia for over 13 years working as a teacher and administrator at several schools in China and South Korea and is fluent in Chinese. He was also a TV talk show host for 7 years in China. He holds an MBA and a MS in Geology from Boston College. 

Emily Whitehouse currently serves as Associate Director of Admissions for the MBA for Executives program at the Yale School of Management. In her role, she leads recruitment and outreach strategy and oversees the Student Ambassadors program. She has worked at the Yale School of Management for 8 years, beginning with Full-Time MBA Admissions in 2017 and was instrumental in the launch of the Masters in Asset Management program in 2019, where she served as Associate Director of Admissions before joining EMBA. Emily holds a Masters in Higher Education Administration. A lifelong Connecticut resident, she resides in Wallingford, CT with her husband, Andrew, their 18-month old son, and Schnauzer-Yorkie named Bowie.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Yale EMBA Program
01:08 Roles and Responsibilities in Admissions
04:48 Understanding the EMBA Structure
07:35 Differences Between EMBA and Full-Time MBA
09:38 Value of the EMBA for Established Professionals
11:06 Evaluating Mid-Career Candidates
14:16 Crafting a Thoughtful Application
16:56 Qualities That Stand Out in Applications
19:36 Common Application Pitfalls
21:43 The Role of Standardized Tests
24:19 Preparing for the Executive Assessment
30:07 Next Steps for Interested Candidates