Rethinking admission criteria for today's leadership learners: the predictive value of undergraduate GPA and work experience in a GRE-optional era

Purpose This study aims to explore the statistical significance of factors correlated with success for students admitted to a Leadership graduate program. Design/methodology/approach We examined the relationship between applicants' undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and length of work experience with success in a leadership graduate program. Findings UGPA was found to have a much stronger correlation with graduate GPA for students with 0–6 years of work experience than for students with seven or more years of experience. Research limitations/implications Sample size was a limitation for this analysis. Our dataset allowed us to calculate correlations between specific variables and student success, but it is important to note that correlation does not imply causation. Practical implications Institutions should continue to reevaluate the role of standardized tests in admissions decisions for leadership graduate programs. UGPA has consistently shown strong predictive validity, but the role of work experience is also important. Originality/value While predictors of success have been studied extensively in other disciplines, research on student preparedness for leadership graduate programs grounded in the social sciences is scant.