It’s common knowledge that business schools expect MBA applicants to have at least 2-3 years of full-time work experience before applying. Schools want their students to have a real-world perspective that will enhance classroom learning. However, this timing can frustrate undergraduates who know that an MBA education is essential to achieving their ultimate career goals and are eager to matriculate. Delaying the start of MBA studies can be stressful. And finding a good, post-college job that will be abandoned in a couple years to attend b-school can be challenging.
However, there’s an exciting option that can change the game for qualified college seniors. Business schools want to fill their pipeline with as many high quality applicants as possible. In addition to welcoming early-career professionals to enter through the front door (i.e., the standard application process), some of the best b-schools have opened the “side door” to college seniors who want to apply now and are willing to enroll later. This option is called “deferred admission.”
Based on their academic history, GMAT or GRE score, extracurricular involvement, recommendations, written essays, and admissions interview, undergrads can get serious consideration for deferred admission to top MBA programs including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT and Virginia Darden. Several others (e.g., Yale, Penn, Cornell, NYU and Chicago) offer admission for qualified college seniors, albeit with some school-specific restrictions.
The benefits of getting accepted to b-school as an undergrad include more than just guaranteed future enrollment. Immediately enhancing your resume with prominent mention of being a future MBA, and expanding your professional network by accessing current MBA students and alumni help make the pursuit of “deferred admission” a no-brainer. Furthermore, even if you’re denied admission now, you can reapply later, reminding the targeted school that you demonstrated your desire and dedication to their MBA program several years earlier as an undergraduate.
Given the compelling value proposition for “deferred admission,” this option drives strong competition among blue-chip applicants. So, if you’re determined to succeed, it makes good sense to enlist the best possible guidance and support, such as engaging a top MBA admissions consultant to help you optimize your candidacy and applications. Working with a savvy professional who knows what it takes for a college senior to get accepted will help you craft your campaign and maximize your chances for victory.
From three decades of helping over 5,000 MBA applicants achieve their goals, The MBA Exchange knows what it takes to succeed. So, if you’re considering “deferred admission” but aren’t quite sure how and when to get started, we invite you to request a free, expert evaluation of your candidacy. Our feedback will give you an immediate sense of your competitiveness and a roadmap for next steps.
MBA admission awaits qualified college seniors who want it the most. Does that sound like you? Why not get started today?
