COVID-19: Can you still apply to a top-ranked MBA program right now?
Since there is a lot of understandable uncertainty about applying to business school in the middle of a global pandemic, I reached out to admissions directors from leading U.S. business schools for their thoughts about applying in the last rounds of this admissions cycle.
Here is what they would like prospective applicants to know. Please note that some application deadlines have been extended and there are even new rounds introduced.
Kelly R. Wilson, Executive Director, Masters Admissions, Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business
I continue to see (and use!) the word unprecedented when speaking of the circumstances we are living in. The Tepper Admissions Team will be as flexible as we can be with applicants. This week, we will be announcing an extended rolling admissions period. Candidate should feel free to reach out to our team for guidance and assurance of the support we will provide candidates interested in our MBA programs.
Luke Pena, Executive Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth
We at Tuck strive to be as applicant-friendly as possible, and we recognize that applicants are ready to apply at different times in the year. We’ve long encouraged applicants to apply when they are most confident in their applications. We’re intentional about making sure we hold seats for Round 3; we don’t unduly give them away in Round 1 and Round 2. We want your admission outcome to depend on your demonstration of our admission criteria and not on the time of year when you apply.
I’ll also add that we recognize that the COVID-19 coronavirus has impacted our applicants’ ability to complete their applications on time, especially given that standardized testing centers are currently closed. With this in mind, we’ve elected to maintain our third round of admissions as is — appreciating those who can still meet our deadline — but will extend the opportunity to apply after our Round 3 deadline to applicants who need additional time.
(Note: Since this article was published, Tuck has announced a one-time Round 4 that will operate on a rolling basis from April 1 to June 1. Click here for more information.)
Peter Johnson, Assistant Dean, Full-time MBA Program & Admissions, Haas, School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
We are open for business, albeit it remotely for the time being, and we're wrapping up our review of R2 applicants with decisions to be released on schedule next week. We're moving forward with R3 shortly as well. In case you have questions, we will be hosting live online admissions Questions and Answer sessions twice a day for the next few weeks. Sign up below:
Please know that despite the worldwide disruption caused by the current health crisis, all of us remain available and look forward to staying in contact with you.
(Note: Since this article was published, Haas a new extended deadline of May 4, 2020 to assist candidates who have been delayed in completing their application due to their inability to take the GMAT/GRE or difficulty in obtaining letters of recommendation, etc. Stay tuned for the link with more information!)
Rodrigo Malta, Managing Director, MBA Recruiting and Admissions, The University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
Because of the current situation, the Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA program is being as flexible as possible with our round 3 deadline of March 31. For international applicants, we are allowing them to apply without test scores, with the applicant knowing that the Texas McCombs MBA program cannot render a decision until we receive the official score report. Depending on how long this takes, we would either consider the applicant in Round 3 or withdraw their application.
For full-time MBA domestic applicants, the Texas McCombs Full-Time MBA program is being as flexible as possible. Because of the current situation, we are launching a fourth round deadline for domestic applicants. Unfortunately, these deadlines are too late for international applicants because of visa requirements. If a domestic applicant is unable to apply in round 3, they can apply in our fourth round. The dates are as follows:
Application deadline: April 28
Deposit due: May 26
Enrollment Deposit: June 9
Shelly Heinrich, Associate Dean, MBA Admissions and Director, Marketing Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
As of now we are keeping Round 3 and 4. As is always, we are monitoring the situation and will keep our community updated. If students have been affected by closing testing centers, they should still apply and we will communicate to them a policy of how they can still meet the application requirements.
Here is a video featuring Shelly with more general information on applying in rounds 3 & 4.
Michael Robinson, Director, MBA Admissions, Columbia Business School
We are extending our application deadline until June 1st and expect to be admitting more people later in the cycle this year. While we are not in the office, we do expect to increase the amount of personalized communication that we have with prospective students and admitted students.
Soojin Kwon, Managing Director Full-Time MBA Admissions and Program, University of Michigan Ross School of Business
Due to the impact that COVID-19 has had on GMAT/GRE testing opportunities, we are extending our Round 3 deadline. The priority deadline will remain March 30, but we will accept applications until May 29. Applications received after the priority deadline will be evaluated on a rolling basis. International applicants are highly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline in order to ensure enough time for visas to be processed.
More information about Ross can be found here, including information for applicants who were waitlisted.
Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean, Office of Admissions, MIT Sloan School of Management
We continue to be open for business (virtually) and round 2 decisions will be released on March 3. We will host a variety of virtual events for admits to ‘meet’ staff and students. Round 3 is on schedule with the application deadline on April 8.
Lizabeth Cutler, Director, Evaluation, MBA Admissions Office, Stanford Graduate School of Business
So many things are changing so fast, with such significant impacts for everyone. Selecting the next Stanford MBA class and deferred candidates for future classes remains a top priority. Given significant events like the closure of test centers, campuses, offices, and even national borders, we are considering how best to support candidates for Round 3, and expect to post an update on our website next week.
Amanda Barth, Director of MBA Admissions, Mason School of Business at The College of William and Mary
The William & Mary School of Business is accepting Full-Time MBA applications through July 15, 2020 and will waive GMAT/GRE test scores for the remainder of this season. Application fee waivers are available by using code: WMMBA1966. Team W&M MBA Admissions is working remotely to conduct interest sessions and interviews by Skype or Google Hangout, and our Associate Dean and MBA current student community is ready to answer important candidate questions.
Our administrative leadership has worked exceptionally hard on rolling out a delivery in case of any continued disruption beyond July and in the case that global students have visa issues, they can join the program with a remote first semester experience – joining the cohort for their residency beginning in January if necessary.
In summary, if you were planning on starting your MBA in 2020, it's not too late. Contact the admissions office at your targeted schools for ongoing updates, though, and targeted information for your specific stage in the admissions journey.
And keep this important perspective in mind.
Judi Byers, Executive Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Despite being in an unprecedented and uncertain time, the value of the MBA is clearer than ever – MBA programs are communities made up of extraordinary individuals who will support and prepare you to solve problems and lead. As the world continues to change, the opportunities for capable and adaptable leaders will be enormous.
(Note: Since this article was published, the Cornell MBA has shared an admissions update. Please see below.)
One-Year MBA applicants, rolling admissions:
Applications will be received and reviewed on a space-available basis through April 15, 2020. If you are able to submit test scores by April 30, 2020, we will proceed with a final review and decision notification. If you are unable to submit test scores by April 30, 2020, we will transfer your application to the 2020–2021 admissions season so that you do not have to re-start the application process entirely.
Two-Year MBA applicants, April Round:
The April round application deadline is April 8, 2020. If you are able to submit test scores by June 1, 2020, we will proceed with a final review and decision notification. If you are unable to submit test scores by June 1, 2020, we will transfer your application to the 2020–2021 admissions season so that you do not have to re-start the application process entirely.
Read more here.