March 21, 2023

Applying for Deferred MBA Programs

Late March to April is the ideal time to complete applications for deferred-enrollment MBA programs, which admit applicants still in school so they gain two to five years of full-time work experience before starting their MBA programs. 

 

In 2001, Yale Silver Scholar’s program became the first deferred-MBA institution, and Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB followed with their own deferred programs several years later.

 

Given the target population—students still in college or in master’s programs directly after college—deferred-enrollment applicants have little professional experience and therefore are judged more heavily on their test (GMAT / GRE) scores, GPA, rigor of their undergraduate studies, and extracurricular leadership and collegiate internship experiences. Moreover, deferred-enrollment MBA programs typically look for students in these core groups: 1) students on clear, high-potential paths who are ‘over-achieving’ relative to typical undergraduate and graduate-school students, 2) students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, 3) students from STEM backgrounds or heading into operating or technical roles, and 4) students starting a business or joining a startup.

 

Here’s a quick summary of the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application fees for the leading deferred-enrollment MBA programs:

 

 

 

 

  • Harvard Business School 2+2 Program
    • Eligibility: bachelor’s student, master’s student, joint bachelor’s/master’s student, or master’s student in a graduate program right out of undergrad
    • Application Deadline: April 27, 2023
    • Application Fee: $100

 

 

  • MIT Sloan Early Admission Program
    • Eligibility: last year of undergrad or in a graduate program right out of undergrad Application Deadline: April 19, 2023
    • Application Fee: No fee

 

 

 

  • UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program
    • Eligibility: last year of undergrad or in a graduate program right out of undergrad
    • Application Deadline: R1 April 11, 2023; R2 August 1, 2023
    • Application Fee: No fee

 

 

 

 

If you are interested in applying to Deferred MBA programs, contact us now and speak with one of our Expert Coaches!