Business Schools Respond to Tech Layoffs

In today’s blog we are doing a special feature in light of the significant impact of layoffs in the tech industry and the changes business schools are making to support flexibility in this year’s application cycle. 

According to website True Up, in just the first six weeks of 2023, nearly 140,000 in the tech industry have lost their jobs, including major layoffs at Amazon, Twitter, Microsoft, and Dell.

Business schools have quickly repositioned to support the recent pool of unemployed talent.  Many of the top U.S. business schools have made admission easier for the recently laid-off via entrance exam waivers, extended application deadlines, admissions counseling, and even fellowships.

First out of the gate in November, Kellogg waived its test score requirement for those applying to the part-time or full-time MBA programs who have been recently laid off from their jobs in the technology field.  In January, the University of Virginia Darden announced its third round would switch to rolling admission, with three separate deadlines through the spring.  In February, both the University of Michigan Ross and the University of Texas-Austin McCombs added a Round 4 to its full-time MBA admissions calendar.

Highlighted below are the significant changes business schools have pushed out:

• Berkeley’s Haas has offered an application fee waiver and additional time to prepare applications for any tech worker laid off in the last six months. Further, Haas is also providing guidance for candidates to address employment gaps on their resumes
• Dartmouth’s Tuck will allow workers laid off in the past six months from any sector to request a GMAT or GRE test waiver for its full-time MBA
• Duke’s Fuqua added a Round 4 application with a deadline of March 28
• Georgia Tech’s Scheller has offered application fee waivers, test-optional admission, access to specialized admission counselors and career coaches, and even a few full-tuition scholarships
• Indiana’s Kelley waived tests and application fees coupled with a diverse range of scholarships available for admitted applicants
• Michigan’s Ross added a Round 4 application with a deadline of May 1 and notification of decisions by May 25
• Texas’ McCombs added a Round 4 application with a deadline of May 11
• UCLA’s Anderson has offered application fee waivers, automatic fellowship consideration, and application preparation support
• Virginia’s Darden made a major change to its spring application schedule by adjusting from a single deadline of April 5 to three separate Round 3 deadlines of March 1, April 1, and May 1, with the Dean of Admissions adding that the school will even consider applications after May 1

Watch Admitify’s blog for weekly updates on the latest application cycle developments.  As you prepare for interviews and Round 3 or Round 4 applications, please contact us to help you navigate through this year’s dynamic application landscape.