What is Deferred MBA?

 

Deferred MBA programs allow final year undergraduate seasons, or final year graduate students with no full-time work experience, to secure a seat in a future class of an MBA program. After admission, students are expected to work full-time for a few years before beginning their MBA. 

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What are the advantages of deferred MBAs?

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• Ability to network with a global network of deferred admits and program alumni during your deferral period 

• Freedom to pursue risky career-paths knowing you can join an elite MBA program in a few years 

• Significantly reduced application fee - Deferred MBA applicants pay either no fee or a reduced application fee of $100 as opposed to the nearly $250 application fee for regular applicants

• No risk - If rejected, deferred MBA applicants can still apply later to the same MBA programs after gaining a few years of work-experience. Schools welcome applications from students who were rejected during the deferred MBA cycle, and the rejection doesn’t impact anyone’s admissions chances later. In fact, the added experience of having been through the application cycle helps deferred MBA applicants craft stronger applications when they apply later in their career. 

 

Programs?

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Harvard Business School was the first business school to launch a deferred program for MBA students. Since then, most top business schools, such as the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth etc. have launched deferred MBA programs. 

 

Who are these programs looking for?

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Through deferred MBA programs, business schools are looking for innovative, intellectually curious, driven students who are highly motivated to grow as leaders and make a difference in the world. Successful students typically have demonstrated strong leadership and analytical skills, have created positive impact through their internships or extra-curricular involvements, and are able to clearly communicate how admission to a deferred MBA would help them achieve their goals.  

 

Process

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Applications typically open in Fall (September - October), and most programs have deadlines in Spring (March - April). Most programs require the following:

• GMAT/GRE score

• Resume

• Essays

• 1-3 Letters of Recommendation

• Video essays/interviews 

You can see the complete requirements and deadlines of the programs here.

 

Based on your application, you could be invited to interview. Interviews typically focus on understanding the applicant better by asking them about previous experiences leading or working in teams, as well as your professional and academic experience. 

 

Each business school has its own unique approach to the MBA, and schools take immense pride in their “culture”. Through the application and interviews, the Admissions Committee tries to understand an applicant’s fit with their program’s culture - both in terms of how their school can help an applicant fulfil their career aspirations, as well as whether or not an applicant would thrive in their school’s environment and contribute positively to its community. 

 

How we can help

 

Deferred MBA programs have grown very popular over the last decade, and admission to top programs is extremely competitive. A strong application shows that the applicant has the academic potential and professional experience needed to succeed in any business school, the personal qualities needed to succeed at a *particular* business school, and the drive and motivation needed to succeed as an alumnus after business school. 

 

At LitAdmit, we have prepared Worktable and Worktable IP to help you prepare for the applications. Following the steps laid out in the different stages will help you curate your application in a structured manner. These are steps that we followed too!