Applying to Business School as a College Senior

Is applying to business school as a college senior an option? Several top MBA programs do offer college students the opportunity to apply and be admitted during their senior year. These programs are valuable recruiting tools for the top business schools that offer them. MIT Sloan Assistant Dean of Admissions Dawna Levenson states, â€Å"We want to increase MIT representation in our own MBA program, and recruit qualified college seniors from other colleges to MIT Sloan as early as possible.† From an applicant’s perspective, early admission allows one â€Å"the freedom to take risks†. Which schools offer deferred enrollment? The following is a list of these types of programs: Harvard Business School 2+2 Yale School of Management Silver Scholars (technically not deferred as accepted applicants enter the program directly without working first) Stanford Graduate School of Business Deferred Enrollment (direct enrollment is also an option) Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Chicago Booth Scholars MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission University of Virginia Darden Future Year Scholars University of Pennsylvania Wharton Moelis Advance Access (only Penn undergraduate seniors are eligible to apply) Breaking Down Your MBA Deferred Enrollment Options provides a brief overview of Harvard, Stanford, and Yale’s programs. If you’re applying to these programs there are a few things to keep in mind. You don’t have to be a business major to apply. In fact, HBS 2+2’s Profile for the Class of 2022 reveals that 65% of incoming students have a STEM background and 17% are from the humanities/social sciences.    What are adcoms looking for? HBS says on their site: Were looking for innovative thinkers who have demonstrated leadership and analytical skills and want to develop their knowledge and passion to make a difference in the world. Yale says: Silver Scholars are chosen for their combination of intelligence and common sense, maturity and curiosity, passion and compassion. Each has made a difference and distinguished him- or herself in a particular field of interest. We are looking for college seniors who will be future leaders in business, government, and nonprofit endeavors. The best way to show these programs you are who they’re looking for is by putting together an outstanding application, which thoughtfully answers the questions they ask. You’ll need a strong application, as the acceptance rate for HBS 2+2’s Class of 2022 was 8%. A few keys to a stellar application:   Academic ability. Two ways to demonstrate academic ability are test scores and undergraduate GPA. For the HBS 2+2 Class of 2022, the median GMAT was 740 and the average GPA was 3.76, though the GMAT range was 610-790. However, a  high GMAT and/or GPA alone will not get you in.   Leadership and impact. You’ll want to provide examples of your leadership that showcase your potential, as well as the impact you’ve already had in the organizations and communities you’ve been a part of. Think about what you’ve done in the course of internships, part-time jobs, side projects, and extracurriculars. Even better if these accomplishments and experiences provide insight into what you will contribute to the MBA community you seek to join. Interesting, well thought out goals.  The admissions committee wants to know what you see yourself achieving in the future and how an MBA from their school fits in with your plan. Your goals don’t have to be extraordinary, but it’s ok if they are. This can be a great way to demonstrate your passion or talk about your purpose. Deferred MBA programs are a great opportunity for college seniors to gain admission to some of the world’s best MBA programs. If you’re thinking about applying to one of these programs, use the information above to help you create applications that get the admissions committee excited about you. Veritas Prep has a proven track record of success with deferred enrollment applicants. One of our consultants was admitted to HBS’ 2+2 program. Applying to business school as a college senior might be right for you. If you need help preparing for the GMAT or putting together an amazing application, Veritas Prep has you covered. Veritas Prep is the elite provider of GMAT test prep and has many valuable resources to improve your GMAT score—some of which are available at no cost, such as our unrivaled GMAT Question Bank and free practice test. We also offer the world’s highest-rated GMAT Prep Courses and Private Tutoring. In addition, Veritas Prep Admission Consultants have vast experience in assisting clients hone and refine their personal and professional goals to resonate with admissions officers. Call us at 1-800-962-2069 and speak with an MBA admissions expert today, or sign up for a free MBA Admissions Profile Evaluation and Consultation for personalized advice on your unique application situation! As always, be sure to find us on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.