What is a Deferred MBA Program and Should I Apply?

The Rise of Deferred MBA Programs

The rise of deferred MBA programs at top business schools has been remarkable. What began with the  HBS 2+2 program and Stanford Deferred Enrollment MBA has expanded to Wharton, Chicago Booth, Columbia, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, and others. This growth reflects the increasing popularity of MBA deferred admission. The trend shows no signs of slowing. Each year, more schools introduce deferred enrollment options. These programs give students greater flexibility and long-term career planning control.

What Is a Deferred MBA Program?

A deferred MBA is a full-time, two-year MBA program that students apply to during their senior year of college (or while in a graduate program). Admitted students work for two to five years before enrolling. During the deferral period, many schools provide access to career services, networking events, and industry programming.

Why Consider Applying as a College Senior?

As a college senior, you may wonder whether one job offer will strengthen your MBA candidacy more than another. You may also question whether your experience will be compelling enough for top programs. Career paths are rarely predictable. A startup role could lead to rapid growth. A Peace Corps assignment could inspire long-term social impact goals. Securing deferred admission gives you freedom to explore without worrying about future MBA prospects.

Conversely, perhaps your first job will help you see that banking or marketing wasn’t for you after all. Regardless, if you want the freedom to take a job without wondering what it means for your future grad school prospects AND be able to take more risks and explore, then a deferred MBA program may be the right move for you. 

Should You Apply to Deferred MBA Programs? Initial Questions to Ask

Now that you know the answer to ‘what is a deferred MBA program’, you may be wondering whether it is worth your time and effort to apply. Here’s what to ask yourself:

1. Are you a college senior or in a master’s program that you began right after undergrad (law and medical school may or may not count, depending on the MBA program)?
2. Are you reasonably confident that you’ll want to go to business school in the next 2-5 years?

If the answers to these two questions are “yes”, then there isn’t much of a downside of applying if your overall profile is in the running (scores, GPA, etc.). Further, there is a lot of upside if you’re among the few admitted each year. 

What GMAT and GPA Do I Need for Top Deferred MBA Programs?

• GMAT/GRE: Most programs require these scores. Aim for a 720 or higher. For context, MIT Sloan’s recent median GMAT was 750. Harvard’s last reported median was 730.
• GPA: Strong undergrad performance is key. As a benchmark, last year’s MIT Sloan Early Admission Program average GPA was an exceptional 3.88!

Without competitive data points, you’ll have a tough time hitting the bar for the deferred MBA programs, but the good news is that you have plenty of time to take more coursework and prove yourself before the ‘traditional’ application cycle in a few years.

What Else Goes into Applying to Deferred MBA Programs?

• Essays: To write strong essays, you’ll need to do a lot of self-reflection and seek advice from mentors. You’ll need to have a vision as well as a sense for your strengths and weaknesses at this stage of your career.
• Recommendations: To secure powerful recommendations, you’ll need to have built strong relationships with individuals who can opine on your potential as a future business leader. These can include professors, an internship manager, or campus leadership advisor.  

Some schools favor certain applicant qualities or focus areas. For instance, HBS 2+2 admits are roughly 70% STEM majors and admissions has stated a preference for those: 1) planning to work in an operating company (tech, manufacturing, consumer goods, retail, industrials, etc.), 2) from a lower socio-economic background, 3) going into a technically demanding role, or 4) pursuing entrepreneurship. 

So, What’s the Catch? Hint: There Might Not Be One

Deferred MBA programs are incredibly competitive. If your scores and stats are in range, then we encourage people to apply if it feels like the right program for them. Many people wonder if an unsuccessful application to a deferred MBA program will hurt their future chances and the answer is definitely no! In fact, reapplying in the future may signal your strong interest in a particular program. 

Vantage Point MBA Consultant and former Director of Admission at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business Gretchen Athas says, “When the admissions committees see someone who is back ‘at bat’ and with an even stronger profile, it’s viewed very favorably. It demonstrates commitment when we can see that someone took an unsuccessful result and turned that into personal and professional growth so they could apply again down the road.”

If you’d like to discuss whether applying to deferred MBA programs might be right for you, contact us here for a free 30-minute consultation.