MBA Application Updates of 50 B- Schools Amid COVID-19
In the past few months, COVID-19 has turned human lives upside down globally. To help the applicants navigate through these exceptional circumstances, the business schools around the world have taken several steps. Some schools have extended Round 3 deadlines, while some have introduced an additional round, waived GMAT/GRE, moved to rolling admissions, waived application fee, and have allowed applicants to submit GMAT/GRE after submitting applications, and so on.
At MER, we have been following updates that the business schools have been sharing with Poets and Quants every week for the past few weeks. We have also been following updates on the GMAT Club. Based on the information gathered, we have created a comprehensive bulleted list of a few significant changes made by 50 business schools in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
1. Harvard
The deadline for the 2+2 program extended by two months to June 1
The School will maintain a larger waitlist than normal, expecting a smaller amount of international admits may join the campus this Fall
HBS has decided to give all admitted MBA students the option to defer enrollment for either one or two years. Incoming students have until June 1 to request a deferral.
There was no change in Round 3 deadline of April 8
Applicants can submit the necessary exam scores after the Round 3 Deadline dates
3. Kellogg
Kellogg had previously stated that applicants can apply without GMAT or GRE score and submit the scores after submitting their application.
Two weeks later, Kellogg waived off the GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS requirement for those applying to its extended Round 3 deadline of June 1 for its full-time MBA programs
Those who waitlisted/denied in R1/R2 can appeal for reconsideration.
The Kellogg Future Leaders deadline is extended from April 2 to June 3; it will accept online GMAT/ GRE scores
The new decision date for Kellogg Future Leaders now will be July 29
Haas has introduced Round 4 with a deadline of May 4 and decision date of June 4
Applicants without a test score are encouraged to apply in the late-round and take 'GRE at Home' and forthcoming GMAT online options
7. Booth
There is no change in the deadline for Round 3
8. Columbia
Application deadline moved to June 1
Application decision shall be linked to GMAT/ GRE score submission
More candidates are expected to be admitted "toward the end" of the application cycle as some candidates may not be able to make it to the campus due to exceptional circumstances
Columbia's EMBA summer term is now virtual, and CBS is providing $500 rebate per 3 credit courses
9. Cornell
There is no change in the Round 3 deadline. Test scores can be submitted by June 1
If the test scores are not submitted by June 1, the complete application will be shifted to next year's application cycle
New Rolling deadline for the 2-year MBA program is June 1; applicants can submit SAT or ACT in place of GMAT/GRE
The one-year program will start virtually on May 11
Round 3 now transitioned to rolling admissions through July 15, 2020.
Offered to accept ACT and SAT in place of GMAT/ GRE scores
Fall 2020 international admits are given an option to start classes in Jan 2021. Their 1-year studies shall be crunched in the 6 months leading to summer and then a short internship
Will accept the scores from the online GMAT, GRE or TOEFL exams
13. Ross
Ross has extended Round 3 deadline from March 30 to May 29
Applications received after the priority deadline (March 30) will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
International admits can either begin the program remotely or request a deferral to Fall 2021.
If any R2/R3 admit prefers not to submit their enrolment deposit at this time, they can re-apply for Fall 2021; their application fee will be waived. These students will only be required to submit an updated application form, resume, and personal statement. They will not be required to submit new essays, transcripts, or recommendation letters, nor will they need to re-interview.
Accept online GMAT/GRE test scores
For Fall 2020, limited GMAT/GRE waivers are available provided they meet specific criteria found here
Online MBA application deadline extended to June 15
Online MBA is now accepting applications for a Winter 2021 intake deadline of September 21, 2020
Deadline extended to July 31; application fee waived off through July 31
The unofficial test score will be accepted until May 21
Waived off GMAT/GRE requirements
However, the admitted candidates will be required to pass the Tepper Mathematics Prep course, attend their Math Skills workshop and achieve a 3.0 GPA in the First Semester
Introduced reduced deposit amount for holding your seat
Introduced one time Round 4 for late applicants of Round 3
Round 4 shall be on a rolling basis- from April 1 to June 1
The decision will also be rolling- starting from May 11 to July 1
All applicant-initiated interviews have been suspended for the remainder of this application cycle. Only committee-initiated interviews will take place virtually for this cycle
16. Yale
Yale is adding a Round 3 Extending deadline of May 27 for applicants who could not submit the application by April 14
Accepting online and expired GMAT/GRE test scores, the Executive Assessment, MCAT, and LSAT
English testing requirements can now be met online TOFET/DuoLingo in addition to TOFEL/IELTS
After Round 4 deadline of April 27, applications shall move to rolling admission cycle until June 24
The fall semester will now start in-person on September 8
Master's in Management program start date moved from July 6 to August 24
22. Georgia Tech Scheller
Accepting online scores/test waiver requests for both evening and full- time MBA; one remaining deadline of June 1
Application review on a rolling basis and decisions
The evening MBA program has two remaining deadlines of May 29 and June 26.
Applicants can request for the waiver of GMAT/GRE when submitting the application provided they meet one of the three criteria
Executive MBA program has two remaining deadlines of June 30 and July 13.
The full-Time MBA program has two remaining deadlines of June 1 and July 1
The full-time program is accepting scores of online GMAT/GRE
For Evening and EMBA candidates, the requirements for being currently employed is relaxed for those who have had employment changes due to COVID-19
23. Carlson, Minnesota
Added an extra round with deadline of June 1
Flexible on the GMAT/GRE test scores
24. HEC Paris
There is no change in deadline
Test scores can be submitted later
25. IESE
Admission deadline for 2020 intake is May 5
The application will continue to be accepted after the deadline on a rolling basis
Applications can be submitted without GMAT/GRE scores
Scores shall be required before the decision on the application is made
26. IMD
The application deadlines for the full-time MBA program unchanged
There are two remaining deadlines for the program starting in January 2021: July 1; September 1
Candidates can apply without test scores. If admitted, you will get a Conditional Offer dependent on the score received once test options are made available.
For Full-time MBA, following the April 15 deadline, will be accepting applications from domestic applicants on a rolling basis until June 1
Applicants may submit the application without the test scores
Deadline for Fall 2020 Cohort of the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program extended to July 1
Test scores must be submitted before a final decision is made
29. Kenan Flagler
Round 4 extended to July 13
New applicants can request a GMAT/GRE waiver
Applicants can submit other test scores for SAT/ACT/ LSAT/MCAT/ etc.
The applicants who received a waiver for GMAT/GRE, admission shall be based on the successful completion of their Analytical Skills workshop prior to the start of the program
