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HBS Deferred MBA: Top Tips for the 2+2 Essays

Application season for deferred entry programs is heating up, with deadlines coming up in April. Business-bound college and master’s degree students applying for Harvard Business School’’s 2+2 program are no doubt working on their essays, and that’s no small task. 

 The 2024 application essays for the 2+2 program offer some options and cover a lot of ground, all in just 300 words per essay. In a recent conversation, my Fortuna colleagues Michel Belden, senior expert coach and former associate director of admissions at the Wharton School, and Alterell Mills, an HBS alumnus and expert coach, offered some advice on how to tackle these essays. 

Why consider early admission? 

Early admission, deferred entry programs like the HBS 2+2 program are a terrific opportunity if you know that you are destined for business and want an early start on acquiring the solid skills of an MBA. 

These programs offer a guaranteed spot in a future class before you’ve accrued the years of practical business experience most schools expect before you enter. With a promise of admission in your pocket when you graduate from college, you have greater freedom to explore career opportunities and experiences that interest you before enrolling in the program.

The 2+2 Application Essays 

For the 2024 season, HBS asks applicants to respond to three essays in two areas. For the personal essays, you pick two of the three prompts and write up to 300 words for each. “You can choose which questions resonate with you — the ones you feel most comfortable with and best allow you to tell your story,” Belden says. For the career essay,  you answer all of the prompt questions in one 300-word essay.

Essay 1:  Personal (pick two, 300 words each)  

‣What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?

‣What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?

‣How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?

Essay 2: Career (300 words)

‣How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career?

What is HBS Looking for in its 2+2 Essays? 

Getting admitted to one of the most selective MBA programs in the world straight out of college or a master’s, with little to no professional work experience, is a rare opportunity offered to individuals with an outstanding record of early achievement and leadership.  So what is Harvard looking for in these essays that will set you apart? Actually, HBS is looking for many of the common characteristics they seek in all MBA candidates, Mills says. “The mission of HBS is to educate leaders who will make a difference in the world as well as evidence of the three qualities they seek in all applicants: the habit of leadership, analytical aptitude and appetite, and engaged community citizenship,” he explains. 

“I think it’s important for candidates to think about how the essay questions are really trying to assess those qualities and traits — and then try to find a balance among them. In some ways there’s a trade- around being overly analytical at the expense of not being very human or community-oriented. Likewise, there’s a tradeoff in being a strong leader, but also potentially not knowing how or when to be a follower or team player. I think that some of these questions are intended to probably get a gauge of how folks are navigating that balance.

Consider Community Broadly

Because community engagement is one of those three “pillar” traits HBS seeks, Mills and Belden advise candidates to think deeply about that — and think broadly about what constitutes community.

“We are all part of one or more communities ; it is not only limited to membership in a marginalized group,” Mills says. You could choose to share involvement in any group where you have invested a lot of your time and invested in other people, Belden adds. It could be a consulting club or a group for Muslim students you launched; it could be a leadership role in a fraternity or sorority or a community-based project in the town where your university is located. 

The key, Belden says, is to explain why you were drawn to those experiences, and to focus on impact. What kept you involved, what did you learn, and how did you contribute to or improve others’ experience? 

“In any of these communities Michel mentioned, you will probably have had conversations, discussions, and situations that map to the personal essay prompts. In shaping your essay, consider where in those situations have you been a leader? What have you stepped up to do? How did you support others?” Mills advises.

“Past performance is the best indicator of future performance,” Belden notes. ”HBS expects you to be engaged and contributing to their community, and this essay prompt aims to get an early snapshot of what you will look like as a student in the HBS space. If you were an engaged undergrad, they can envision you being an engaged student as well.” 

HBS seeks to put together a class that is rich in different backgrounds, experiences, and career trajectories, so the 2+2 program gives some preference to applicants from lower socioeconomic background and first-generation college students. “This could also be an opportunity to talk explicitly about things you have done outside of school, like going back to help your hometown community or your family, says Mills.

A cing the Career Questions

HBS understands that when you are applying to an MBA program in your early 20s, your long-term career plans are mostly forecasting a rather generalized future that can change greatly. 

Still, in answering these questions, it’s important to make sure your long-term career vision is clearly tied to the career goals you noted in the short-answer question in the application. Most applicants will have a post-graduation job lined up, or have some solid options in mind, and you should be able to write with some specificity about what you will do and the skills and knowledge you hope to gain. Again, it’s important to explain why that role or opportunity attracts you and how it ties to your long-term career plan. 

“When you’re applying to elite schools like this, you need to be able to speak to what you want to do afterwards:  What is your space — health care, clean tech? — and why? How do you plan to get there?” Belden says. 

More than STEM Stars

MBA programs use early admission / deferred entry programs like the 2+2 program to spot and attract top talent early, especially those bright young leaders who might be on a different career path than those in finance and consulting careers who traditionally head to business school. “They want to get people for whom business school is not necessarily in their plan right now, but they have the capacity to go on and do great things,” says Mills. 

In that light, HBS says it gives some preference to 2+2 applicants planning to work in an operating company, in a technically demanding role, or in an entrepreneurial setting. That leads to a perception that deferred entry programs are trying to attract STEM candidates who are in high demand elsewhere. While it’s true that in the past, the 2+2 program admitted a higher percentage of candidates with STEM backgrounds, non-STEM candidates should not worry that they are disadvantaged. 

Of the 118 candidates admitted through the 2+2 program in 2023, 36% were math majors; 16% studied engineering and 14% studied economics, while 22% majored in business. Another 8% majored in social sciences and 3% in arts.

The emphasis on math and science-based fields naturally reflects that pillar trait of an interest and aptitude for analytics, which is critical in any business sector today. Mills points out people who are majoring in STEM are not necessarily ending up in STEM careers. “I think about the person who studied chemistry or applied mathematics, who goes to McKinsey,” People in engineering or computer science are still going to work at Google or Facebook, possibly not in technical roles, he adds. 

The key is to remember that you are applying for an opportunity to gain stellar business and leadership skills that can make an impact in any field— and then make a case for how you will use these skills to make an impact.  

Our former admissions insiders at Fortuna know these deferred programs well and are experienced at helping candidates get admitted. If you’re interested and could use some help positioning yourself for one of these highly competitive programs, talk to us first .

The post HBS Deferred MBA: Top Tips for the 2+2 Essays appeared first on Fortuna .

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Advice, tips and insights from the admissions dream team., table of contents, hbs deferred mba: top tips for the 2+2 essays.

• By Judith Silverman Hodara

Application season for deferred entry programs is heating up, with deadlines coming up in April. Business-bound college and master’s degree students applying for Harvard Business School’’s 2+2 program are no doubt working on their essays, and that’s no small task. 

 The 2024 application essays for the 2+2 program offer some options and cover a lot of ground, all in just 300 words per essay. In a recent conversation, my Fortuna colleagues Michel Belden, senior expert coach and former associate director of admissions at the Wharton School, and Alterell Mills, an HBS alumnus and expert coach, offered some advice on how to tackle these essays. 

Why consider early admission? 

Early admission, deferred entry programs like the HBS 2+2 program are a terrific opportunity if you know that you are destined for business and want an early start on acquiring the solid skills of an MBA. 

These programs offer a guaranteed spot in a future class before you’ve accrued the years of practical business experience most schools expect before you enter. With a promise of admission in your pocket when you graduate from college, you have greater freedom to explore career opportunities and experiences that interest you before enrolling in the program.

The 2+2 Application Essays 

For the 2024 season, HBS asks applicants to respond to three essays in two areas. For the personal essays, you pick two of the three prompts and write up to 300 words for each. “You can choose which questions resonate with you — the ones you feel most comfortable with and best allow you to tell your story,” Belden says. For the career essay,  you answer all of the prompt questions in one 300-word essay.

Essay 1:  Personal (pick two, 300 words each)  

‣What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?

‣What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?

‣How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?

Essay 2: Career (300 words)

‣How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career?

What is HBS Looking for in its 2+2 Essays? 

Getting admitted to one of the most selective MBA programs in the world straight out of college or a master’s, with little to no professional work experience, is a rare opportunity offered to individuals with an outstanding record of early achievement and leadership.  So what is Harvard looking for in these essays that will set you apart? Actually, HBS is looking for many of the common characteristics they seek in all MBA candidates, Mills says. “The mission of HBS is to educate leaders who will make a difference in the world as well as evidence of the three qualities they seek in all applicants: the habit of leadership, analytical aptitude and appetite, and engaged community citizenship,” he explains. 

“I think it’s important for candidates to think about how the essay questions are really trying to assess those qualities and traits — and then try to find a balance among them. In some ways there’s a trade- around being overly analytical at the expense of not being very human or community-oriented. Likewise, there’s a tradeoff in being a strong leader, but also potentially not knowing how or when to be a follower or team player. I think that some of these questions are intended to probably get a gauge of how folks are navigating that balance.

Consider Community Broadly

Because community engagement is one of those three “pillar” traits HBS seeks, Mills and Belden advise candidates to think deeply about that — and think broadly about what constitutes community.

“We are all part of one or more communities ; it is not only limited to membership in a marginalized group,” Mills says. You could choose to share involvement in any group where you have invested a lot of your time and invested in other people, Belden adds. It could be a consulting club or a group for Muslim students you launched; it could be a leadership role in a fraternity or sorority or a community-based project in the town where your university is located. 

The key, Belden says, is to explain why you were drawn to those experiences, and to focus on impact. What kept you involved, what did you learn, and how did you contribute to or improve others’ experience? 

“In any of these communities Michel mentioned, you will probably have had conversations, discussions, and situations that map to the personal essay prompts. In shaping your essay, consider where in those situations have you been a leader? What have you stepped up to do? How did you support others?” Mills advises.

“Past performance is the best indicator of future performance,” Belden notes. ”HBS expects you to be engaged and contributing to their community, and this essay prompt aims to get an early snapshot of what you will look like as a student in the HBS space. If you were an engaged undergrad, they can envision you being an engaged student as well.” 

HBS seeks to put together a class that is rich in different backgrounds, experiences, and career trajectories, so the 2+2 program gives some preference to applicants from lower socioeconomic background and first-generation college students. “This could also be an opportunity to talk explicitly about things you have done outside of school, like going back to help your hometown community or your family, says Mills.

A cing the Career Questions

HBS understands that when you are applying to an MBA program in your early 20s, your long-term career plans are mostly forecasting a rather generalized future that can change greatly. 

Still, in answering these questions, it’s important to make sure your long-term career vision is clearly tied to the career goals you noted in the short-answer question in the application. Most applicants will have a post-graduation job lined up, or have some solid options in mind, and you should be able to write with some specificity about what you will do and the skills and knowledge you hope to gain. Again, it’s important to explain why that role or opportunity attracts you and how it ties to your long-term career plan. 

“When you’re applying to elite schools like this, you need to be able to speak to what you want to do afterwards:  What is your space — health care, clean tech? — and why? How do you plan to get there?” Belden says. 

More than STEM Stars

MBA programs use early admission / deferred entry programs like the 2+2 program to spot and attract top talent early, especially those bright young leaders who might be on a different career path than those in finance and consulting careers who traditionally head to business school. “They want to get people for whom business school is not necessarily in their plan right now, but they have the capacity to go on and do great things,” says Mills. 

In that light, HBS says it gives some preference to 2+2 applicants planning to work in an operating company, in a technically demanding role, or in an entrepreneurial setting. That leads to a perception that deferred entry programs are trying to attract STEM candidates who are in high demand elsewhere. While it’s true that in the past, the 2+2 program admitted a higher percentage of candidates with STEM backgrounds, non-STEM candidates should not worry that they are disadvantaged. 

Of the 118 candidates admitted through the 2+2 program in 2023, 36% were math and physical sciences majors; 16% studied engineering and 14% studied economics, while 22% majored in business. Another 8% majored in social sciences and 3% in arts.

The emphasis on math and science-based fields naturally reflects that pillar trait of an interest and aptitude for analytics, which is critical in any business sector today. Mills points out people who are majoring in STEM are not necessarily ending up in STEM careers. “I think about the person who studied chemistry or applied mathematics, who goes to McKinsey,” People in engineering or computer science are still going to work at Google or Facebook, possibly not in technical roles, he adds. 

The key is to remember that you are applying for an opportunity to gain stellar business and leadership skills that can make an impact in any field— and then make a case for how you will use these skills to make an impact.  

• Posted on March 1, 2024

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• Harvard Business School Essay Tips and Examples

May 18, 2023

Jeremy Shinewald

Harvard Business School Essay Analysis, 2023–2024

Applicants to Harvard Business School (HBS) have incredible leeway in their essay (with respect to both topic and length) to write about whatever they believe is most important for the admissions committee to know about them, beyond what is conveyed via the other elements of their application. Given that the program’s prompt has not changed in years , we assume that the program’s admissions committee must feel confident that this approach and question are effective at eliciting the kind of information they find valuable when evaluating candidates. Our analysis of the prompt and advice on the best way to approach it likewise remain largely unchanged. If you would like even more targeted guidance on approaching and writing your HBS essay, along with annotated essays from actual past applicants, check out our book “What Matters?” and “What More?”: 50 Successful Essays for the Stanford GSB and HBS (and Why They Worked) .

“As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA Program?” (900-word limit)

Take special note of the word “more” in this straightforward question. With it, the admissions committee is acknowledging that it already has a lot of information about you that it can and will use to get to know you better, including your resume, extracurricular activities, recommendations, short-answer question responses, academic transcripts, and test scores. You should therefore approach this essay by first thinking about what these portions of your application convey about who you are as an individual and candidate, so you can determine which parts of your profile still need presenting or could benefit from more detail. Now, some applicants might think this means they absolutely cannot mention anything that is included elsewhere in their application, for fear that this will annoy the admissions committee, leading to a rejection. However, HBS is not asking only for fresh information—it is asking for more , and specifically, whatever “more” you believe the committee needs to evaluate you thoroughly and fairly. So, even though a bullet on your resume might inform the school of a certain fact, if a profoundly important story lurks behind that fact that you feel effectively expresses a key part of your personality or skill set, you should not feel hesitant to share that story. That said, we are not advocating for you to explore your resume in depth, just trying to convey that “more” here does not mean strictly “thus far unmentioned.”

Before we discuss a few approaches you might take in framing this essay, we must note that your goal in writing it is sincerity . The admissions committee is not staffed by robots, seeking to detect a certain “type” of applicant. These are human beings who are trying to get to know you and really want to end up liking you! With this essay, you essentially want to forge a meaningful connection with a complete stranger, and if you try to present yourself as something or someone you are not, you will fail. 

You, like many other applicants, might worry that your sincere stories will sound clichéd. For example, if you want to write about making a difference, you probably cringe simply thinking those words: “making a difference.” But the power of your story does not lie in the theme you choose (if you choose to write thematically, that is) but in the manner in which you reveal your actions. If you have truly made a significant difference in the lives of others and can own that angle by offering powerful anecdotes and demonstrating a deep emotional connection to others and profound purpose in your acts, you can write on this topic. Although more than a few candidates will undoubtedly submit clichéd pieces on making a difference, if you can capture your admissions reader’s attention fully and make a strong enough impression, the cliché aspect will disappear, and they will be impressed by your actions and character.  

So, what approach might you take to this essay? The prompt is so open-ended that we cannot possibly capture all possible options, but here are a few:

• Thematic approach: You could write about a characteristic or attribute that has woven its way throughout your life or that you have incorporated into your life. Do some self-exploration and see if you can identify a thread that is common to your greatest achievements, thereby illustrating its importance in bringing you to where you are today. Simply stating that theme is not enough, though—you need to really guide your reader through the illustrative events in your life to show how and why this theme manifests. In the end, your values are what need to come to the fore in this essay, rather than just a series of discrete episodes. (Note that highlighting your values is necessary with any approach you take to your HBS essay.) 
• Inflection points : Maybe the key events and aspects of your life cannot be neatly captured or categorized within a neat and tidy theme. People are complex, meaning that many are not able to identify a singular “force” that unifies their life experience. If this is you, do not worry—instead, consider discussing a few inflection points that were instrumental in shaping the individual you are today. This does not mean writing a very linear biography or regurgitating your resume in detail. The admissions committee does not need or want such a summary and is instead interested in your ability to reflect on the catalysts in and challenges to your world view and the manifestations thereof. Likewise, you do not need to offer a family history or an overarching explanation of your existence. Simply start with the first significant incident that shaped who you are as an adult, and again, ensure that your essay ultimately reveals your values. 
• Singular anecdote : Although this is rare, you might have had a single standout experience that could serve as a microcosm of who you are and what you stand for. If this experience or moment truly defines you and strikes at the essence of your being, you can discuss it and it alone. Do not worry that offering just one anecdote will make your essay seem “skimpy” or present you as one-dimensional, as long as the story has inherent strength and power. You will need to delve into the narrative and let the story tell itself; if you are choosing to write a singular anecdote, the story should be sufficiently compelling on its own, without a lot of explanation.
• Mosaic approach: As complex humans, we are not driven by just one value, but by several. The mosaic approach allows you to connect seemingly unrelated stories that reveal different sides of you. The challenge with this approach is that you must be thoughtful about how you link everything; otherwise, your essay might easily read like a random assortment of examples, leaving the admissions reader scratching their head and wondering what they were supposed to learn from it. For this approach to work well, the transitions between the themes need to be smooth and natural. 

You might have read through these four options and thought, “What about a fifth option, in which I discuss my goals and why HBS? Certainly they want to know about that!” HBS admissions officers are straight shooters—if they wanted candidates to write about their goals and why HBS, or wanted them not to, the prompt would come right out and say so. The reality is that most people should not use this essay to discuss their career ambitions and interest in HBS, because doing so will not reveal that much “more” about them. For example, if you are a consultant who plans to return to consulting after graduation, we cannot imagine a scenario in which discussing your goals and why you need an HBS MBA would constitute an effective use of this essay. However, if you are a medic at a bush hospital in Uganda and are applying to HBS with the goal of commercializing low-cost technologies to fight infectious diseases, this might well be a fitting topic for your essay, as you seek to connect the dots between your unusual (in a positive sense) career path and your aspirations. In short, for most candidates, we would suggest eschewing a “Why MBA? Why HBS?” approach, but in a few rare cases, it could be appropriate and compelling. 

Finally, let us talk about the word limit. Before HBS elected to stipulate any such parameter, most of our clients used between 850 and 1,000 words, so the 900-word restriction should not prevent anyone from sharing their full story with the admissions committee. In short, take the space you need to tell your story properly and showcase your personality and experience, and then work to reduce your essay to fit the allowed word count in a way that does not sacrifice any impact or effectiveness. 

Have the Last Word: The Post-Interview Reflection (conditional on being interviewed)

HBS asks candidates who are granted an interview to complete one additional written task. Within 24 hours of interviewing, you must submit some final words of reflection in response to the following prompt: “What was the highlight of your interview and why did this resonate with you? Is there anything else you would like to share now that you’ve had time to reflect on your interview?” HBS urges interviewed applicants not to approach this task with the intent to produce a “formal” essay but instead one that is “informal, unrehearsed, and in your own words.” The length of the essay should be roughly 300 to 450 words.

Some candidates might find this additional submission intimidating, but we encourage you to view it as an opportunity to reveal more of your personality and values to the admissions committee, and possibly even a new aspect of your profile. Be genuine in your response and share what you learned, heard, or discussed in your interview that made the biggest impact on you and further heightened your enthusiasm about attending the school. The moment or topic that had the most pronounced effect on you will give the admissions committee further insight into your character and motivations (this is a good thing, not something to fear!). The more the school can see you as a dynamic individual, the better, so do not try to formulate what you think the “right” answer must be and instead share your authentic thoughts and feelings. 

The latter part of the prompt invites you to include new information as well, if this is appropriate. Perhaps something you discussed with your interviewer later triggered a thought, observation, or memory of an event or accomplishment that you think would be interesting to the admissions committee and additive to your candidacy. If so, this is your chance to convey that additional input or story. Be careful not to just tack on something new for the pure sake of doing so—it should relate clearly to some aspect of the conversation you had. If your interviewer touched on a similar or related story or subject in your meeting, that would open the door for you to introduce the new content or anecdote.

As soon as your interview is over, jot down all the topics covered and stories you discussed. If you interview on campus, note also any observations about your time there. For example, sitting in on a class might have reminded you of a compelling past experience, or participating in the case method might have provided insight into an approach you could use in some way in the future. Maybe the people you met or a building you saw made a meaningful impression on you. Whatever these elements are, tie them to aspects of your profile while adding some new thoughts and information about yourself. This last part is key—simply describing your visit will not teach the admissions committee anything about  you , and a flat statement like “I loved the case method” will not make you stand out. Similarly, offering a summary of everything the admissions committee already knows about you will not advance your candidacy and would constitute a lost opportunity to keep the committee learning about who you are.

HBS has offered some additional advice on the post-interview reflection that we strongly urge you to take seriously and follow:

• We will be much more generous in our reaction to typos and grammatical errors than we will be with pre-packaged responses. Reflections that give any indication that they were produced before you had the interview will raise a flag for us.
• We do not expect you to solicit or receive any outside assistance with this exercise.

For a thorough exploration of HBS’s academic offerings, defining characteristics, crucial statistics, social life, community/environment, and other key facets of the program, please download your free copy of the  mbaMission Insider’s Guide to Harvard Business School .

The Next Step—Mastering Your HBS Interview

Many MBA candidates find admissions interviews stressful and intimidating, but mastering this important element of the application process is definitely possible—the key is informed preparation. Download your complimentary copy of the  Harvard Business School Interview Guide  today, and be sure to also check out our tailored  HBS Mock Interview and Post-Interview Reflection Support .

Reapplicant Essay

Please use this space to share with the admissions committee how you have reflected and grown since your previous application and discuss any relevant updates to your candidacy (e.g., changes in your professional life, additional coursework, and extracurricular/volunteer engagements). (250 words).

Thankfully, this essay is pretty straightforward. Whether you have improved your academic record, received a promotion, begun a new and exciting project, increased your community involvement, or taken on some sort of personal challenge, the key to success with this essay is conveying a very deliberate path of achievement. HBS wants to know that you have been actively striving to improve yourself and your profile, and that you have seized opportunities during the time since you last applied to do so, because a Harvard MBA is vital to you. The responses to this essay question will vary greatly from one candidate to the next, because each person’s needs and experiences differ. We are more than happy to provide one-on-one assistance with this highly personal essay to ensure that your efforts are presented in the best light possible.

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The Scoop on Deferred MBA Admissions

Are you a college senior who is thinking about attending a top business school in the future? Then today’s post is for you! A growing number of business schools have created programs that target younger applicants through deferred MBA admissions. Read on to learn more about this exciting alternative route to b-school.

What are deferred MBA admissions programs?

What do deferred mba programs look for in applicants, how we approach deferred mba admissions, why our clients apply via deferred mba admissions, should i apply now or wait for the regular process in 2-4 years.

• Deferred MBA admissions program options

Deferred programs are for college students who haven’t held a full-time job upon application submission. The most common model for deferred MBA admissions programs is to apply as a college senior (undergrad or grad). First, you gain admission, and then you work for two to four years before starting the program.

Throughout the deferral period, MBA program admits can access valuable networks and engage career resources within the university. Without a doubt, the most coveted deferred MBA admissions program for SBC clients is the HBS 2+2 Program.

With this model, successful admits work for two years upon college graduation and then attend HBS for two years–hence the program name, “2+2.”  HBS can approve a third year if you’re working on something reasonable—not lying on a beach in Bali!

Our SBC team includes many deferred MBA program experts. In fact, it includes two former HBS Admissions Officers who helped launch the 2+2 Program. Geri , a former HBS Admissions Officer who now works on the SBC team shared, “I was closely involved when 2+2 was launching, so I remember this time well. The HBS class demographics certainly shift over a period of time, sometimes driven by HBS priorities. For example, based on faculty feedback (seeing a lack of flexibility in thinking from students who had been working for many years), the school began to experiment with admitting people with fewer years of work experience. This ultimately led to the 2+2 (deferred admit) program.”

Another former HBS Admissions Officer and SBC consultant clarified, “The main impetus for starting HBS 2+2 was to attract students who would never apply to b-school. They are looking for all the same qualities and credentials as they do for the regular pool. But, then they are also looking for scientists, engineers, techies, and entrepreneurs, to name a few. HBS really hoped they would find young people who saw the deferred admission as an opportunity to take a risk and do something a little bit off the beaten path.”

Our successful college senior applicants are those who have shown leadership and made a noteworthy impact in some way. Also, they are often outside of the typical or traditional MBA candidate profile. For example, we worked with an HBS 2+2 applicant who graduated college early to take an internship working on the heroin epidemic in Washington D.C.

A Clear Eye to the Future

In addition, deferred MBA admissions admits usually have clear career plans and already know how a business education will aid their aspirations. Of course, they don’t need to be 100% married to a job or industry. But they do understand what community they want to serve or problems they want to tackle in the short term.

Deferred admissions admits think of the MBA program as a way to build and test hypotheses and access vital networks to move them forward along an already-defined path. A solid framework on where the MBA falls along with the master plan is important for success as a deferred admissions candidate.

Geri , the former HBS Admissions Officer on our SBC team, added,

“The main reservation was that students with only two years of work experience would not have enough to contribute to the classroom and that the classroom discussion (and their fellow students) would suffer because of it.  Fortunately, this did not turn out to be the case. The 2+2 group of students are stand-outs—they are the type of people who can hold their own in the classroom.  And interestingly, while we were concerned about integration, the 2+2’ers reported that their classmates didn’t even know they were 2+2!”

(Read: HBS 2+2 Deferred MBA Program: Get Accepted )

(Must Read: Insider Intel on 2+2 )

But it’s not a program for everyone.

On the other hand, there are some for whom deferred admissions may not be the right plan. MBA applicants who have a tougher time with admit success at the college senior level are the “explorers,” or those who still want to try different things, such as taking a few years at a broad-based employment path, to assess if the MBA is right.

Throughout the application, we need to demonstrate to the MBA admissions committee why they should accept this candidate two to five years ahead of the regular applicant pool. HBS 2+2 typically has only 100 admits available, with about 60 male and 40 female spots. Although, keep in mind that AdCom adjusts the odds further according to industry plan or career path.

Career goal positioning within the application is an important success factor for our college senior clients, who will become the next generation of future global leaders.

The bar is higher for the deferred MBA admissions programs, and we work relentlessly with our clients to reach that threshold.

Our college senior admits tell us that they have great job opportunities in the two years leading up to their MBA program because of their early MBA admission. An admit to a top deferred admissions program also allows the young professional to pursue a different level of risk in the job market since they’ve already locked down the MBA admit.

One can make unconventional career choices—such as opting to work at a start-up over consulting because of the desire for growth, excitement, and impact. As one successful client for Stanford’s deferred MBA admissions program shared:

“The great thing about deferred MBA programs is that you get access to an amazing network of the most interesting, smart people you’ll ever meet years before you even start your MBA. So, connecting with these people early on has enabled me to jump start that self-reflection process by learning from others. That’s a huge benefit of the deferred programs that I think isn’t talked about enough.”

A deferred admissions admit enjoys being part of the MBA community for more years than a traditional MBA admit. These individuals have about four years from admission to graduation to explore the business school experience in depth.

MBA programs often offer check-ins with deferred admissions admits such as in November of each year. At that time, the admit can let the MBA program know when he or she expects to matriculate. Plus, this check-in process gives them the same access to scholarship opportunities.

Hear from our successful deferred MBA admissions clients.

A recent HBS 2+2 admit, and a client of SBC wrote in to say:

“Being a 2+2 admit means you are a part of the larger 2+2 community, which includes both current admits (for multiple years, since admits can defer for 2-4 years) and past 2+2 alumni. One of the first admit events HBS hosted was a panel with previous 2+2 students, and we had the opportunity to hear their stories and ask them questions directly. You are also invited to other quarterly events such as networking events and mock cases that are exclusive to 2+2ers.”

A recent HBS 2+2 admit, who worked comprehensively with SBC, discussed the benefits of the application process this way:

“…definitely don’t NOT apply because you feel like you’re not qualified enough. I can’t believe that I could have missed out on getting admitted to HBS 2+2, had I let my initial self-doubts get the best of me. One thing that helped give me an extra boost of confidence to apply was telling myself that even just the application process itself was a tremendous growth opportunity – a chance to reflect and figure out what my future goals are. And it truly was an awesome experience – I feel like a different, more self-aware person now than before I applied, and in the end, it worked out well!”

There are many upsides to applying as a college senior. First, you have more flexibility with time to schedule test prep and application work. Many seniors are coursework-light when graduation nears, and their academic prowess is ripe and strong. Second, some deferred admissions MBA programs offer perks to college senior applicants. These include things such as waiving the application fee and more leniency with recommendation letters (teacher, advisor, coach, etc).

Top Deferred MBA Admissions Programs

Timing is Everything

This HBS 2+2 admit also sees that the deferred MBA application timing can be optimal over the regular application cycle:

“The good news is, AdCom understands that you are a college student and they don’t expect you to have the same level of accomplishments as someone who’s been out of college for a couple of years. In the regular rounds, the applicants might have had a bit more of a blank canvas to start out with and a greater variety of experiences that they can talk about, but that also means the standard is higher.”

We also hear that there’s peace of mind in securing admission early. As one client shared:

“One of my personal tenets in life is “frontloading is key”, so securing early admission to a program was right up my alley (so I don’t have to worry about admissions once later on).”

Along those lines,  the HBS MBA Voices blog shares the journey of Nikki Philip, a 2+2 admit who planned on working in a remote village in Kenya during those interim years. “Applying to HBS via the 2+2 deferred admissions process allowed me to take the GMAT, apply to HBS, and receive my acceptance all before moving to Kenya after graduation,” she explained.

Assessing the tradeoff of applying as a college senior versus waiting until the regular application round is important. The deferred MBA admissions route isn’t a side door or an easier route into MBA programs. A quality application effort takes a lot of time, diligence, and application fees.

An admit offer comes with the expectation that the applicant will pay the deposit to hold the deferred admit spot. A true intention of following through on that acceptance and matriculating in two years is essential. Apply only if you are sure you will accept, pay the deposit, and matriculate in a few years.

What if I don’t get in?

We are often asked if MBA programs will consider the applicant to be a ‘reapplicant’ if they were dinged from the MBA program at the college senior level two to four years earlier. Should you apply a few years into your career, the admissions committee typically won’t view you as a ‘reapplicant’ and your college senior submission won’t be considered. Accordingly, there’s no downside to trying to apply as a college senior.

We have counseled many clients about the tradeoffs of applying based on their specific career paths. We often see scenarios where applying as a college senior is more favorable because the client’s admit odds are better now.

In other words, the applicant will get into a higher-ranked or better brand MBA program than if that person waited two to four years. Of course, this scenario is nuanced and shaped by career direction, demographics, and other attributes.

Let’s make sure your deferred MBA admissions plan is effective and optimized. Contact us for an  initial free evaluation here .

Visit the HBS 2+2 Program overview here . Check out our How to Get into HBS 2+2 overview here . Read an interview with a successful Stanford GSB deferred MBA admissions client here . An interview with a successful HBS 2+2 deferred MBA admissions client is  here . Finally, you can find additional college senior tips by SBC here .

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team .

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School Kellogg MBA

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School MBA, the Wharton School

HBS Admissions Board at Harvard Business School

Director HBS Admissions at Harvard Business School HBS MBA

Admissions Officer at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB)

Asst Director MBA Admissions at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Director MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business

MBA, Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) Minority Admissions, the GSB Diversity Programs, the GSB

Associate Director MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute

Director, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania Professional Writer

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) NYU Admissions

Assistant Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS) M.S.Ed, Higher Education, U of Pennsylvania

Associate Director MBA Admissions at Columbia Business School (CBS)

Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure.  Ashley  holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years,  Ashley  was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...

Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and  ...

A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally.  Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM.  For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...

Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS).  In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds.  Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students.  In additio ...

Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years.  Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...

Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.  In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School.  Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...

Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...

Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...

Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications.  She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...

Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford.   Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...

Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year.   Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...

Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...

Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team.  During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students.  She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...

Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS).  During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...

Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...

Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director.  Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants.

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Harvard HBS, Stanford GSB and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team: Meet Erin , who was Assistant Director of MBA Admissions at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) and Director of MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Meet Andrea , who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation .

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Learn about our all-in service, meet the sbc consulting team.

(323) 934-3936 info@StacyBlackman.com

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Advice for european mba applicants.

The primary focus of the top business schools in the United States is creating a robust and dynamic classroom experience. Diversity is necessary to achieve this goal; therefore, international candidates make up a significant ... →

50 MBA Essays That Got Applicants Admitted To Harvard & Stanford

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What Matters? and What More? is a collection of 50 application essays written by successful MBA candidates to Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business

I sat alone one Saturday night in a boardroom in Eastern Oregon, miles from home, my laptop lighting the room. I was painstakingly reviewing a complex spreadsheet of household energy consumption data, cell by cell. ‘Why am I doing this to myself? For remote transmission lines?’…I felt dejected. I’d felt that way before, during my summer at JP Morgan, standing alone in the printing room at 3 a.m., binding decks for a paper mill merger that wouldn’t affect my life in the least.

That’s how an analyst at an MBB firm started his MBA application essay to Stanford Graduate School of Business. His point: In a well-crafted essay, he confronts the challenge of finding meaning in his work and a place where he can make a meaningful difference. That is what really matters most to him, and his answer to Stanford’s iconic MBA application essay helped get him defy the formidable odds of acceptance and gain an admit to the school.

Getting into the prestigious MBA programs at either Stanford Graduate School of Business or Harvard Business School are among the most difficult journeys any young professional can make.

NEARLY 17,000 CANDIDATES APPLIED TO HARVARD & STANFORD LAST YEAR. 1,500 GOT IN

This collection of 50 successful HBS and GSB essays, with smart commentary, can be downloaded for $60

They are two of the most selective schools, routinely rejecting nine or more out of every ten applicants. Last year alone, 16,628 candidates applied to both schools; just 1,520 gained an acceptance, a mere 9.1% admit rate.

Business school admissions are holistic, meaning that while standardized test scores and undergraduate transcripts are a critical part of the admissions process, they aren’t the whole story. In fact, the stories that applicants tell the schools in the form of essays can be a critical component of a successful application.

So what kinds of stories are successful applicants to Harvard and Stanford telling their admission officers? For the first time ever, a newly published collection of 50 of these essays from current MBA students at these two schools has been published. In ten cases, applicants share the essays they wrote in applying to both schools so you can see whether they merely did a cut-and-paste job or approached the task anew. The 188-page book, What Matters? and What More?, gains its title from the two iconic essay prompts at Harvard and Stanford.

THOUGHTFUL CRITIQUES OF THE ESSAYS

Stanford can easily boast having the most difficult question posed to MBA applicants in any given year: In 650 words or less, candidates must tell the school what matters most to them and why. Harvard gives applicants ample room to hang themselves, providing no word limit at all, “What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?”

One makes this unusual collection of essays powerful are the thoughtful critiques by the founders of two MBA admissions consulting firms, Jeremy Shinewald of mbaMission and Liza Weale of Gatehouse Admissions. They write overviews of each essay in the book and then tear apart portions by paragraphs to either underline a point or address a weakness. The book became available to download for $60 a pop.

As I note in a foreword to the collection, published in partnership with Poets&Quants, the essay portion of an application is where a person can give voice to who they are, what they have achieved so far, and what they imagine their future to be. Yet crafting a powerful and introspective essay can be incredibly daunting as you stare at a blank computer screen.

APPLICANTS OPEN UP WITH INTIMATE STORIES THAT SHOW VULNERABILITY

One successful applicant to Harvard Business School begins his essay by conveying a deeply personal story: The time his father was told that he had three months to live, with his only hope being a double lung transplant. had to undergo a lung transplant. His opening line: “Despite all we had been through in recent years, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I asked my mother one summer evening in Singapore, ‘What role did I play during those tough times?’”

For this candidate to Stanford Graduate School of Business, the essay provided a chance to creatively engage admission readers about what matters most to him–equality-by cleverly using zip codes as a hook.

60605, 60606, 60607.

These zip codes are just one digit apart, but the difference that digit makes in someone’s life is unfathomable. I realized this on my first day as a high school senior. Leafing through my out-of- date, stained, calculus textbook, I kept picturing the new books that my friend from a neighboring (more affluent) district had. As college acceptances came in, I saw educational inequality’s more lasting effects—my friends from affluent districts that better funded education were headed to prestigious universities, while most of my classmates were only accepted by the local junior college. I was unsettled that this divergence wasn’t the students’ doing, but rather institutionalized by the state’s education system. Since this experience, I realized that the fight for education equality will be won through equal opportunity. Overcoming inequality, to ensure that everyone has a fair shake at success, is what matters most to me.

HOW AN APPLICANT TO BOTH SCHOOLS ALTERED HIS ESSAYS

Yet another candidate, who applied to both Harvard and Stanford, writes about being at but not fully present at his friend’s wedding.

The morning after serving as my friend’s best man, I was waiting for my Uber to the airport and—as usual—scrolling through my phone,” he wrote. “I had taken seemingly hundreds of photos of the event, posting in real time to social media, but had not really looked through them. With growing unease, I noticed people and things that had not registered with me the night before and realized I had been so preoccupied with capturing the occasion on my phone that I had essentially missed the whole thing. I never learned the name of the woman beside me at the reception. I could not recall the wedding cake flavor. I never introduced myself to my friend’s grandfather from Edmonton. I was so mortified that before checking into my flight, I turned my phone off and stuffed it into my carry-on.

The Stanford version of his essay is more compact. In truth, it’s more succinctly written and more satisfying because it is to the point. By stripping away all but the most critical pieces of his narrative, the candidate focuses his essay entirely on his central point: the battle of man versus technology.

Even if you’re not applying to business school, the essays are entertaining and fun to read. Sure, precious few are New Yorker worthy. In fact, many are fairly straightforward tales, simply told. What the successful essays clearly show is that there is no cookie-cutter formula or paint-by-the-numbers approach. Some start bluntly and straightforwardly, without a compelling or even interesting opening. Some meander through different themes. Some betray real personality and passion. Others are frankly boring. If a pattern of any kind could be discerned, it is how genuine the essays read.

The greatest benefit of reading them? For obsessive applicants to two of the very best business schools, they’ll take a lot of pressure off of you because they are quite imperfect.

GET YOUR COPY OF WHAT MATTERS? AND WHAT MORE? NOW

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Sample Essays from Admitted HBS Students

• Sample HBS Essay [2020]: Vulnerable But Invincible
• Sample HBS Essay [2016]: The Mechanical Engineer
• Sample HBS Essay [2015]: The Author

I read the new 2020 Harbus MBA Essay Guide wondering what I was going to gain from it. I’ve been reading HBS MBA application essays for 26 years. I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I also had read the previous Harbus MBA Essay Guide , and the question Harvard is asking hasn’t changed since that one was published. However, while I started The Essay Guide a skeptic, I quickly saw its value, and can whole-heartedly recommend it to HBS applicants. 

Even after having read hundreds of HBS essays, I still found it worthwhile to read The Essay Guide . For applicants who have preconceived notions of what an admissible essay should be, The Essay Guide will open your eyes to 22 successful and different responses. For applicants who are wondering how on earth they should approach their essay, the guide will give them 22 different answers. 

For me it reinforced several valuable lessons:

• There really is no template for a successful HBS essay. The diversity of essays that are acceptable — no pun intended, well maybe a little intended — to Harvard Business School is striking.  
• The commitment of most of the authors to telling their story is also noteworthy. Several said they asked friends to confirm that the essay really mirrors them. Others wrote that they were determined that the essay present an authentic portrait of them.
• Most of the students wrote the essay over the course of months. Give yourself time to draft a persuasive, introspective, and authentic essay. 

Harvard’s question is a fantastic one. It is a probing one. And it requires you to probe yourself so that you can provide a profound reflection of you as you tell the HBS admissions committee what you really want them to know.

A successful Harvard Business School application essay [2020]

This sample essay is from The Harbus MBA Essay Guide and is reprinted with permission from Harbus .  

Essay: Vulnerable But Invincible 

Home country: USA

Previous industry: Consulting

Analysis: The author takes a rather bold approach here. She uses the essay to point to the times when she showed vulnerability in the workplace. This essay presents a strong example of how an essay can be used to complement different aspects of your personality – while resume and application can be used to highlight accomplishments, the essay has been intelligently used to show author’s capacity to be strong enough to talk about situations when she broke down in a professional capacity, but took lessons from each of these situations and employed them to her strength.

I have cried exactly four times at work.

The first time was early in my career. It was 2AM and I was lying in bed struggling with an Excel model. An overachiever my whole life, I was wholly unused to the feelings of inadequacy and incompetence bubbling up inside me. After clicking through dozens of Excel forums with still no right answer, I gave up and cried myself to sleep, vowing to never let myself feel so incapable again.

The second time was a year and a half later. I was unsatisfied with my project and role, and questioning my decision to be a consultant. That uncertainty must have been apparent to everyone, because my manager pulled me aside and bluntly told me that my attitude was affecting the entire team. I cried in front of him, devastated that I had let my doubts bleed into my work.

The third time was just a year ago. I was overseeing a process redesign and struggling to balance the many changes needed. The Partner called me into his office to say, “I’m worried our process is not as sound as it needs to be. I need to know that you care about this as much as I do.” I nodded, say that I do, then ran to the bathroom to cry, overwhelmed by how much change I knew was coming.

Each of the first three times was driven by frustration and anger. I had tamped down my emotions to the point where they overwhelmed me. Particularly as a young woman in business, I never wanted to be viewed as a stereotype or incapable. I was ashamed of my tears and terrified at how others would perceive me.

However, each of those experiences proved to be a turning point. My tears motivated me to ask for help when I needed it, pushed me to restructure my mindset and approach, and gave me a moment to breathe, rebalance, and reprioritize. In each case, my work was better for it. I have also used each experience as a learning moment. Each time I asked myself what decisions led me to the point of tears, and what I could have done differently. I could have raised my hand earlier for help, initiated a conversation with my manager about my uncertainty and dissatisfaction, or involved the Partner more actively in the planning and prioritization. While I can’t change the past, I can learn from it, and am more considerate of such outcomes when I make these decisions today.

Emotions are an inevitable part of the human experience, and as such, an inevitable part of the office. Rather than keeping them at bay, I have begun embracing my emotions to be a better manager and leader, and build more authentic connections. As a manager, I understand my team as people, not just colleagues. I have regular conversations with each of my team members to understand their individual goals and motivations, so I can take those into consideration when building the team structure and delegating responsibilities. As a leader, I invest in traditions and events that foster camaraderie and high morale. I am the proud founder of [NAME OF OFFICE PROGRAM] in the office, a beloved tradition that is now an integral part of the office and that I hope will continue even after I leave.

The fourth time I cried was at the rollout of a process redesign I oversaw. This was our first time demo-ing the new process end-to-end for the rest of the team. As the demo progressed, I felt the team’s energy turn from nervous anticipation to dawning excitement, and finally to sheer awe and amazement. As the demo ended, one of my teammates turned to me, and asked in a hushed voice, “Are you crying?” And I was. This time, I cried not with frustration or anger. This time, I cried with joy for our success and with pride for my team. Embracing my emotions allowed me to show that tears are not shameful and don’t need to be hidden in the workplace. I am no longer ashamed of my tears, and I am proud to demonstrate that a strong leader can be pragmatic and emotional all at once.

Word count: 705

Author’s comment: “I started early on my essay (~ 3 months before the submission deadline) because it was important to me to iterate and be thoughtful. I started by laying out potential themes and stories for my essay, and while there are a lot of similarities, the core message changed quite a bit. Don’t get too attached to any one story or theme and allow yourself to let go of a draft if it’s not the right one. What I found most helpful was having 2-3 close friends that I trust wholeheartedly review multiple drafts, because they were able to provide continuous feedback and help me combine pieces from multiple drafts. None of them had ever gone to or applied to business school, but were experienced in writing and communication (e.g. one is a screenwriter) which helped me focus on communicating MY story more so than what is the story that HBS Admissions would most like.”

A successful Harvard Business School application essay [2016]

This sample essay is from  The Harbus MBA Essay Guide  and is reprinted with permission from Harbus. 

Essay: The Mechanical Engineer

Author’s home country: United States of America Author’s previous industry/profession: Operations consulting, operations management  Author gender: Male

Analysis:   The author focuses his essay on two themes – his professional experience as an operations consultant and an experience which motivated him to go for an MBA. Through the essay, the author is able to highlight his professional skills, achievement as well as give a clear picture of his long-term career plans and his reasons for doing an MBA.

I’m [APPLICANT’S FIRST NAME] and I have journeyed here from the hallowed grounds of [APPLICANT’S U.S. NEW ENGLAND HOMETOWN], where I spent my formative years amid wild dreams of achieving greatness by setting world records and winning the Olympics. As I’ve hung up my [OLYMPIC SPORT’S TRADITIONAL SHOES] in favor of business shoes, those dreams have evolved into a desire to achieve greatness in a different arena. Today, my dream centers on helping companies leverage technology to propel their operations into the future, providing unparalleled customer service and delivery, with an operational efficiency to match.

I graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in [GRADUATION YEAR] and spent my first 3 years out of college working as an operations consultant. It was my job to walk into a manufacturing plant and drive significant operational change – for example, I once spent 3 months walking the sticky floors of a milk plant in [MID-SIZED U.S. SOUTHEASTERN CITY] helping plant management boost throughput by 30% in order to take on a new customer. We accomplished this goal with zero capital spend, a feat many had believed was impossible. In our projects, the biggest challenge was almost always convincing managers to reach for that extra tad of unseen opportunity hiding within the operation, because oftentimes it was very difficult to look beyond the daily struggles that plagued their operations. I worked directly with 5-8 person “rapid results teams,” coaching them on how to think about operational improvement, motivating them to sprint towards it, and leading them through the analysis required to capture it. I left those milk, water and oil sands plants with many enduring friendships and inspiring operational victories borne from our journey from ambitious goals to concrete results.

<< READ: What is HBS Looking For? >>

I’ve spent the past two years working in supply chain management at a private industrial goods supplier. I chose direct management because I wanted to drive these same inspirational improvements in an operation I owned. My role was to manage and improve the operation, and through my experience, I learned the nuts and bolts of the supply chain industry. However, my dream of innovating supply chain operations pushed me to consider transitioning to an organization with an ambitious, transformative purpose. In fact, last year I had a unique opportunity to reflect on what type of impact matters to me. This opportunity was my first ever trip to [NORTHWEST AFRICAN REGION], the place of my family’s origin.

On the second day of the trip, I journeyed to [LOCAL NORTHEASTERN AFRICAN TOWN], a small town nestled next an enormous active volcano that is surrounded by a wide expanse of rich volcanic soil, which is used to make wine. This wine is sipped by adventure-seeking tourists relaxing after a long day on the volcano, and thus the town’s two major industries, wine and tourism, are sustained. When we arrived at the town, I was shocked to see it buried by an avalanche of volcanic rock from an eruption [A FEW YEARS PRIOR]. As our guide lamented on the dreary prospects of the Page 2 of 2 town, I was amazed to see just how important these two industries had been to its development.

Through this real world example, I was able to clearly visualize the impact businesses can have on their broader environment, an understanding that had not been as evident to me while working in the larger, more complex American economy. For example, I had spent hours walking among the dilapidated buildings speckling the warehouse district in Cleveland, but only after my trip did I connect them to the decline of the Midwestern manufacturing industry. Upon my return, armed with this broader perspective, I decided my next step would be to attend business school. There I would gain the technical, operational and leadership skills to make my transition to an organization whose goal was to drive change in its broader industry and community, as those wine and tourism companies had done in [LOCAL NORTHEASTERN AFRICAN TOWN OF FAMILY’S ORIGIN].

So, that is how I arrived in front of you today. My goal is to humbly learn as much as I can from our section, our professors, and our experiences. I am excited to get to know you, and will always do my best to support our section intellectually and athletically (we will be the future section Olympics champions!).

How about yourself?

Word Count: 711

Author’s comment:   While the initial draft of my essay did not take more than an hour or two, it was the revision process that I spent a significant amount of time on. I think the most important part of the essay writing process is to ensure that your story and personality come through – and this is perhaps the most difficult part! To help with this, I had individuals who were not as familiar with my story and why I wanted to go to business school provide me with feedback in addition to those with whom I worked closely.

Linda’s comment:

I would hate for any of you to read this essay or any of the other essays in  The Harbus MBA Essay Guide , which I recommend, and think “This is a great template. I’m going to tell a story just like this one!” Bad idea. Wrong response.

The one take-away from this essay and the other successful essays in this book is that the reader feels a little like s/he is meeting the author – not someone else and not some masked being.  Individuality is the common thread in those essays; it isn’t brilliant prose or incredible writing. It’s authenticity and humanity. And yes, the author is accomplished too.

I chose this essay from the Harbus collection because I know there are many engineers applying. Some — both in and out of their field — think of the profession as boring or common. But this essay is neither boring nor common. I loved it because the writer comes to life, and  his passion  and personality shine through. He doesn’t get bogged down in technicalities, industrial jargon, or an alphabet soup of acronyms. He tells his story with energy and clarity, from his perspective, and with a focus on his impact.

Now that’s an example you can follow: Tell  your  story with energy and clarity, from  your  perspective, and with a focus on  your  impact.

Check out what recent applicants have to say about working with Accepted:

A successful harvard business school application essay [2015], the 2014-15 harvard business school essay question:.

You’re applying to Harvard Business School. We can see your resume, academic transcripts, extracurricular activities, awards, post-MBA career goals, test scores, and what your recommenders have to say about you. What else would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy?

This sample essay is from The Harbus MBA Essay Guide and is reprinted with permission from Harbus.  

Essay: The Author

Author’s Background: Finance & Media

The author sets the stage for the remainder of the essay by first presenting a notable accomplishment of hers and then explicitly illustrating the entrepreneurial drive and diligence she used to see it through. More importantly, the author’s opening introduces a theme – storytelling – that is consistently interwoven through different stages of her life. The reader is lead through the author’s childhood, professional and extracurricular experiences, along with accomplishments, all the while being reminded of the integral role storytelling has played. Beyond highlighting her gift, or passion for the art of storytelling, the author goes on to connect this theme with her future career ambitions, as well as describe how this could also serve the HBS community.

In 2012, I realized a life ambition – I completed my first novel, all while working full time at [Top U.S. Investment Bank]. I could not wait to share it with the world and eagerly went in search of a literary agent. But each agent I contacted declined to represent my novel.

Storytelling is my lifelong passion; it saw me through a difficult childhood. After my father left, my mother raised me as a single parent in [U.S. City/State], a rural Bible Belt town two hours south of [U.S. State]. We did not have much money and that coupled with my bookishness made me a target for bullies. Books and writing were an escape; they gave me an avenue to articulate the feelings of abandonment and powerlessness I otherwise did not want to express. Writing made me happy and the more I wrote, the more my talent blossomed. I began to win awards and my work was published in youth literary journals. These experiences made me more confident, a key part of my success later in life. It all started with a pen, a notebook, and my imagination. Nevertheless, I was passionate about my work and was determined to put it into readers’ hands. In true entrepreneurial fashion, I self-published my novel through the digital platforms Smashwords and Createspace. I worked with a promotional expert to organize a month-long book tour to promote the book to prominent book bloggers and their readers. The result? My novel has received multiple 5-star reader reviews, from Amazon to Goodreads, and was a semifinalist for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

Stories are an integral part of the human experience. They uplift and inspire, give us permission to dream and to visualize what could be. Storytelling has been an integral part of my career, from building financial models at [Top U.S. Investment Bank] that illustrated my expectations for the companies that I covered to delivering a presentation to [International Daily Newspaper] ’s chief revenue officer explaining why reducing ad prices for tender house advertisers would not lead to an increase in revenue.

My passion has also informed my growth as a leader; I believe my most impactful expressions of leadership have been my efforts to help others write the narratives of their own lives and careers. At [Top U.S. Investment Bank], I created an informal mentorship program for female and minority interns and first-year analysts in the research division and led a “soft skills” class to help new analysts handle difficult interpersonal situations. For four years, I’ve mentored a young Hispanic woman through Student Sponsor Partners, a nonprofit that gives low-income students scholarships to private high schools. Being a mentor gave me the privilege of guiding another first generation college student along what I know can be a lonely, difficult path. This fall, she started college with a full scholarship.

Storytelling will be a part of my future career path; as an MBA graduate, my goal is to obtain a position in strategy and business development at an entertainment company that specializes in film or television. Long term, I want to start a multimedia and merchandising company with a publishing arm (books and magazines) as well as film, TV, and digital operations. Using strong, fictional heroines and informative lifestyle content, my company’s goal will be to educate and inspire women to become their best selves. My particular focus is creating compelling, multidimensional characters to inspire young women of color, who are constantly bombarded by negative images of women who look like them in media.

I’m pursuing a Harvard MBA because I want to become a better business strategist and strong general manager. Also, I want to further develop my leadership and presentation skills as I will manage professionals on the content and business side; it will be my task to unite them behind a shared strategic vision. Specifically, I want to learn how to motivate teams and individuals to perform at their highest level, and to become more adept at persuasion and generating “buy-in” from others. Harvard’s unique approach using the case method and emphasis on leadership development will challenge me to grow in both these areas. I also feel that I have much to contribute to Harvard’s community. My varied background in finance and media has given me a unique perspective that will be valuable in classroom discussions and team projects. I want to share my passion for the entertainment industry with my classmates by chairing the Entertainment & Media club and planning conferences, career treks, and other opportunities.

My background gives me the capacity for fearless thinking that is needed to meet the challenges of the entertainment industry’s shifting landscape. A Harvard MBA will strengthen that foundation and help me to become the kind of dynamic leader who can bring the vision for my own company to life and be at the forefront of entertainment’s structural shift.

Time & Effort: “It was about 6 or 7 drafts. Not sure on the hours.”

Word Count: 805

This sample essay is from The Harbus MBA Essay Guide and is reprinted with permission from Harbus . We highly recommend the book!

If you would like advice on responding to this year’s HBS essay question, (which is different from the 2014-15 prompt) please read our Harvard Business School essay tips .

Linda’s comments:

Bottom line: You want your readers to feel like that they are meeting you — not someone else, not a scripted piece of shallow PR devoid of personality and humanity, and not some phony combo of you and the author of an essay in a guidebook or on a website. They really and truly want to meet you!

So think about your story. 

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• Deferred MBA Programs Application Deadlines 2024

Guide to 2024 Deferred MBA Applications: Deadlines, Essays, and More

Erin Wand - Personal MBA Coach

Erin Wand is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

An increasing number of top business schools offer deferred MBA programs , enabling current undergraduate students to apply during their senior year or master’s degree students to apply during their final year of studies.

These deferred MBA programs  give high-achieving students the opportunity to secure admission to a top MBA program before joining the workforce. Typically, students will work for two to five years prior to beginning their MBA studies (however, there are some exceptions, as explained below).

To help you begin developing your deferred MBA target school list and application strategy, Personal MBA Coach would like to share some general deferred MBA application tips along with an overview of some of the MBA application essays and deadlines for some of the top deferred MBA programs.

How a deferred MBA program application differs from a full-time MBA application

One of the most common questions Personal MBA Coach is asked is: How is the deferred MBA application different from the full-time MBA application?

For most programs, the MBA application essays are the same for both programs. However, for a few programs, including the Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program and UVA Darden ’s Future Year Scholars Program, there are a few differences in the essay questions to be on the lookout for.

Regardless of the essays, below are five key things deferred MBA applicants should keep in mind:

1. Your goals should include pre-MBA work

In nearly all cases, your approach to a “goal statement” should vary a bit in a deferred MBA application. Specifically, you should begin any goal discussion with a brief overview of your post-college and pre-MBA plans.

The most successful deferred MBA applicants will either have a job already secured by the time they submit their applications or have a very strong idea of their post-college plans. While you do not need to write excessively about your plans, a few sentences discussing what you hope to accomplish before starting your MBA studies, how this experience will allow you to contribute on campus, and most importantly, how this role will prepare you to succeed post-MBA are crucial.

2. Your goals can be a bit less fleshed out

While Personal MBA Coach encourages all candidates to have fully developed post-MBA goals, the expectations are a bit lower for deferred MBA applicants.

Most candidates have not worked in their targeted industry and may have less insider knowledge of what their future role will entail. This is actually okay. You want to show that you have clearly thought about what you want to accomplish in your career, but this vision does not have to be as detailed for a deferred MBA applicant. 

3. Leadership is still key

The bar is high for deferred MBA applicants; with small programs, the acceptance rates for deferred programs can actually be lower than for the traditional full-time, non-deferred programs. This means that leadership is a key differentiator.

Even though applicants will have limited professional experience, a demonstrated track record of leadership is important. Involvement on campus, or even in high school, can be a great way to demonstrate this leadership. Similarly, strong extracurriculars are likely to work in your favor. If you are considering applying for a deferred MBA in a few years, this is a great time to beef up your work outside of the classroom.

4. GPA and GMAT scores are just as (if not more) important

Without a professional track record to evaluate, admissions directors are likely to rely more heavily on numerical data including GPA and GMAT/GRE for deferred MBA applicants. If there is still time, put in the extra effort to maximize your grades. Similarly, be extra critical as you evaluate your test score and ensure that you have maximized your potential.

5. Professional experience still matters

Nearly all deferred MBA applicants have some professional experience to discuss. This can come in the form of summer internships, in-semester internships, or entrepreneurial ventures outside of work. Wherever possible, look for opportunities to step up in these roles by going beyond the expectations of your role, taking on extra projects, or helping out around the office.

6. STEM is in demand

While, naturally, this will vary from school to school, STEM majors tend to do better at some top schools. That said, traditional finance applicants (and those with other majors) are still accepted each year. Plus, not all schools have a strong preference for STEM.

Outside of these areas, Personal MBA Coach’s MBA application advice for full-time applicants will also apply for deferred MBA candidates. For our most recent MBA application tips, download our Top MBA Application Tips eBook .

Application requirements, MBA essays, and MBA application deadlines for top deferred MBA programs

Harvard business school 2+2.

• Harvard Business School ’s 2+2 program requires at least two years of professional work experience. Students then spend two years in the regular HBS MBA program.
• Essay: As we review your application, what more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for the Harvard Business School MBA program? (no limit noted)
• The upcoming deadline is April 25, 2024.

Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program

• Those accepted to The Wharton School ’s Moelis Advance Access program must complete two to four years of professional experience before they begin their studies as a Wharton MBA student.
• Essay 1: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short- and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words maximum)
• Essay 2: Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words maximum)
• The upcoming deadline is April 24, 2024.

Columbia Deferred Enrollment Program

• Columbia Business School ’s deferred MBA program gives students the flexibility to begin their studies two to five years after college graduation.
• Essay 1: Why do you feel you need an MBA to achieve your long-term career goals and why would you like to pursue your MBA at Columbia Business School? (300 words maximum)
• Essay 2: Discuss one experience or situation in your undergraduate or graduate career where you feel you contributed to your community and what you learned from the experience. (300 words maximum)
• The upcoming deadline is April 15, 2024.

Yale SOM Silver Scholars

• After graduating college, students spend their first year at the Yale School of Management , followed by a full-time internship in their second year. Students then return to campus for their third year to complete the MBA program.
• Essay 1: Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. (500 words maximum)
• Essay 2: How did you arrive at your career interests? How have you or will you position yourself to pursue them? (250 words maximum)
• The final deadline is April 9, 2024.

Chicago Booth Scholars Program

• Chicago Booth ’s deferred MBA program requires students to work for up to five years before starting the Full-Time MBA Program or Evening and Weekend MBA Programs.
• Essay 1: How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250 words minimum)
• Essay 2: An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we’d like to learn more about you outside of the office or classroom. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are... (250 words minimum)
• The upcoming deadline is April 4, 2024.

UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program

• Students admitted to Darden ’s deferred MBA program can choose to begin their studies after gaining two to five years of work experience.
• Essay 1: Tell us what you would want your Learning Team to know about you that is not on your resume. (150 words maximum)
• Essay 2: Select the prompt to which you will respond (200 words maximum):
• Q1: Tell us about a time when you acted with a team to solve a problem or seize an opportunity. What role did you play? What did you learn from this experience?
• Q2: Tell us about a time you acted to solve a problem for the greater good. What drew you to this issue? What did you learn from this experience?
• Essay 3: Select the prompt to which you will respond (200 words maximum):
• Q1: Share a time when you learned something related to diversity, equity or inclusion that was previously unknown to you? How did this experience impact your perspective?
• Q2: Share a time when you advocated for a perspective, identity, or community different from your own. How did this experience impact your worldview?
• Essay 4: How does an MBA fit into your career plan? (150 words maximum)
• Short Answer: Darden has an incredible network of alumni and partners around the world, and, in a typical year, the School connects with over 80 countries. If you could choose any location in the world, where would you want to travel? (5 words maximum) And why? (50 words maximum)
• The upcoming deadline is April 8, 2024 and the round two deadline is August 1, 2024.

Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment Program

• Those applying to Stanford GSB ’s deferred MBA program can select the year in which they prefer to enroll. Applicants are typically encouraged to defer for one to four years.
• Essay 1: What matters most to you and why? (650 words suggested)
• Essay 2: Why Stanford? (400 words suggested)

MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission

• If admitted to MIT Sloan ’s deferred enrollment program, students are expected to seek full-time work experience for two to five years before beginning their studies.
• Cover Letter
• 60-second video statement introduction to future classmates
• Second video where you will be prompted to respond to a randomly generated, open-ended question. You have 60 seconds to prepare.
• The upcoming deadline is April 19, 2024.

Kellogg Future Leaders

• Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management holds the spot of those accepted to its deferred enrolment program for two to five years while they gain professional experience.
• Essay 1: Kellogg's purpose is to educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value. Provide a recent example where you have demonstrated leadership and created value. What challenges did you face and what did you learn? (450 words)
• Essay 2: Values are what guide you in your life and work. What values are important to you and how have they influenced you? (450 words)
• The upcoming deadline is April 26, 2024.

Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access

• Those admitted to the Berkeley Haas deferred enrolment program can begin their studies after a two- to five-year deferment period in which they gain work experience.
• Essay 1: What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why? (300 words maximum)
• Essay 2: How will the Haas MBA help you achieve your post-MBA career goals? (300 words maximum)
• Reflect on your ambition: What are your goals and aspirations for the future? Where do you aspire to see this degree take you?
• Now for the "why": How do your goals, passions, and imagination align with your intended path?

Read more about why a deferred MBA might be the right choice for you .

We strongly recommend visiting the official websites of the respective business schools mentioned in this article. Policies, requirements, and deadlines may change, so consulting directly with the schools will provide you with the latest details.

Erin Wand is an mba.com Featured Contributor and the Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Personal MBA Coach , a boutique MBA admissions consulting and tutoring firm.

Founded by a Wharton MBA and MIT Sloan graduate who sits on the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants Board of Directors, Personal MBA Coach has been guiding clients for 14 years and is consistently ranked #1 or #2, currently holding the #1 ranking in the US on Poets&Quants.

We help clients with all aspects of the MBA application process including early planning, GMAT/GRE/EA tutoring, application strategy, school selection, essay editing and mock interviews. Our team includes a former M7 admissions director and former M7 admissions interviewers.

Last year, our clients earned more than $6M in scholarships!

Top 10 Deferred MBA Programs in the US—and How to Get In (2024)

Aiming for an MBA, even while you're still in college? Perfect—learn all about deferred admission MBA programs and receive key insights into the DMBA application process.

Posted May 9, 2024

Featuring Victoria G.

The Summer Before Round 1: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Tuesday, may 28.

3:00 PM UTC · 45 minutes

Table of Contents

Deferred MBA programs are the ultimate opportunity for ambitious college students. Through these programs, you are able to take your standardized test and submit your application while still a senior. Acceptance means securing your place at a top school and having the next 2-5 years to pursue what you want with the safety net of an MBA waiting for you. Applicant pools are smaller (though still very competitive) and the application process is more about proving your potential than showing your accomplishments thus far.

Intrigued? You should be! In this guide, we’ll talk you through what these programs are, who exactly they’re looking for, what it takes to get in, and what the top programs are, along with their class profiles and admission stats. Let’s dive in!

What is a Deferred MBA Program?

In September 2008, Harvard Business School (HBS) accepted its first class of “2+2” applicants. These students applied to Harvard Business School's MBA program, but with one major variation: instead of having full-time work experience under their belts, they were college seniors who would spend the next 2-5 years in the workforce before returning to campus to begin their MBA.

Around the same time, Stanford also made the decision to launch its own deferred admissions program: candidates could apply, usually in their final years of study in college or graduate school, earn admission, then defer enrollment for two to four years after graduating.

Harvard and Stanford's decision to launch this particular type of graduate degree program largely put the deferred MBA on the map, though they certainly weren't the first–Yale had actually launched its Yale Silver Scholar's program seven years earlier, in 2001.

A deferred MBA program is for those applicants who know they want to attend business school but have yet to graduate from college. They're forward-thinking, know they want to earn an MBA, and want to lock in their spot before they leave their undergraduate program. Top universities admit a select cohort of deferred applicants, knowing that these individuals will enter the workforce and pick up somewhere between two and five years of full-time work experience before actually enrolling. Upon enrollment, these deferred admits are part of the same class as those candidates admitted through the traditional application process.

For schools, it's a great way to snap up candidates early, particularly those whom the school might not be able to entice later in their careers. (More on this below.) For candidates, it's a way to secure a spot at a top institution's business school before you graduate, thus giving yourself time, flexibility, and security as you start to pursue a career.

Learn more about the different types of MBA programs in our article, The Different Types of MBA Programs—and Which One is Right for You .

Customizable MBA Application Checklist

Access our free MBA checklist with everything you need to stay organized and additional expert resources.

How are Deferred MBA Programs Different From Traditional Programs?

MBA candidates who apply through the traditional application process usually have already earned between two and five years of work experience. With the deferred MBA program, you're able to apply and secure your spot before entering the workforce. Even better, it’s still a full-time MBA program! You’ll get everything out of the program that traditional applicants/candidates get. Application deadlines typically fall between March and May of your senior year, so if everything goes well, you'll have earned a seat at a top MBA program before the summer after your senior year. In two to five years, depending on your deferral period, you join your MBA program, along with everyone else admitted into the same full-time MBA program. The applications are pretty much the same as a traditional MBA program–they require essays, letters of recommendation, a resume, etc. The approach changes slightly, however, because of the lack of full-time experience. The admissions committees have a lot less to go on so the application really has to show potential loud and clear.

Who Are Deferred MBA Programs Looking For?

Broadly speaking, the top business schools are looking for the same qualifications in their deferred admits as their traditional applicants: leadership, razor-sharp intelligence, and a promising career trajectory.

Of course, there are significant variations. The good news is that each school signals quite clearly what they're looking for in their applicants, which we'll cover more below. At a high level, though, deferred MBA programs are selected from a pool of undergraduates (and, in some cases, grad students). Since these applicants won't have work experience, they need to stand out and shine on the basis of their collegiate internships, GMAT / GRE scores, GPA, and the rigor and excellence of their undergraduate degree studies. Essays and letters of recommendation are also particularly important: the resume of a deferred applicant is not as fleshed out as that of the traditional applicant, so the other parts of the application take on extra significance.

As far as criteria go, deferred enrollment programs are looking for applicants from all different academic disciplines. Yes, they admit those who come from an economic background — finance, business, and economics majors — but they also, and increasingly, welcome those with engineering, STEM, and humanities undergraduate degrees. The flavor of your bachelor’s degree is not so much the consideration as the excellence you showed in your academic transcripts, extracurricular activities, and core curriculum.

Leland is here to make your application stand out, from the essay to the interview, and beyond.

Read our Comprehensive MBA Application Timeline for a look into deadlines and to get organized. Already working on your application? Here is our guide on writing a powerful MBA essay , a key aspect of the application and often one of the most difficult parts for students.

Core Groups Deferred MBA Programs Are Looking For

In addition to these broad-stroke considerations, deferred MBA In addition to these broad-stroke considerations, deferred MBA programs show preference in particular for the following types of candidates:

• Students on clear, high-potential paths
• Students who (of course) fit the flavor and culture of that particular school
• Students from diverse backgrounds, or with unique stories and plans that help them stand out
• Students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds (first-generation college graduates, lower-income families, etc)
• Students heading into operating roles (in tech, retail, etc)
• Students heading into technical roles (industrial tech, manufacturing management, etc)
• Students starting a business or joining a startup

It's worth noting that HBS, in particular, has signaled a strong preference for applicants from the latter four categories. Applicants from these groups are less likely to consider applying for business school in the future; schools like HBS want to capture them early, before they get too immersed in the workforce and decide they don’t need an MBA.

Get Expert Help on Your Application

The best way to have a deferred MBA application that stands out from the crowd and best portrays your story is to work with an expert coach. They have already gone through the process themselves and helped tons of others do so too, so they really know what it takes to get into a top program. Here are some of our most popular MBA coaches, browse all here or get personalized recommendations .

Read more here: How to Stand Out as a Deferred MBA Applicant—From a GSB/HBS Admit and The Deferred MBA Process and Top Programs: An Expert Guide

The Top 10 Deferred MBA Programs

All right — now that we've covered what deferred MBA programs are and what types of candidates they're looking for, let's take a look at the top 10 deferred MBA programs. We'll dive into each program so that you can get a good idea of what programs are out there, and make an informed decision about where you'd like to apply.

At-a-Glance

Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment

• Deadline: Can apply to any round (most will apply to R3 on April 9, 2024)
• Emphasis: Technology, entrepreneurship
• Acceptance Rate: 6-7%
• Application Fee: $100

Ranked first in US News’ 2022 report on top business schools, many think of Stanford as the place to go. With its emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship, it’s a magnet for those interested in the increasingly popular startup world and reaps the benefit of its proximity to Silicon Valley. Many students are drawn to its highly collaborative, down-to-earth culture, beautiful campus, and fine Palo Alto weather. However, at ~6.9%, it has the lowest acceptance rate in the country, so keep in mind that you’ll need a very competitive application to apply here. (PS - Leland can help you stand out, check out our coaches with Stanford MBA experience here .)

Stanford GSB Class Profile

*Stats for the full-time class, which includes the deferred admits. Stanford doesn’t provide deferred-only admit data.

Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment Eligibility

The program is open to college seniors and students in their final year of a bachelor’s degree or joint bachelor/graduate program, with their degree conferred between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024.

Additionally, graduate students who began a master’s degree, PhD, law, or medical degree immediately following an undergraduate or undergraduate/graduate program, and who did not work full-time before starting the graduate program, are eligible if their degree will be conferred within the specified timeframe.

Students who are admitted into Stanford GSB’s Deferred Enrollment program are generally allowed to request to work for up to four years until they must begin MBA coursework. In some cases, the admissions committee may offer an alternate amount of time to a student than initially requested.

Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment Essays

Applicants to the Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment Program are required to write two personal essays, allowing them to express their values, passions, aspirations, and reasons for pursuing an MBA. These essays are the same as those for traditional applicants.

• Reflect deeply and write from the heart about what matters most to you. Once you've identified what matters most, explain why it holds such significance for you. Consider what makes this important, and how your perspectives have been shaped by people, insights, or experiences.
• Describe your aspirations and how your Stanford GSB experience will help you realize them.

Combined, both essays may not exceed 1,050 words, with a recommended limit of up to 650 words for Essay A and up to 400 words for Essay B. It's important to write authentically and concisely, focusing on conveying your genuine voice and motivations.

Here is our overview of the GSB deferred program as well as our guide to an MBA from GSB: GSB Deferred Enrollment Program and Stanford GSB—MBA Program and Application Overview .

Harvard Business School 2+2 Program

• Deadline: April 25, 2024
• Emphasis: Balanced, contemporary
• Acceptance Rate: 9-12%

One of the few programs with existing and accessible data on their deferred enrollment acceptance rates, HBS’ 2+2 Program reports 1,403 applicants with only 9% admitted for its class of 2023, which is a slightly smaller acceptance rate than its general acceptance rate. There is a reason for the high demand: HBS is great for those who want a more balanced education, and it offers plentiful extracurricular/club opportunities, strong network building, and an emphasis on section unity. Its more formal classroom format and higher competition may or may not be a good fit for you.

HBS 2+2 Class Profile

Hbs 2+2 eligibility.

To be considered eligible for Harvard Business School's 2+2 program, applicants must be in their final year of study at the time of application, with graduation scheduled between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. This program is open to undergraduates, joint bachelor/master’s degree program candidates, and master’s degree program students who have not held full-time work positions (excluding internships or co-ops).

HBS 2+2 Essays

The HBS 2+2 program changed its application essays for the first time in many years in the 2023-2024 application cycle. The prompts, each with a limit of 300 words, are now different than those for the full-time program:

• Experiences and Leadership: How have your experiences shaped who you are, how you lead, and how you will contribute at HBS?
• Intellectual Influences: What intellectual experiences have influenced your approach to learning and have led you to pursue an MBA?
• Community Engagement: What communities have you been engaged with that have defined how you invest in others?
• How do the career plans you shared in the Career Plans section of the application fit into your current long-term career vision? What skills and/or professional experiences do you hope to obtain in the deferral period that will help build the foundation for your post-MBA career?

See our guides for the HBS 2+2 application here:

• An Overview of the HBS 2+2 Program
• Harvard Business School—MBA Program and Application Overview
• How to Ace Your HBS 2+2 Interview

Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program

• Deadline: April 24, 2024
• Emphasis: Finance, leadership
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 14-20%

With triple the acceptance rate of Stanford GSB, Wharton still ranked second on US News’ 2022 business school list. The Wharton MBA carries a powerful badge and brand, especially internationally. This Pennsylvania school boasts a very social and supportive atmosphere, and the Wharton community is a good fit for prospective students looking to specialize in finance. 2020 was the first year Wharton opened up the Moelis Advance Access Program to non-U Penn grads, so it's still very fresh.

Wharton Advance Access Class Profile

Wharton advanced access eligibility.

To be eligible for the Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program, applicants must apply during their senior year of undergraduate studies or in the final year of their master’s degree program if they enrolled immediately after completing their undergraduate studies.

Students who receive offers of admission to the program may work for two to four years before coming back to Wharton’s full-time MBA program.

Wharton Advanced Access Essays

First-time applicants must respond to two essay prompts, regardless of whether they are a traditional or deferred applicant.

• How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help you achieve your future professional goals? You might consider your past experience, short and long-term goals, and resources available at Wharton. (500 words)
• Taking into consideration your background – personal, professional, and/or academic – how do you plan to make specific, meaningful contributions to the Wharton community? (400 words)
• Optional Essay : Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like to share with the Admissions Committee. This space can also be used to address any extenuating circumstances (e.g., unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, inconsistent or questionable academic performance, areas of weakness, etc.) that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider. (500 words)

See our Wharton Deferred School Hub at Wharton Moelis Advance Access and our full Wharton hub at The Wharton School—MBA Program and Application Overview . If you’re working on the Wharton application right now, read our Guide to the Wharton Essays .

Kellogg Future Leaders Deferred MBA

• Emphasis: Marketing
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 20%
• Application Fee: None

Ranked fourth on the US News list, Kellogg also specializes in collaboration and socialization in and out of the classroom. Kellogg has a particularly flexible program with an amazing core curriculum; it even includes an option to complete your MBA in just one year. Ask any current students how their experience has been, and they'll tell you they love it.

*Stats for the full-time class, which includes the deferred admits.

Kellogg Deferred MBA Eligibility

Students who are graduating between October 2023 and September 2024 are considered eligible for the Kellogg Future Leaders Deferred MBA program. This includes undergraduates in their final year of study, regardless of their major, as well as master's students who transitioned directly from undergraduate to graduate programs.

Once accepted, students will be able to work for two to five years, after which they can return to any of Kellogg’s MBA programs.

Kellogg Deferred MBA Essays

Applicants are required to address several essay prompts – both long- and short-form – that offer insights into their leadership experiences, values, and future plans.

• Applicants are asked to provide a recent example where they have demonstrated leadership and created value. (This essay, with a maximum of 450 words, prompts candidates to reflect on challenges faced, lessons learned, and the impact of their leadership actions.)
• Candidates are prompted to discuss the values that are important to them and how these values have influenced their lives and work. (With a maximum of 450 words, this essay invites applicants to delve into their personal principles and their role in shaping their decisions and actions.)
• Applicants are required to outline how they intend to spend the next several years prior to joining Kellogg, along with the motivations behind their short- and long-term goals. (This essay has a maximum of 250 words and encourages candidates to articulate their aspirations and the driving forces behind them.)

Short-Answer Questions:

• What drives your interest in these short- and long-term goals? (240 characters)
• What is your desired position after Kellogg? (150 characters)
• What is your long-term career goal? (150 characters)

See our Kellogg Deferred School Hub at Kellogg Future Leaders Program and our full Kellogg hub at the Kellogg School of Management—MBA Program and Application Overview .

Chicago Booth Scholars Deferred MBA

• Deadline: April 4, 2024
• Emphasis: Research, quant/data, finance
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 12-20%

Chicago Booth placed third in the US News ranking. Even though it has an exceptionally robust academic offering, Booth also provides flexibility in coursework, and offers, many opportunities for leadership and involvement in clubs. This commuter school is known for its Midwest friendliness, which may make you feel right at home. The Chicago Booth Scholars Program, like Wharton's Advanced Access Program, is quite fresh, so it's still growing and developing — and very much worth a look.

Chicago Booth MBA Class Profile

Chicago booth scholars deferred mba eligibility.

The Chicago Booth Scholars Deferred MBA program is open to applicants who are in their final year of undergraduate studies, including those enrolled in joint bachelor's/master's degree programs, regardless of their major or background. Additionally, any graduate degree student who transitioned directly from undergraduate studies to a master's degree program is eligible to apply.

Students can defer their enrollment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years before beginning their full-time studies at Chicago Booth. If, however, students want to continue working after their deferment period, they can choose to enroll in the Evening or Weekend MBA Programs.

Chicago Booth Scholars Deferred MBA Essays

Deferred applicants are required to respond to both short-answer and essay questions that provide insights into their career goals, personal growth, and unique attributes.

Short-Answer Question:

• What do you plan to accomplish after graduation and prior to starting your MBA?
• How will the Booth MBA help you achieve your immediate and long-term post-MBA career goals? (250-word minimum)
• An MBA is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. In addition to sharing your experience and goals in terms of career, we'd like to learn more about you outside of the office or classroom. Use this opportunity to tell us something about who you are... (250-word minimum)

See our Chicago Deferred School Hub at Chicago Booth Scholars Program . as well as our school guide at Chicago Booth—MBA Program and Application Overview . If you’re currently working on your Chicago application, read our Guide to the Booth Essays .

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MIT Sloan Early Admission MBA

• Deadline: April 19, 2024
• Emphasis: Engineering, technology (STEM)
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): ~14%

This Massachusetts school has an MBA program in very high demand, with a strong emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). If you're interested in a STEM-related business path, this is the place to be. But remember, STEM does not mean anti-social, especially not here; MIT Sloan has a down-to-earth and collaborative class profile, so applicants who can prove strong social skills are preferred. Applicants hoping to pursue a career in Product Management or in other technical-related fields have found success at MIT. If that sounds like you, give the MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission program a look.

MIT Sloan Early MBA Class Profile

Mit sloan early mba eligibility.

Applicants eligible for the MIT Sloan Early MBA program include undergraduate students who are in their final year of undergraduate studies and graduate between August 2023 and September 2024. Additionally, eligible candidates will not enroll in an MD, JD, or PhD program immediately after completing their undergraduate program, and they must not have had any prior full-time work experience, except for internships or co-op experiences. Graduate students in their final year of a graduate program who graduate within the specified timeframe and meet the stated criteria are also eligible to apply.

The deferred admission period for MIT Sloan’s program can last anywhere from two to five years.

MIT Sloan Early MBA Essays

For the MIT Sloan Early MBA application, applicants are required to complete two video questions and are given the option to respond to an additional short-answer question.

• Video Question 1: Introduce yourself to your future classmates. This is an opportunity to showcase your personality and engage with the admissions committee. Videos should adhere to specific guidelines, including being no longer than 1 minute (60 seconds), single take (no editing), speaking directly to the camera, and excluding background music or subtitles.
• Video Question 2: Randomly Generated Open-Ended Question: All MBA Early applicants will be prompted to respond to a randomly generated, open-ended question. This question is designed to assess your communication style and how you express yourself. Applicants are given one minute to prepare a 60-second response.

Optional Short Answer Question:

• How has the world you come from shaped who you are today? For example, your family, culture, community, all help to shape aspects of your life experiences and perspective. Please use this opportunity if you would like to share more about your background. (250 word limit)

For information on the MBA program at MIT, visit MIT Sloan Early Admission Deferred MBA Program: What You Need to Know and MIT Sloan—MBA Program and Application Overview .

Columbia Deferred Enrollment MBA

• Deadline: April 15, 2024
• Emphasis: Finance
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 18-22%

Located deep in the big city of Manhattan, Columbia Business School’s MBA program has the advantage of sitting at the heart of the modern business environment. Although it has a history of a highly competitive culture, the university has recently attempted to encourage a more diverse and collaborative one. Keep in mind that living costs here will likely exceed those of your other options.

Columbia Deferred MBA Class Profile

Columbia deferred mba eligibility.

Students eligible for the Columbia Deferred Enrollment MBA program include those graduating during the current academic year from a bachelor's degree program, as well as students completing a graduate degree program. Candidates must have started the graduate degree program directly after completing their undergraduate degree to be eligible for the Deferred Enrollment Program.

After students graduate, they will have two to five years to begin Columbia’s full-time MBA program. Once a student is ready, they can send a letter of intent to Columbia specifying whether they want to enroll in January (16-month program) or August (traditional 20-month program featuring a summer internship).

Columbia Deferred MBA Essays

For the Columbia Deferred Enrollment MBA application, applicants are required to respond to a short-answer question and two essay prompts.

Short Answer Question :

• Immediate Post-Graduation Goal: What is your immediate post-graduation professional goal? (50 characters maximum)

Essay Questions :

• Applying to a deferred enrollment program suggests that your aspirations in the next 2-5 years will include an MBA. Why do you feel you need an MBA to achieve your long-term career goals, and why would you like to pursue your MBA at Columbia Business School? (300 words)
• Contributing to the community is an important part of the CBS experience. Discuss one experience or situation in your undergraduate or graduate career where you feel you contributed to your community and what you learned from the experience. (250 words)

See our Columbia Deferred School Hub at Columbia Deferred Enrollment Program or visit our full school hub at Columbia Business School—MBA Program and Application Overview .

Yale Silver Scholars Program

• Deferred applicants can apply in any of the traditional deadlines but most choose to apply for R3
• Emphasis: Nonprofit, leadership
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 28-33%
• Application Fee: Variable (sliding scale)

The Yale School of Management (SOM) comes in lower on the US News’ business school ranking list, but it has the oldest deferred enrollment program on this list, and the Silver Scholars Program only admits (roughly) 5% of all applicants! It's highly competitive but worth attending. Yale SOM remains world-renowned for its global networking opportunities, integrated curriculum, and leadership training. Plus, its exclusivity means it boasts a small class size and a tight-knit community.

It has a longstanding history of sending a disproportionately high (but recently, decreasing) amount of graduates into the nonprofit industry. Keep in mind that this program begins immediately following your senior year of undergrad.

Yale SOM MBA Class Profile

Yale silver scholars eligibility.

The Yale Silver Scholars Program is tailored for students seeking to enter the full-time MBA program directly from their academic studies, without acquiring full-time work experience. Eligible candidates include college seniors graduating between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, as well as students enrolled in a graduate program immediately following their undergraduate studies. Various special categories, including recent graduates, international students, and those pursuing joint-degree programs, are also considered for eligibility.

Once accepted, students will spend their first year at Yale SOM learning the foundations of management through a robust core curriculum, after which they will be able to work full-time for “one or more” years. Once their full-time working experience is over, students must return to campus for a final year of Yale Elective Courses.

Yale Silver Scholars Essays

Applicants to the Yale Silver Scholars Program are provided with three essay prompts from which to choose, allowing them to share insights into their background, passions, motivations, challenges, and aspirations.

• Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made. Why is this commitment meaningful to you, and what actions have you taken to support it?
• Describe the community that has been most meaningful to you. What is the most valuable thing you have gained from being a part of this community, and what is the most important thing you have contributed to this community?
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced. How have you confronted this challenge, and how has it shaped you as a person?

Choose the prompt that resonates most strongly with your experiences and passions, allowing you to provide concrete examples that showcase your character and potential contributions to the MBA program. The word limit for each essay is 500 words.

See our full Yale school hub at the Yale School of Management—MBA Program and Application Overview .

Darden Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP)

• Deadlines: April 11, 2023 (Round 1) and August 1, 2023 (Round 2)
• Emphasis: Balanced
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 26-35%

Darden offers a balanced curriculum that incorporates exceptionally modern business practices. Known for outputting great communicators, Darden expects its students to work collaboratively. If you’re Darden-bound, prepare for an intimate and tight-knit learning environment. It's also clear that the Darden admissions team is putting a strong emphasis on its deferred program, so if you are interested in Darden, this program is a great option.

Darden Future Year Scholars Program Class Profile

Darden future year scholars program eligibility.

Applicants eligible for the Darden Future Year Scholars Program at the University of Virginia (UVA) include bachelor's degree students in their final year of study and full-time master's students who have not held a full-time work position. Students graduating between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, are eligible to apply in 2024, regardless of whether they begin full-time employment after graduation.

Students can work for two to five years after being admitted. Something to note is that they are not required to decide how long they’ll be working immediately upon admission and will rather be asked by Darden at the beginning of each year whether they plan on matriculating into the program in the fall.

Darden Future Year Scholars Program Essays

For the Darden Future Year Scholars Program application, applicants are required to respond to short-answer questions that provide insights into their experiences, values, and career aspirations.

Short Answer Questions:

• What would you want your classmates to know about you that is not on your resume? (100 words)
• Please describe a tangible example that illuminates your experience promoting an inclusive environment and what you would bring to creating a welcoming, global community at Darden. (300 words)
• At this time, how would you describe your short-term, post-graduate goals in terms of industry, function, geography, company size and/or mission, and how does it align with the long-term vision you have for your career? (200 words)

Read more about the program at Darden at UVA Darden: Future Year Scholars Deferred MBA Program and UVA Darden—MBA Program and Application Overview.

Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access MBA

• Emphasis: Balanced, leadership, innovation
• Acceptance Rate (for all MBA applicants): 13-20%
• Application Fee: $200

The Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access MBA program is geared toward UC Berkeley undergraduates or graduates, hoping to return to Berkeley for their MBA. At present, it's not open to non-Berkeley undergrads, but keep an eye on it: we expect that to change at some point in the future. With proximity to Silicon Valley, Berkeley grads are known for being plugged in with all of Northern California's top tech companies and VC firms.

Berkeley Haas MBA Class Profile

Berkeley accelerated access eligibility.

The Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access MBA program is available to undergraduate students in their final year of study with a graduation date between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. Additionally, graduate students without full-time employment who enrolled in their graduate program immediately after completing their undergraduate studies, with a graduation date between July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, are eligible to apply.

Once accepted, students are allowed to work for two to five years and may choose to return to business school at any time. Admitted students are also subject to consideration for Berkeley Haas’s dual MBA degree programs.

Berkeley Accelerated Access MBA Essays

Applicants to the Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access MBA program are required to complete two essays, each with a maximum of 300 words, focusing on personal reflections and leadership aspirations.

• What makes you feel alive when you are doing it, and why?
• What kind of leader do you aspire to be and why?

These required essays offer applicants the opportunity to express their passions and leadership aspirations, providing insights into their personal motivations and future goals. Additionally, the application includes optional sections for applicants to provide context for their achievements and address any relevant information not covered elsewhere.

Read A Guide to the UC Berkeley Haas Accelerated Applicants Deferred MBA Program and visit our Berkeley school hub at the University of California Berkeley Haas—MBA Program and Application Overview .

How to Get Into Your Dream Deferred MBA Program

Okay: now we've covered the top 10 deferred MBA programs. We've briefly touched on the application materials, and what each program is looking for. Now, the million-dollar question: how do you get in?

Browse our Free Content

First, visit the Leland Deferred MBA Library for school guides, application tips, and other helpful articles. We are constantly updating it with new articles and insider advice on everything you need to get into your dream deferred program.

Find an MBA Admissions Coach

Second, search for and partner with an MBA admissions coach.

It can be difficult, especially when applying to deferred MBA programs, to find reliable information out there about the application process. An experienced coach, one who has gone through the deferred application process, or who has coached many deferred admits before, can be the difference between earning that coveted admissions letter and not. The right coach can offer the guidance and mentoring you'll need to secure a seat at your dream school.

Popular Coaching Packages

These are some of our most popular deferred MBA packages, geared toward helping you get into your dream program. Book FREE intro calls with any of these coaches to find out more.

• Deferred MBA Essay Workshopping: Brainstorming & Crafting a Narrative - with Sydney P., Stanford GSB Deferred Admit, BCG
• All-In Deferred MBA Coaching - with Andy P., Professional Admissions Coach, 20+ Years of Experience, Stanford Interviewer
• Deferred MBA Resume Review - with Austin P., Sloan/Kellogg Deferred MBA Admit, LEK Consulting

Not sure if an admissions coach is for you? Check out our article: Are  MBA Admissions Consultants Worth it?  Ready to partner with the perfect coach? Find them by browsing our  world-class MBA admissions coaches .

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