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For all those students you want to leapfrog into the MBA program while doing their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree – deferred MBA is the right choice. Deferred MBA is an MBA program designed for final year students of undergraduate or graduate degrees. Students with clear goals, excellent academic and proven leadership record apply for the deferred MBA program. These are the high potential students who business schools want to tap into and grab them even before they complete their undergraduate degree.

In this Blog:

1.    What is so unique about deferred MBA programs?
2.    What are the benefits of deferred MBA?
3.    Where to enroll for a deferred MBA program?
4.    What’s the process to enroll for the deferred MBA program?
5.    How important is GMAT for deferred MBA?
6.    Is it difficult to get accepted into a deferred MBA program?

Let’s clear things up a little more and start with –

What is so unique about deferred MBA programs?

The most unique part of deferred MBA is that it helps you focus on your career rather than worrying about your MBA application. Just like the normal MBA, a deferred MBA has similar duration, but it grants pre-admission to the students, generally 2 years in advance.

That brings us to the next question –

What are the benefits of deferred MBA?

Benefits of a deferred MBA program are:

  • No hassle for business school application
  • Flexibility in early career.
  • Non-typical students from a diverse background with exuberance of business aptitude, get a fair chance.

Which universities offer deferred MBA programs?

Factors like curriculum structure, class profile, and career outcomes should be considered by students before enrolling for the deferred MBA program. Not all universities offer deferred MBA programs; in India only top B-schools like Indian School of Business (ISB) offer deferred MBA programs.

Here is the list of B-Schools that offer deferred MBA programs.

Stanford graduate school

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Stanford Graduate School Stanford University Deferred Enrollment Program 2-4 Years

Harvard Business School

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Harvard Business School Harvard University 2+2 program Minimum 2 years of work experience plus 2 years of MBA

Wharton School of business

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Wharton School of business University of Pennsylvania Moelis Advance Access Program 2 years

Booth School of Business

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Booth School of Business University of Chicago Silver Scholars Program 2-5 years (full-time MBA, evening MBA or weekend MBA program)

Darden School of Business

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Darden School of Business University of Virginia Future Year Scholars 2-4 Years

Yale School of Management

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Yale School of Management Yale University Yale Silver Scholar Extended internship after first year of MBA

Haas School of Business

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Haas School of Business University of California – Berkeley Accelerated Access program 2-5 years of a deferred period

IESE Business School

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
IESE Business School University of Navarra, Spain Young Talent Path* 3-4 Years (*for aspirants with minimum 2 years of work experience and a full-time job offer. This program offers an opportunity to avail scholarships of up to 20,000 Euro.)

MIT Sloan

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
MIT Sloan Massachusetts Institute of Technology Early Admission 2-5 Years

Columbia Business School

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Columbia Business School Columbia University Deferred Enrollment program 2-5 Years

Indian School of Business India

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Indian School of Business, India Indian School of Business Young Leaders Program 2-3 Years

Kellogg

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University Future Leaders 2-5 Years

Stern-New-york-univ

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Stern School of Business* New York University NYU x NYU / Stern 2-5 Years (*applicant must be an NYU undergrad)

Tepper

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Tepper School of Business Carnegie Mellon Future Business Leaders 2-4 Years

Kelley

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Kelley School of Business Indiana University Accelerated Admissions 2-4 Years

Owen

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Owen Graduate School of Management* Vanderbilt University VU2MBA 2-4 Years (*applicant must be an Vanderbilt undergrad)

McDonough

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
McDonough School of Business Georgetown University MBA Advanced Access Program 2-4 Years

Jones

B-School

University

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Period
Jones Graduate School of Business Rice University Deferred Enrollment Program 2-5 Years

What’s the process to enroll for the deferred MBA program?

The process is quite similar to the regular MBA program enrollment process, but here you need to have a strong profile, leadership experience and strong performance in current coursework and exams.

The requirements for deferred MBA :

  • GRE or GMAT score (as required by the B-School)
  • College Transcripts
  • MBA Resume (Showcasing your leadership skills)
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • 2 Essays
  • Interview

Some programs might not require a GMAT score but it is preferred to submit it separately to boost the chances of your admit.

The deadlines for applications for deferred MBA is usually the spring intake; therefore, it is important to dedicate enough time to your application as balancing studies and other commitments in the final year could be difficult.

Know more about MBA admissions process and GMAT test prep

Have you taken the GMAT before?

How important is GMAT for deferred MBA?

GMAT is an indispensable part of the deferred MBA process as universities seek some exceptional profiles. The low acceptance rate for the deferred MBA means your profile needs to have outstanding credentials and a near perfect GMAT score. Business schools trust the GMAT exam and take admission related decisions based on the applicant’s GMAT score,as the GMAT is a success indicator, and universities bank on GMAT score to shortlist best candidates.

Is it difficult to get accepted into a deferred MBA program?

Yes, it is very competitive. The deferred MBA admits to the top programs are exceptional with near perfect GPAs, selective internships and high quality campus leadership. For example, the acceptance rate of the deferred MBA programs at Harvard University is  8% deferred, while 12% acceptance rate for a regular MBA.

At Jamboree we prepare the aspirants for the path that could lead to an illustrious career with MBA admission counselling, GMAT prep, IELTS/TOFEL prep, pre-departure orientation and value added services like – education loans a lot more. The deferred MBA is like an advance investment in your future as it reduces considerable stress and any uncertainty down the road.

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