Over the last week, our team has received a flurry of Coronavirus-related updates from the senior leadership of the nation’s top business schools.Wh
Among the daily developments are unprecedented changes in the MBA application process – from the ability to submit applications without exam scores (INSEAD, LBS, Wharton) to fewer letters of recommendation (MIT Sloan Early Admissions).
Following is our briefing of the latest related to MBA admissions at the top b-schools, which we will continue to update in the coming days.
We also invite you to participate in a Q&A with Fortuna’s Directors TODAY, Tues., March 24 @ 12pm ET: Navigating Uncertainty: Free MBA Admissions Strategy Session
(Spots are limited so register here to save your seat.)
COVID-19 Changes to MBA Admissions at the Top Schools
Wharton extends Advanced Access Deadline (March 24), allows R3 apps without exam results
In response to feedback, MBA Director of Admissions, Blair Mannix announced a new Advance Access Deadline of Wednesday, May 27. She also reiterated that Round 3 and Advance Access applicants can hit submit without having sat for a standardized test. “We reserve this option for anyone who had their test canceled or cannot travel to their test location due to social distancing restrictions,” cites Director of Admissions, Blair Mannix. Mannix also affirmed that Wharton will extend the deadline for recommendations only to Monday, April 6.
MIT Sloan Early Admissions deadline extended; interviews via Skype (March 24, 2020)
The timeline for MBA Early Admission applications has just been extended, with a new deadline of June 2, 2020 at 3:00pm EST. Applicants invited to interview will be notified in mid-June and all interviews will be conducted via Skype.
MIT Sloan Early Admissions also accepts apps without exams, only 1 letter of recommendation
Earlier this week, Sloan Early Admissions confirmed that applicants who are unable to take and/or secure official test scores due to limited access to test facilities can request a temporary waiver to complete the exam. Any offer of acceptance will be conditional. (Contact: earlymbaadmissions.mitsloan@nullmit.edu) It is also allowing Early Admissions candidates to submit just one letter of recommendation, plus two additional references (who may be contacted by the committee if they have additional questions).
Kellogg Future Leaders deadline moved back (March 24); R3 apps accepted w/o exams
The Kellogg Future Leaders deadline moves back two months to June 3; the new decision date is July 29. In a March 24 statement, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Kate Smith writes: “Given the closing of many testing centers, I also want to remind current Northwestern students who qualify for KFL that the GMAT/GRE requirement is completely optional — and we mean it.”
According to a March 16 post, applicants can submit to Kellogg without GMAT or GRE scores, and even proceed with a (virtual) interview and an initial review. Those able to submit a test score by May 1 will receive a decision for Round 3. If you’re unable to meet this deadline, Kellogg pledges to “work with each applicant” and potentially push the decision to June. Those still unable to take exams can transfer their application to next year.
GRE & TOEFL testing available online (March 23, 2020)
As of today, March 23, the GRE is offering an option to take the test at home (in selected areas), proctored via video camera. View the ETS criteria or register for taking the GRE online. TOEFL® testing is scheduled to begin on March 26, and GRE testing will begin on March 27.
HBS extends 2+2 deferred admissions application deadline (March 20)
The HBS 2+2 deadline changed to June 1, 2020 (from April 2) at noon ET for college seniors applying for deferred admission. HBS plans to release final decisions on July 28, 2020.
Campus visits to Harvard are suspended (March 20)
In response, HBS is ramping up virtual tours and online events, such as the upcoming Life at HBS Virtual Chat and MBA Program & Admissions Information Session on Wednesday, March 25.
Dartmouth Tuck adds R4, suspends applicant-initiated interviews (March 20)
Tuck is initiating a “one-time Round 4” cycle for Round 3 candidates who need more time. Now you can submit a Round 4 application on a rolling basis from April 1 to June 1, and Tuck will return decisions on a rolling basis from May 11 to July 1. As of March 20, applicant
Stanford GSB goes online for the quarter, cancels commencement event (March 19, 2020)
Following along its March 10 announcement to move courses online, Stanford GSB announced that courses will be taught online for the duration of the spring quarter (ending June 10). Last Saturday, Stanford’s president issued a letter to the Stanford community detailing both COVID-19 related changes and institutional commitments. As of March 24, there are no deadline or application changes.
INSEAD & London Business School will accept applications without exams (March 13)
Given the closure of testing centers worldwide, both INSEAD and LBS will allow applicants to apply without a GMAT, GRE, EA or TOEFL score. This is a good faith gesture to encourage applicants to follow through with submission while implying a conditional acceptance – the expectation is that applicants will continue prep and take the exam when centers reopen. (LBS asks candidates to submit older scores if they have them.)
INSEAD classes moved online in Fontainebleu, interviews available online (March 13)
INSEAD moved classes online at its primary campus in Fontainebleu starting March 16th (the French President called for the closure of all universities until further notice). Director of Admissions Virginie Fougea also noted that the school is offering to conduct admission interviews online.
Dartmouth Tuck creates a one-time round 4 application deadline (March 20)
While maintaining its March 30th deadline for round three applicants, Tuck is creating a one-time round 4 application on a rolling basis from April 1 to June 1. The school is maintaining its March 30th deadline for round three applicants. Tuck has also suspended all applicant-initiated interviews for the remainder of this application cycle.
Columbia extends its DEP deadline to June 1, allows submission without exam results
Columbia Business School (CBS) Director of MBA Admissions Michael Robinson announced the extension of its Deferred Enrollment Program (DEP) application deadline from April 10th until June 1st, and expects to be admitting more people later in the cycle this year. Applicants may now submit their online application without a test score, or scheduled test date, but final decisions will not be rendered until standardized test scores are submitted.
Berkeley Haas hosts live Q&A sessions with admissions team members (March 23)
In a March 23 email to its community, Haas announced an increase in the number of live question and answer sessions hosted with members of its admissions team. Morning sessions will take place from 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM PDT, afternoon sessions from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM PDT.
Darden scales up connectivity (March 20)
Darden’s Dean posted a video message for prospective students, encouraging applicants to take advantage of extra time slots available through its ‘Schedule a Conversation‘ feature. It allows candidates to schedule a conversation with a member of the admissions committee as part of measures to scale up connectivity with the school.
Fortuna Admissions will continue to provide updates on the latest developments in Coronavirus-related changes to MBA admissions at the top business schools.
In the meantime, view our related stories:
- HBS Admissions Response to COVID-19: What Applicants Need to Know (Fortuna blog, March 24)
- INSEAD & LBS Response to COVID-19: What Applicants Need to Know (Fortuna blog, March 23)
- Turning Uncertainty Into Focus: 3 Tips For Starting Your MBA Application (Fortuna blog, March 20)
- Round 3 MBA Strategy Amid Global Markets Plunge: 5 Factors to Consider (Poets&Quants, March 12)
To speak with us, we invite you to sign up for a free consultation. We can discuss anything that’s on your mind – from COVID-19 concerns related to your MBA plans to your profile strengths and weaknesses or chances of admission at your dream school(s).
