{"id":48184,"date":"2020-03-24T00:21:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T07:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/hbs-admissions-response-to-covid-19-what-applicants-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2020-03-24T00:21:00","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T07:21:00","slug":"hbs-admissions-response-to-covid-19-what-applicants-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/hbs-admissions-response-to-covid-19-what-applicants-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"HBS Admissions Response to COVID-19: What Applicants Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Many of our international clients have expressed fears that where they live may negatively impact their chance of admission to their top-choice business school.<\/h2>\n

With travel bans, consulate closures, and March 19 notice that the U.S. State Department is \u201csuspending routine visa services in most countries worldwide,\u201d uncertainty is on the rise.<\/p>\n

Last Friday March 20, Harvard Business School\u2019s admissions director posted a message to reiterate its commitment to international students<\/a>. \u201cToday I want to reaffirm that HBS MBA Admissions will continue to admit the most talented international and domestic applicants, irrespective of citizenship, as we strive to build a class of leaders who will make a difference in the world. We hope that the global situation around COVID-19 improves and that the suspension of visa services passes quickly,\u201d wrote HBS Admissions director, Chad Losee.<\/p>\n

Conceding that it\u2019s not a typical year, Losee goes on to write: \u201cIn the spirit of transparency, I am sharing that we plan to invite many talented and qualified applicants to stay with us on a larger waitlist.\u201d He also emphasizes that HBS will do what it can to\u00a0support students through the visa process. \u201cAny international admitted student who is unable to start the program due to a visa issue despite their best efforts will be deferred to next year\u2019s MBA class.\u201d<\/p>\n

While HBS can\u2019t control US policy or its implications on a candidate\u2019s capacity to secure a visa, it\u2019s heartening that deferral \u2013 undesirable to your original plans as this may be \u2013 is a sincere option. While the ripple effect of this global pandemic is uncertain and ever-changing, I recommend identifying different scenarios and implications for each one \u2013 whether it\u2019s a waitlist, deferral, or the idea of holding off on applying until the following year.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an update on HBS admissions changes announced over the past week: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

HBS extends 2+2 deferred admissions application deadline.
\n<\/strong>The HBS 2+2 deadline changed to June 1, 2020<\/a> (from April 2) at noon ET for college seniors applying for deferred admission. HBS plans to release final decisions on July 28, 2020.<\/p>\n

Campus visits to Harvard are suspended.
\n<\/strong>In response, HBS is ramping up virtual tours and online events<\/a>, such as the upcoming Life at HBS Virtual Chat<\/a> and MBA Program & Admissions Information Session<\/a> on Wednesday, March 25. (The on-campus commencement is also suspended.)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also noteworthy that HBS Dean Nitin Nohria isn\u2019t exiting his post as planned<\/a> for a sabbatical at the end of this academic year.<\/p>\n

My team at Fortuna Admissions and I will continue to provide updates on the latest developments in Coronavirus-related changes to MBA\u00a0admissions at the top business schools.
\nIn the meantime, view our related stories:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n