Corona COVID-19 Impact on GMAT/MBA [Master Topic]

Hi,

I am supposed to sit the GMAT in Paris on March 31st, but all testing has been suspended until further notice.

Is it odd that I haven't yet received a cancellation email? GMAC hasn't reached yet and I have tried calling several times but I always end up being on hold for hours.

Thanks,

Vi

Dear bb,
Any idea about the round 1
Application deadline, normally starting in September 2020?

Regards,
Basim.

Posted from my mobile device

There are no changes of any kind for round one. At this moment Round 1 is not impacted. The deadlines are typically in mid Sept and later. Another 6 months until that time comes. The earliest I can see schools announcing changes would be late May// early June.

PS. It is one of the bullet points in the first post of this topic.

Posted from my mobile device

Manhattan Prep did a Webinar this morning on YouTube with GMAT Club covering the very relevant Topic: Getting Ready for the GMAT Test When You Don't have a Test date [Studying In the Time of COVID19]

Dear bb,
Thanks again for informing about the webinar. I attended it but lot of internet u tube breakups. Waiting for the next related webinar, due after 45 hours. Needless to say, you are doing a great job.
God bless you.
Regards,
Basim.

Posted from my mobile device

Hi all,
My name is Shimri Winters, I am a London Business Graduate and the owner of ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting.

We are getting many questions on the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on future MBA studies.

The bottom line is this: No one knows what the future holds, but with every crisis, there is an opportunity!
Use this uncertain period (especially if you are at home) to brush up your GMAT skills, do lots of school research and most importantly, invest quality time in some soul-searching -> thinking exactly what you would like to do in the future, and how you are going to achieve these goals.

Companies will be looking for bright MBAs to help them overcome this tough financial period!

You can find some more information on this, in this article: https://www.aringo.com/how-will-the-corona-virus-covid-19-affect-top-mba-programs/

Feel free to send me your CV, GMAT score and desired school wishlist to ShimriW@ARINGO.com for a complimentary chances estimation and project plan brainstorming session.

Good luck to everyone and stay safe!
Shimri

Hi

Your thoughts on below please. This the communication updated on the LBS website,

"What if my GMAT/ GRE or English language test has been cancelled due to test centre closures?

In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), we are accepting applications to our programmes without a GMAT/GRE score if you are unable to take a test in your location. We are being updated by GMAC and ETS, the providers of the GMAT/GRE test, regarding test centre availability.

Please note, if you already have a GMAT/GRE score you should submit it with your application. If you had planned to retake the test as you feel your score does not reflect your abilities, but are unable to do so, please let us know.

The admissions committee will make a holistic assessment of your overall academic ability. If you progress to the interview stage the admissions committee may ask you to provide a statement describing your quantitative skills and experience. In writing this statement you are welcome to include academic or professional qualification, employment experience or any other relevant information."

So, I was planning to retake my GMAT in first week of April and apply in R4 of full time MF. In my first attempt I had scored 610 (Q46 V28), which I know is pretty pathetic.
Any idea what should I do now because LBS is 'THE' B-School for me to pursue my MF.

Are there any expectations of the application dates deferring for R4 for LBS?


Thanks
Saurabh

I am not sure what you mean deferring... you mean applying in R4? LBS usually provides those dates. Are you saying they forgot to publish them?

Posted from my mobile device

Hi bb

By deferring I meant will they be postponing the deadline dates for R4 due to Covid19, have experts heard anything on it.


Thanks
Saurabh

The only reason for them to postpone the deadline would be to allow people to take tests. However, if they are waiving testing requirements then the likelihood of postponing application deadlines is not high. At least not yet....

By the way, would only rely on the direct communications by the program and their website. Historically schools have sent out emails faster than they have updated their websites so make sure you are subscribed and that you have registered in the system/etc. You don’t want to rely on some rumors and miss the deadline

Hi,
As of today (March 28th 2020), some top MBA programs such as NYU Stern, Yale SOM and Berkeley Haas have announced extended deadlines for submission for their last rounds due to the Corona COVID-19 situation.
Although, as we are already talking about the last rounds of application with historically lower chances of acceptance, here at ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting, we strongly suggest to all our applicants applying this round to apply as soon as they are ready and not wait for the last date on the extended deadlines.

Some other schools, such as the London Business School or INSEAD have not extended their deadlines, but instead, are accepting applications of applicants who could not take the GMAT test in time. Please note that these announcements were made before GMAC and ETS announced candidates will be able to take these tests from home and may change shortly.

Our belief is that applicants with no GMAT/GRE who will apply without these test scores will be asked to take them at a later stage.

What should you do if you were thinking of applying this round? continue as usual both with your application and your GMAT/GRE prep.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me your CV/GMAT score for a profile review / chances estimation/ project planning at ShimriW@ARINGO.com

GOOD LUCK TO everyone
and stay healthy!

bb

I would like to know (if possible) the effect of CORONA on traffic on website GMATCLUB.

It seems that the traffic on website has reduced substantially even though many test takers across the globe are working from home.

This assessment would help us understand the worldwide impact of CORONA on the aspirations of students to go for MBA.

For those interested, we have a live chat session with Aringo on the topic "Coronavirus impact on MBA Admissions" scheduled for Monday 10 AM PDT

More details here https://gmatclub.com/forum/coronavirus- ... l#p2482597

The traffic has been 10-15% up this week from week before. What would make you seem that it reduced?
However, I don't think you can base your decisions on rash traffic spikes or declines. Even if anyone wanted to apply, the applications are only open for a handful of schools for R3 and the rest are not available now. Moreover, with people stuck at home they have a variety of other things on their minds such as how to stay safe and make sure they have the money to survive this period. However, any time there is a downturn or increase in unemployment, BSchool applications go up so it will likely be inevitable that if economy slows down (not sure if there are still questions about it), there will be an increase in applications.

First Post Has Been Updated:

• Updated: Test centers have been suspended/closed initially 22 countries on 3/13 until the end of March. Cancellations likely to get extended through end of April. Most testing locations have now been closed and GMAT tests have been canceled.
  
• Pearson Vue is providing refunds as of 3/16 for tests during the test center closure times through April 16th (refunds seem to be automated). Some folks on reddit even thought it was a scam but it seems legit (however, as usual, do not be duped into entering your payment details on suspicious websites)
  
• GMAC is waiving all change fees as of 3/18
  
• Many leading MBA programs have postponed their GMAT Score deadlines into May. (Kellogg, Stanford, INSEAD, and others). Please check your program's admissions page for the latest information on the COVID-19; it s likely there as the school is likely closed.
  
• ETS/GRE and GMAC/GMAT have announced the launch of GRE at Home and GMAT at Home. More details about taking GMAT and GRE at Home
  
• Tepper has offered deferral of admission to 2021 for those who are not able to secure visas due to Corona virus. They will also provide deposit refunds for the affected.
  
• New! 3/25 GMAC announced that they are allowing to reinstate canceled scores without a charge
  
• [color=#9e0b0f]New! Some MBA programs are removing GMAT from their R3 application requirements. Thank you Leadership https://gmatclub.com/forum/b-schools-of ... 18498.html
  
• No News so far in terms of impact or changes to the R1 2020-2021 Admissions Process

Coronavirus Admissions Video added to the first post.
Thank you

bb, since the 2 year mba tenure at most business schools is between 20 and 22 months and it's likely that many don't prefer to attend the classes online, what are your thoughts on the possibility that bschools can defer the start date by a month or two to prevent a mass exodus of admit deferrals? Also, will it be feasible for business schools to do it or will it create a conflict with the class schedule of the next incoming batch?

Vyshak.
Will Business schools defer their school start dates from September? that is the million-dollar question that no one will have an answer to in the next few weeks. We can already see programs that were supposed to start in June being either postponed or the first few weeks were moved to an online structure. We will have to wait and see what happens with the coronavirus in the US and in the world. I am assuming the MBA programs (as well as any other educational institution, workplace, etc.) are waiting to see what will happen in the next few weeks/months.

Stay healthy!