How's Application Volume This Year?

Question

Last year there were a lot of concerns about increase in application volume. I have not heard much discussion on this topic. Maybe it's old news.

I was wondering if anyone know if the volume is going to be up again this year since the economy hasn't completely turned around.

riverripper · Answer

I think it will drop at most schools, probably not by much but it will be down. I think the biggest hit will be internationals who are still going to be afraid of loans and the job market.

bb · Answer

We just published a survey Kaplan released on 8/31/2009 and Admissions said the number of applications increased this year. Not sure if they meant "last application year" since this year technically did not start, but may be interesting to you:

https://gmatclub.com/blog/2009/09/result ... pplicants/

My guess is that people will still apply, but fewer may decide to matriculate due to "improving" economy.

nink · Answer

Those numbers usually come out around December through news articles. (I mean, how can one answer such question when R1 deadline is a month away? :-D

) Last year, only R1 saw notable spikes in app volume. After that it kinda trailed off. In any given year, you can have a spike in app volume but quality applicants that top bschools want - the number of such applicants mostly likely won't increase just because the overall app volume goes up. If anything, the app volume might go up because of recent college graduates wanting to enter bschool directly without job experience and 2nd and lower tier bschools are more inclined to accept such applicants.

Class2012 · Answer

I went to a MBA tour event and an adcom member said it would be normal this year based on the number of people taking GMAT.

dynabook · Answer

I bet second round will drop. The 2009 employment stats will be out in late fall, and imagine people's reaction after seeing those hopeless stats...

How's Application Volume This Year?

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