Married Couple Applying to MBA in Europe

Question

Hello!
We are a young (25 years old) married couple from the US looking to apply to MBA programs in Europe - many in the UK. We have nearly identical GPAs, international work/volunteer experience and 3 years of similar career progression where we were both promoted consistently. GMAT is expected to be the same. One of us still needs to take it but will likely score similarly (~640-660).

Our biggest question is: should we subtly notify schools that we are married and a package deal or wait for an acceptance letter and then inform the school?
 
We have seen other blogs on this site about similar situations wherein people apply together and apart, but have heard little on couples with very similar backgrounds. We are hesitant to apply as a "both or nothing" deal as we fear this will lower our chances of being accepted.

Any advice?

Thanks so much!

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

Dear easooter
Yours is certainly a most unique case, we are quite confident it will be equally unique for the AdCom reader as well.. (meaning, there are no set policies/ guidelines on such situations).
While schools with a higher emphasis on family values (nothing official; more to do with the outlook of the community; difficult to identify which ones, if at all) may have a slightly different approach, broadly, your application will get similar treatment

Observations:
A) Objectively speaking, the merit of your individual cases will be assessed individually (and most likely separately).
B) The same yardsticks, as are used to measure other applicants will apply to you as well.

Action points:
1) Sneak in a mention of how much you like the school, that both of you have decided to apply together to this school. Do NOT belabor the point.
2) Mention how you have both used the synergies of evolving together to get done more, and how this has brought you greater happiness while competing with each other and cooperating mutually.

Hope that helps.

Admissionado · Answer

Sure!
Here are a few tips:
1. Tell the schools you are married and you hope to attend together. We've worked with many many couples, and it can help.
2. At the same time, Let them know that you understand that they are considering each application on its own merit (i.e. make it clear that you don't feel like there is any obligation to accept you both, and that if only one of you is accepted there is a real chance of you attending.
3. Take location into consideration. You may not have to attend the same exact school (might even be cool if you didn't) but i presume you still want to live together. And that should be possible. So consider schools you may not have otherwise considered because of proximity to your main target schools (perhaps as backup plans)
4. Apply to more schools rather than less. Since BOTH of you have to get in, apply to more schools. You can even out the chances.

Hope this helps!!!

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

If you are truly a package deal, I would not necessarily say this but I would make sure they are aware of this. Something simple as a mention in the optional essay could do the trick.

For applicant couples, you can always expand you options by targeting cities with multiple programs Boston, NC, Chicago, LA. Your GMATs make this tough but also something else to consider

Married Couple Applying to MBA in Europe

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