MBA Application Trends for 2010 - Looking Good

Question

GMAC Conducted a survey in July of this year, asking schools about their application volume for 2010 incoming class. Here is what they found:

Across all graduate management programs participating in the survey, approximately half
reported an increase in application volume for the incoming 2010-2011 class, and about 40
percent reported a decline compared with 2009.
This year, 59 percent of Executive MBA (EMBA) programs reported an increase in the number
of applications, reversing a three-year decline. This was one of the highest proportions of
programs reporting increases in volume among all MBA programs.
After reaching a cyclical peak in 2008, more full-time two-year MBA programs reported a
downward (49%) trend in application volume for 2010 compared to an upward (41%) trend.
Part-time MBA programs appear to be nearing the end of their recent downward cycle in
application volume. The proportion of programs reporting growth in application volume in 2010
was comparable to 2009 and about even with those reporting a decline.
A slight decline in full-time MBA program application volume (–1.8%) compared with 2009
matched year-to-date trends in GMAT test-taking volume, which continues to be the best
leading indicator for MBA program application trends.
Continuing the positive trend seen in 2009, more than 60 percent of master-level programs in
finance, accounting, and management reported increases in the number of applications in 2010,
with average application numbers exceeding last year’s benchmarks by 20 percent or more.
More than 40 percent of MBA programs reported larger marketing budgets in 2010 compared
with 2009. Advertising accounted for more than half (56%) of the total marketing budget of an
MBA program, on average.

My interpretation:

good news for economy and this year's applicants - numbers are expected to be down unless economy goes down again.

The entire report is available here: https://www.gmac.com/mediaroomresources/ ... Report.pdf

pranrasvij · Answer

so hopefully less # of applicants helps get rejections rates lower!...

adamlotinsky · Answer

This is encouraging. Thanks.

RiaLucia · Answer

Interesting...based on anecdotal evidence I've been reading/seeing in the past couple of months, I was under the impression that in spite of a depressed global economy, applications to MBA programs was up overall.

shaselai · Answer

woo if the app pool is decreasing then maybe school will lower standards?

staind · Answer

Great info +1!

Dawgie · Answer

Hope this trend continues!

MBA Application Trends for 2010 - Looking Good

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