The booming job market coupled with the emergence of the Delta variant spells “o-p-p-o-r-t-u-n-i-t-y” for MBA applicants and those contemplating an MBA, according to Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. In October Accepted conducted a survey to gauge how these two trends were affecting MBA application plans. The results based on close to 250 responses were eye-opening.
While a majority of people said that they still planned to apply to MBA programs (see chart), a notable minority (15% – 17%) decided not to apply this year due to either the Delta variant and/or the robust job market. 14.2% attributed their decision not to apply to both factors. 7.7% attributed second thoughts and doubts to both factors but are still planning to apply.
Q1: How has the booming job market affected your MBA application plans?
- I decided not to apply now because of all the professional opportunities that have developed – 15%
- I’m having second thoughts about applying, but will probably apply anyways – 14%
- No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 71%
Q2: How has the emergence of the delta variant affected your MBA application plans?
- No impact whatsoever. I’m applying – 54%
- It’s increasing my interest in applying this cycle for an MBA – 9%
- It’s giving me pause because I’m afraid schools will return to remote learning and/or I’ll have visa problems – 20%
- As a result of the delta variant’s emergence, I have decided not to apply – 17%
What do these results mean for you?
This may be the best time to apply since the MBA application slowdown during the years 2017-19, when many applicants were accepted to programs where they may not have been admitted during the busier 2020-21 season, when application volume was higher. Linda Abraham recalls of the 2017-19 years, “We also saw more scholarship offers, and sometimes schools competed for students via scholarships. If the survey results portend a return to the ‘normal’ of 2017-19, we will see both developments again. Implications for applicants: If you are committed to applying this cycle, the potential decline in MBA application volume means you can apply to a ‘stretch’ school or two and have a greater chance of acceptance.”
Accepted consultant Esmeralda Cardenal adds, “I have been speaking to many applicants in the past weeks wondering whether they should apply in Round 2 or wait until next year. Given this data, and the potential decline of MBA applications this year, my advice would be to apply now. You still have time to put together a strong application this year. Furthermore, the economy is cyclical. As vaccination rates increase, classrooms go back to normal, and when the economy inevitably slows down once again, we will see a surge of MBA applications. I see this decline as a window of opportunity for many MBA applicants.”
Now more than ever, your top-choice MBA program is within your reach. Just as we have helped hundreds of applicants get into the b-school of their dreams, Accepted can help you, too, through professional assessment of your profile, expert honing of your application, and confidence-boosting, targeted interview prep. Check out our MBA Services Packages to get the personalized, one-on-one attention you need to GET ACCEPTED!
By Linda Abraham, president and founder of Accepted. Linda earned her bachelors and MBA at UCLA, and has been advising applicants since 1994 when she founded Accepted. Linda is the co-founder and first president of AIGAC. She has written or co-authored 13 e-books on the admissions process, and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, Poets & Quants, Bloomberg Businessweek, CBS News, and others. Linda is the host of Admissions Straight Talk, a podcast for graduate school applicants. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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