What is deferred MBA program and which colleges offer it?
Many MBA programs around the world expect candidates to have at least four to five years of work experience before joining but students who can’t meet this criterion or are in their final year of graduation have the option of choosing a deferred MBA program. This opportunity is provided by a few colleges wherein students who have just graduated or are in their senior year of college can apply for a full-time MBA. The main difference between direct MBA and deferred MBA is that the pre-admissions happen right after college ends but classes commence only after the work experience is over, except for programs like Yale’s Silver Scholars program where the classes begin right after the admission process ends. This program facilitates the students in guaranteeing a seat in prestigious, highly-selective institutes while building upon work experience.
Which colleges offer it?
- Harvard
2+2 program
Harvard’s 2+2 program is aimed at students who are either in college or pursuing full-time masters. The admitted students are required to finish at least two years in the employment sector in the public, private or nonprofit sector followed by two years in the Harvard Business School MBA program. The seats available for the 2+2 program are limited in number. As of 2020 admission records, only 106 candidates out of 1121 students were admitted to the program. And of this, only 21% of them were international students, which includes everyone outside of the US. So, take this competitive environment into consideration and prepare accordingly.
- Yale
The Silver Scholars Program
Unlike most other deferred MBA programs, Yale’s The Silver Scholars program provides students an opportunity to finish their MBA in three years as soon as they get done with college. The first year is spent in Yale learning the basics and building foundation through their innovative curriculum. The following year requires the students to take up a full-time internship to get an understanding of the professional world and put academic education to test. The final year is back in the Yale campus, polishing and fine-tuning students’ leadership and management skills.
- Stanford
Deferred Enrollment Program
Like most other Stanford programs, the deferred enrollment program focuses on diverse educational and professional backgrounds. The criteria are similar to other colleges requiring either an undergraduate degree or combined undergraduate/graduate degree. The only rebuff is for students taking gap years between undergraduate and graduate degrees. This program is beneficial for students who are not sure about their long-term professional plan, especially college seniors.
- Columbia Business School
Deferred Enrollment program
The Columbia deferred enrollment program offers undergraduate students who wish to gain a couple of years of work experience an opportunity to secure their position in the highly selective MBA program. This program is also eligible for Fellowships and Scholarships. The college offers two to five years of defer period and once the student is ready to start the MBA program, a letter of intent is required. This letter of intent is to specify whether the student wants to enroll for the 16-month program in January or the 20-month program including summer internship commencing in August depending on personal and professional preferences.
- Wharton
Ken Moelis and Julie Taffet Moelis Advance Access Program
The deferred MBA program similar to Harvard’s allows undergrad students from all majors and academic backgrounds to earn a degree in MBA. Currently, the program is only open to University of Pennsylvania students. The $10 million dollars donation by Ken Moelis and Julie Taffet Moelis kickstarted the program in 2017.
- Chicago Booth
Early Career Candidate Programs
Booth Scholars program is a part of early-career candidate program which lets undergraduates apply to Booth’s Full-Time MBA courses prior to graduation and deferred enrollment for two-four years. The program is open to undergraduates from any institutions who are in their final year. Whereas, the Dougan Scholars certificate program is a six-course curriculum on the disciplines of business management open only for second-year undergraduates at the University of Chicago. Another category under the Early Career Candidate Programs is the Chicago Business Fellows Program, a part of the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA program. Young professionals with three or less than three years of experience can apply to this program.
There are various schools apart from these that may be able to meet your interest. Need guidance? Reach out to ReachIvy.com
