A Guide to Deferred Enrollment MBA Programs For Undergraduates
Just because most MBA candidates begin their studies after four or more years of professional experience doesn’t mean you can’t secure your future place in business school before entering the work force. Many business schools are offering deferred enrollment programs—allowing students to secure an advance spot in an MBA program to plan for your future graduate education and get the most out of those years between college and your degree. If you know an MBA is in your future but want to get your feet wet before you enroll, here’s our guide to the leading deferred enrollment programs and what is required to apply:
Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access
Who is Eligible: Berkeley graduating seniors and Berkeley graduate students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-5 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit an Accelerated Access application that closely resembles Berkeley Haas regular MBA application
Deadline: Round 1: April 2021; Round 2: June 2021; Exact dates to be released this winter
University of Chicago Booth Scholars Program
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors
Deferment Period: 2-5 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit a Booth Scholars application for the program and answer short answer questions and an essay question specific to the deferred enrollment program
Deadline: April 1, 2021
Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-5 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit a Deferred Enrollment application and answer three short answer questions specific to the deferred enrollment program
Deadline: April 15, 2021
Harvard 2+2 Program
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-4 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit a 2+2 application that closely resembles the Harvard Business School MBA application
Deadline: April 22, 2021
MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-5 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit an MBA Early Admission application that closely resembles the regular MBA application with two exceptions:
- Two letters of recommendation are required, rather than one.
- No Organizational Structure chart is required
Deadline: For MIT Students: November 3, 2020; For All Other Applicants: April 20, 2021
Northwestern Kellogg Future Leaders
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-5
How to Apply: Applicants submit a Future Leaders application
Deadline: Application to be released this winter
Penn Wharton Advance Access Program
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-4 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit an Advance Access application that closely resembles the Wharton MBA application
Deadline: March 23, 2021
Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment Program
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 1-3 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit a regular MBA application and select the option to request deferred enrollment
Deadline: Round 2: January 6, 2021 Round 3: April 6, 2021
UVA Darden Future Year Scholars Program (FYSP)
Who is Eligible: All graduating seniors and full-time master’s students who began their graduate program immediately after college
Deferment Period: 2-4 years
How to Apply: Applicants submit a Future Year Scholars application that closely resembles the Darden MBA application
Deadline: Application to be released this winter
If you have questions about the graduate school application process or whether our counseling services might be right for you, please reach out to schedule a free consultation with Nisha Sardella.
