While professional experience is not mandatory in most US B-Schools, the class profile of all the reputed B-schools suggests otherwise. The competition to get into a reputed MBA program is so intense that a few years of work experience after your undergraduate degree seems to be an unwritten requirement.
Moreover, most recruiters also expect an MBA grad to have a certain degree of previous professional/leadership experience and industry exposure before hiring that person. Therefore, US B-Schools recommend applicants acquire at-least 2-5 years of work experience before applying to their MBA program.
However, some US B-schools have a deferred MBA program that can be very useful for individuals with no work experience to secure admission to an MBA program. So, Let’s learn more about deferred MBA programs in the USA and the prominent B-schools offering them.
What Is a Deferred MBA?
The deferred MBA is an admission process that allows a candidate to apply for deferred MBA programs to secure an MBA admission seat in a future class after a few years. Simply put, it’s sort of advanced booking to an MBA program.
Also known as early-career MBA, the admission process allows fresh undergraduate candidates to apply for an MBA program without any work experience. After securing admission to the preferred MBA program, people can use the deferment period to acquire 2-5 years of work experience before beginning their MBA class.
Therefore, deferred MBA programs allow highly focussed individuals to set career goals early in life. Besides, you can take more risks regarding career choices knowing that it won’t affect your MBA goals.
Benefits of a Deferred MBA Program
A deferred MBA in the USA can provide numerous benefits, as discussed below.
1. Exploring Industries
If you’re unsure of your long-term career goals regarding the right industry, an MBA early admission program can be your best choice. Deferred MBA programs in the USA can enable you to focus on acquiring new skills, build expertise, and specialize in certain fields by exploring different industries before pursuing a full-time MBA program.
2. Career Flexibility
A deferred admission program allows you to pursue your career after college more flexibly. If you manage to get into a suitable career fresh out of college, you can pursue it for a few years and come back for an MBA to enhance your management prospects.
On the other hand, you don’t need to worry if you’re not off to a flying start to your career. You can gather some valuable work experience and go back to earn an MBA degree and start anew.
3. Wider Networking Opportunities
Selection in any deferred MBA programs in the USA can lead to immediate access to a B-School’s alumni network, current students, conference invitations, campus news, etc. Consequently, you can get the chance to start developing your professional network way before joining an MBA class.
Top 10 Deferred MBA Programs in the USA
1. Harvard’s 2+2 Program
Harvard Business School’s 2+2 program is one of the best-known deferred MBA programs in the USA. The candidates are required to spend a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years in the workforce before joining the famed full-time MBA program at Harvard.
Harvard encourages students from different academic backgrounds to apply for the 2+2 program.
2. Wharton’s Moelis Advance Access Program
Established in 2017, the Moelis Advance Access Program is the deferred MBA program of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. You can gauge the fierce competition for this program from the fact that international students, who comprise just 36% of the current cohort of 110 students, come from 57 different countries.
The program seeks innovative and ambitious students ready to explore career and academic interests beyond the ” traditional notions of business education.”
3. Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program
The Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment Program offers admission to its highly selective full-time MBA program. The B-School likes to admit future leaders from different academic and personal backgrounds to have a well-diversified cohort.
You can defer your enrollment for 2-5 years. Besides, once you’re ready to begin your MBA studies, you can choose between Columbia’s traditional 2-year MBA program with a summer internship or the 16-month J-Term MBA without an internship.
4. Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment
One of the most well-known deferred MBA programs in the USA, the Stanford GSB Deferred enrollment program evaluates every application based on various factors like academic background, test scores, values, aspirations, etc.
The reputed B-school typically wants to know an individual’s thought process and leadership potential. But, most importantly, the B-school wants to see how you can contribute to a bright future and add a new perspective to your class.
5. MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission
The early admission program at MIT Sloan provides an excellent opportunity for ambitious and forward-thinking undergraduate students to secure a spot in a future MBA class at MIT. With a median GMAT of 750 and international students from 25 countries representing 20% of the current MBA cohort, the program is highly sought after among MBA applicants. So, deferred MBA applicants must be fully prepared before attempting admission here.
6. Chicago Booth Scholars Program
Like all the deferred MBA programs in the US B-Schools, Chicago Booth Scholars Program allows a college senior to secure a seat in its full-time MBA program before joining the workforce. You can use the Chicago Booth Scholars Program to seek a Deferred MBA admission to either the full-time or the part-time program.
7. Kellogg Future Leaders (KFL)
The KFL-Deferred Enrollment Program allows you to defer your enrollment to Kellogg’s School of Management’s MBA programs for 2-5 years. It’s one of those deferred MBA programs in the USA that allows admission to any of the top-tier programs run by the B-School.
So, once you’ve acquired the necessary work experience, you can choose from the full-time MBA, executive MBA, or evening and weekend MBA. Moreover, the deferred MBA students have access to premier learning resources of the B-school. They also receive guidance and support from Kellogg’s dedicated admission officer.
8. Yale Silver Scholars
Students admitted to the deferred MBA program of Yale School of Management (Yale SOM) are called Yale Silver Scholars. Yale SOM’s deferred MBA program is slightly different from the early-career MBA programs discussed previously in this article.
Unlike other deferred MBA programs in the USA, the Yale Silver Scholars program lets you join the MBA program right after you finish your undergrads or graduation. You’ll study the B-school’s innovative core curriculum for a year and then leave to gather a few years of work experience. After acquiring work experience of 2-5 years, you’ll return to Yale SOM to complete your MBA course.
9. Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access
The Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access program is the latest entrant to the deferred MBA landscape. Starting as a deferred MBA admission alternative for the University of California students, the program now accepts admission from all US and international applicants.
Moreover, deferred MBA students of Berkeley Haas can also become eligible for Berkeley’s dual degree programs when they are admitted to the course after the mandatory work experience.
10. Future Year Scholars Program (Darden)
Future Year Scholars Program is the deferred MBA program of the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia. Admitted Future Year Scholars can receive personalized career support with guidance from experienced mentors. Moreover, Darden’s past and current students swear by the strong support they get from their learning teammates, which adds to the Darden experience.
Application Deadlines of Deferred MBA Programs in Top US B-Schools
| Sr. No. | B-School | Application Deadlines | Interview Date | Decision Notification |
| 1 | Harvard’s 2+2 Program | 27 April 2023 | – | 6 July 2023 |
| 2 | Wharton’s Moelis Advance Access Program | 26 April 2023 | 14 June 2023 | 29 June 2023 |
| 3 | Columbia Business School Deferred Enrollment | 15 April 2023 | 15 May 2023 | Within two weeks of interview |
| 4 | Stanford GSB Deferred Enrollment | 13 September 2022 | – | 8 December 2022 |
| 5 January 2023 | – | 30 March 2023 | ||
| 11 April 2023 (Recommended for deferred MBA) | – | 25 May 2023 | ||
| 5 | MIT Sloan MBA Early Admission | 19 April 2023 | 8 June 2023 | |
| 6 | Chicago Booth Scholars Deferred MBA | 11 April 2023 | April-May, 2023 | 15 June 2023 |
| 7 | Kellogg Future Leaders | 26 April 2023 | – | 28 June 2023 |
| 8 | Yale Silver Scholars | 13 September 2022 | – | 6 December 2022 |
| 5 January 2023 | – | 24 March 2023 | ||
| 11 April 2023 | – | 18 May 2023 | ||
| 9 | Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access | 20 April 2023 | – | 22 June 2023 |
| 10 | Darden’s Future Year Scholars Program | 11 April 2023 | – | 7 June 2023 |
| 1 August 2023 | – | 7 September 2023 |
Disclaimer:- All the dates are taken from the respective B-School’s official website. However, you’re advised to regularly visit the B-schools’ websites to know the latest updates.
Eligibility Criteria for Deferred MBA Programs
Undergraduates in their final year and candidates pursuing a master’s degree program after finishing their undergrads are eligible to apply for this program. Students from diverse academic backgrounds are eligible to apply for Deferred MBA programs.
But, Ph.D. students and students from law and medical schools are not eligible to apply for deferred admissions. However, they can apply through the regular admission process.
Secondly, applicants should have a valid GMAT score. International applicants from non-native English-speaking backgrounds are required to submit a valid TOEFL or IELTS score as proof of English language proficiency.
How to Get Into a Deferred MBA Program?
Most US B-schools, including the stalwarts like Stanford and Harvard, don’t have a separate application process for the deferred MBA programs. However, the deferred MBA admission process may have separate application deadlines. Most US B-Schools follow an almost similar MBA admission format with subtle changes.
1. Online Application
The applicant has to create an account in the B-schools admission portal first. Once the username and password are generated, the applicant can use the portal to complete the admission process.
2. Resume
Submit a professional resume detailing your professional and academic career path. Limit the resume length to one or two pages as the B-school’s requirement.
3. Essay Questions
Answer the essay questions as per the B-school’s requirement. B-Schools like MIT Sloan ask for video questions where you’ll explain your answers in a short video format.
Whatever the medium, use the essay requirement to highlight your thought process. Explain why a deferred MBA in the USA can be ideal for you and how you plan to use your deferment period and MBA degree later.
4. Academic Transcripts and Test Scores
Scan and upload mark sheets and certificates of all the colleges and universities you’ve attended until now or currently attending. Your transcripts should include the subjects undertaken and the marks or grades scored in them. Moreover, submit the GMAT test score at the designated place.
5. Letter of Recommendation
Almost all B-schools require you to submit recommendation letters from individuals who personally know you and your academic accomplishments. Check the B-School’s website to know whether to submit one or two recommendation letters.
6. Personal Interview
You’ll be called for the interview only if your application is selected. The interview is an excellent opportunity to show the interesting aspects of your personality that can make you an ideal Deferred MBA candidate.
While some steps or admission stages may vary depending on the b-school you’re applying to, the basic application structure can resemble the stages mentioned above.
Tips to Increase Admission Prospects Into a Deferred MBA Program
A cursory look at the class profiles of most B-schools can suggest that the deferred MBA cohorts are usually more competitive than regular MBA programs. Therefore, a stellar academic record with quant skills can be some of the primary deciding factors.
However, admission committees of deferred MBA programs also look for some special qualities that can highlight your application.
Focus and Clarity of Goals
Focus doesn’t always have to mean focusing on career goals. The admission committee wants to know whether you can pursue your passion single-mindedly. For example, an undergrad’s final year might be too early to determine a future career trajectory. But are you clear about your expectations or the problems or issues that motivate you? The admission committee likes candidates with clear ambitions and how they want to put their MBA to use in achieving their dreams.
Leadership Skills
Admission committees of deferred MBA programs look for strong evidence of strong leadership skills. For example, have you led a group of peers to complete an academic project successfully? Have you been able to rally your friends for a common social cause or against a social peril? If yes, you’ve got some brownie points in your application.
Community Impact
Ruthless managers with a sole eye on the bottom line are parts of history. Business today is all about inclusiveness. So, B-schools today want to nurture future leaders with empathy who can lead people with compassion. Therefore, highlight incidents or experiences that show you’re able to have a positive impact on your community. After all, you must be a competent but likable manager in the future.
Deferred MBA programs in the USA are undoubtedly competitive. But that’s natural when you’re competing against some of the best in the world. However, proper planning, determination, and preparation can certainly see you through the admission process. Considering the high RoI on a deferred MBA, the effort is worth every bit of your time.
FAQs related to the Deferred MBA programs in USA
1. What’s the Difference Between a Deferred MBA and a Regular MBA Program?
There’s no difference at all. The deferred MBA is only an admission process signifying that you’ll start your MBA after acquiring some work experience. Once you begin your course, you’ll be put into the full-time MBA cohort of that year.
2. By What Time Should I Take the GMAT Exam While Applying for the Deferred MBA?
All applicants must take the GMAT exam by the application deadline of the particular B-School. However, you can submit the official GMAT or GRE scores during the later stages of admission.
3. Is There a Minimum GMAT Requirement for Deferred MBA Programs?
There is no minimum GMAT requirement. However, you should aim for a high GMAT score to improve your resume. You can check the b-schools’ latest class profile to know the average GMAT score of the current batch.
4. Are Deferred MBA Applicants Considered for Scholarships?
Yes. Deferred MBA applicants can be considered for scholarships as per the b-schools financial aid system. Top business schools like Harvard, Stanford, etc., automatically review all applications for their various scholarship programs.
Moreover, international applicants can also apply and secure financial aid based on their merit and profile.
5. How Long Can I Defer My Admission After Securing Admission to a Deferred Program?
You can defer your admission from two to four or five years, depending on the B-school’s admission policy.
