The Pulse – Weekly Newsletter 6/22/20

As we expect record high MBA and Masters applications for this year and next, a high GMAT score and diligent admissions preparation will be key not only to get accepted, but also to receive significant scholarships. The Merchant Admissions team has been hard at work this year compiling a complete,  up to date guide on potential scholarships offered by 20 of the Top MBA programs for this year’s MBA application process.  How to apply for these scholarships? What should you be doing now to prepare for them?

Scholarships range from criteria across the board based on nationalities, gender, LGBTQ -specific, industry and more.  Check out what fellowships, grants, and scholarships might be the right fit for you and feel free to reach out for your free 30 minute consultation with our Admissions department to find out how we have helped our students source more than 1.1 million dollars in scholarships since 2018!

Download Merchant Global Guide to Scholarships

Paying for your MBA: Merit Scholarships for Argentinian Applicants

We all know that an MBA program is an investment in your future. But how do you pay for it now? Fortunately, many scholarships exist for talented applicants. I combed the internet searching for scholarships that might benefit MerchantGMAT students, such as scholarships for women and Latin American applicants. Check out the information below and click on the links for more details.

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The 2020-2021 application updates for the week! As more and more business schools post their 2020-2021 admissions deadlines, and facing what is probably going to be the most challenging application season ever, it is essential to start the process as soon as possible and take all the necessary time to streamline a great application. Click if you would like to book a free 30 minute consultation for immediate advice and learn how we can help you get to where you want to go (hopefully with a scholarship too!). Below you’ll find a list of news regarding GMAT, MBA programs, and webinar updates!

Wharton

Wharton will accept at-home GRE and GMAT test scores. This new format allows you to take exams virtually, while being monitored by a proctor online. The 2020-2021 application will open in July 2020. Click here for more info.

Stanford GSB

Stanford GSB Plans To Start And End Its First Autumn Quarter Early. School asks first-year MBAs to be on campus by Sept. 4 for its blended online and in-person start to the new school year.

Columbia Business School

Columbia Business School debuted a new required essay question along with posting its 2020-2021 application deadlines, which goes further than before to push candidates to get personal: “Tell us about your favorite book, movie or song and why it resonates with you.” Click here for more info.

DardenUVA

Darden Introduces Test Flexibility, Launches Application for Admission to the Full-Time MBA Class of 2023The new application cycle extends the School’s test flexibility pilot to include the Executive Assessment for the first time and the opportunity for test waivers, offers a new Early Action option, and gives admitted students early access to career resources. More info here.

Duke

Duke / Fuqua is now taking the Executive Assessment as a substitute for the GMAT/GRE: “We will accept Executive Assessment (EA) scores as well for applicants to the Daytime MBA program. If you are taking the EA, please send an email to application-processing@fuqua.duke.edu to let us know so that we may make that option valid on your application.” Read more here.

UCLA

UCLA Gains STEM-Designation For All Three MBA Programs: The school gained the designation across all three of its MBA programs, full-time, fully-employed and Executive MBA, not merely specific concentrations as some schools have adopted. Through the government’s Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, STEM degree holders qualify for 36 months of post-graduate work in the U.S., three times longer than otherwise. Applicants get one chance at the H-1B lottery each year; three years of OPT means three shots at the prize. Read more here.

IMD

IMD continues to be flexible about testing: “Candidates who demonstrate the qualities that we look for throughout the application process, but who have been unable to submit their GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS test results due to the closure of local test centers, will be given a Conditional Offer dependent on the score received once test options are made available.” Check here for more info.

2020-2021 Application Deadlines

• HBS:

  • Round 1: September 8

  • Round 2: January 5 2021

• Wharton:

  • Round 1: September 15

  • Round 2: January 5 2021

  • Round 3: March 31 2021

• Stanford:

  • Round 1: September 15

  • Round 2: January 6 2021

  • Round 3: April 6 2021

• Cambridge Judge:

  • Round 1: September 7

  • Round 2: October 19

  • Round 3: January 11, 2021

  • Round 4: March 8, 2021

  • Round 5: April 26, 2021

• Columbia:

  • Round 1: October 2 (Early and Regular Decision)

  • Round 2: April 9 (Regular Decision)

• INSEAD:

  • Class of July 2022

    • Round 1: September 11

    • Round 2: November 6

    • Round 3: January 8, 2021

    • Round 4: February 26, 2021

  • Class of December 2022

    • Round 1: March 5, 2021

    • Round 2: April 23, 2021

    • Round 3: June 18, 2021

    • Round 4: July 30, 2021

• Michigan Ross:

  • Round 1: September 14, 2020

  • Round 2: January 4, 2021

  • Round 3: March 29, 2021

  • Round 4: June 1, 2021

• Duke / Fuqua MBA Deadlines 2020-2021

  • Early Action: September 23, 2020

  • R1: October 20, 2020

  • R2: January 7, 2021

  • R3: March 25, 2021

• Berkeley Haas

  • R1: September 24, 2020

  • R2: January 14, 2021

  • R3: April 5, 2021

• Darden

  • R1: October 5, 2020

  • R2: January 4, 2021

  • R3: April 7, 2021

• Chicago Booth

  • R1: September 24, 2020

  • R2: January 12, 2021

  • R3: April 1, 2021

This Week’s Live MBA Events

In this current Covid world we are living in now, traditional networking events and school visits have been replaced by online webinars and meetings. It is absolutely crucial that you participate in these meetings in order to have those first “touches” with admissions directors and show your interest in learning the most you can about your target MBA programs.

Take note of the dates, important messaging and phrases the speakers say, and who proctored the event to leverage in your future essays and interviews. These small details can make the difference between getting accepted and not.

• June 23: Michigan Ross Multi-School MBA Application Tips Webinar
• June 23: Berkeley Hass Admissions Chat Q&A
• June 23: Berkeley Hass MBA Multi-School Application Tips Webinar
• June 24: HBS Industry Spotlight Series: Private Equity: Wonder what an MBA could do to help with your professional growth? Hear from alumni in the private equity industry as they reflect on their MBA experience
• June 24: GMAC GMAC:

  Join us, the makers of the GMAT™ exam, for four chances to learn more about the GMAT, starting on Thursday, May 28 at noon (ET) to learn more about the details for the exam.

  This webinar is for candidates who will take the GMAT to apply to graduate business programs. Topics for each webinar will include:

  Exam structure and scoring

  Test registration pricing and process

  Computer requirements and test security

  Test preparation recommendations

• June 24: Wharton MBA/MA Lauder Joint-Degree in International Studies Webinar: Join Director of Admissions Marketing and Financial Aid, Kara Keenan Sweeney, for an interactive overview of The Lauder Institute’s MA International Studies joint degree program with the Wharton MBA. This webinar will discuss the two-year curriculum, student life, career information, and the admissions process. After an overview of the program, Kara will answer your questions live.
• June 24: MIT Sloan Master of Finance Online Chat with Admissions:
• June 24: NYU Stern Virtual Information Session: Join current MBA students or members of the Admissions Committee to learn about all that Stern has to offer. Information sessions will provide an overview of our programs and the application process.
• June 24: Michigan Ross Ask Me Anything: Michigan Ross MBA Partners & Families: Join Admissions representatives online to have your questions about MIT Sloan answered.
• June 24: Cambridge Judge MBA webinar – virtual open day: An overview of the Cambridge MBA programme plus a summary of the process, tips on planning and completing your application, and a Q&A with Amy Duckworth, Head of MBA Recruitment & Admissions.
• June 24: Berkeley Hass Admissions Chat Q&A
• June 24: Berkeley Hass HSA Information Session
• June 24: Forté Women Lead Webinar Series: We’re bringing together three seasoned businesswomen with deep and varied executive experiences to share their best leadership tips, lightning-round style.
• June 25: ESADE How to finance your studies at Esade: Don’t miss this opportunity to solve your doubts about financing options!
• June 25: HBS Joint Degree Series: HKS & HLS Joint Degree Q&A: Join Jill Fadule, Director of Joint Degrees, for a virtual Q&A on HBS’s joint degree programs with Harvard Law School and Harvard Kennedy School.
• June 25: LBS MBA Information Session
• June 25: The MBA Summit The MBA Summit: The MBA Summit Livestream is for any candidate thinking about applying to a top-ranked MBA program. Register today to get answers to your most pressing MBA questions from our panel of admissions directors at Michigan Ross, Columbia, and Yale, along with editor-in-chief of Poets&Quants, John A. Byrne.
• June 25: Columbia Virtual MBA Information Session
• June 25: Yale Admissions Q&A: Join us for a live online Q&A session hosted by a Yale SOM Admissions Committee member. These are small, interactive sessions where all participants are encouraged to share their audio and video, replicating the group conversation you would experience during an in-person campus visit.
• June 25: NYU Stern: Virtual Information Session Join current MBA students or members of the Admissions Committee to learn about all that Stern has to offer. Information sessions will provide an overview of our programs and the application process.
• June 25: LBS: Online MBA Overview

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