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
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 / 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 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 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
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
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.
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