Your Business School Application after Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way people live, work, and study in most parts of the world. There are changes in the education sector too, and as a result, prospective students might need to adapt to a new business school application process.

In this webinar, Dr. Don Martin from the Graduate School Road Map sums up the implications of Covid-19 on the 2020-21 and 2021-22 intakes. Thanks to his 28 years of professional experience in enrollment and student services at top US universities, you can prepare and adapt to a new admissions cycle.

Business school admissions in 2020-2021

At the moment, many prospective applicants are choosing to postpone or defer their studies until next year’s intake. This decision is understandable as there is still uncertainty about the implications of Covid-19 on graduate school programs.

However, universities are doing everything in their power to accommodate new students who are eager to begin their MBA or Master’s. Many schools have already extended their application deadlines through June or July. Some application requirements are also different. For example, you might not need to submit a standardized test score (GMAT or GRE) this year. Even if you still have to take an aptitude test for business school admission, test centers now offer flexible options, such as sitting the exam at home.

You might also be wondering if students who gain admission to their business school of choice would be able to have some sort of onboarding experience all together. According to Dr. Don Martin, this will be possible in an online environment where fellow classmates can still get to know each other before the start of their program.

There are a couple of questions about the business school experience which are as yet unresolved. Will classes start on campus or remotely? How will internship recruitment work? As Dr. Don Martin points out, time will show how different universities will be able to overcome these challenges.

Business school admissions in 2021-2022

If you have decided to apply to your dream MBA or Master’s program in the 2021-2022 intake, there are more details you need to be aware of. First, be prepared for a substantial increase in applications next year. Many prospective students have already postponed or deferred their studies, which means the competition to get a spot in business school in 2021 will be greater.

In addition, there are still concerns about the freedom of mobility of international students. Depending on the country you come from, travelling to your study destination or obtaining a visa might involve a different process.

Are you planning to rely on scholarship funding for your studies in 2021-22? If this is the case, keep in mind that Covid-19 has taken its toll on the financial capabilities of some educational institutions. They might not be able to offer the usual amount of scholarship money.

As the world gets accustomed to the “new normal”, prospective students will hopefully get more information about their business school application process. For example, some MBA and Master’s programs might change their format, teaching methods, class size, etc. Dr. Don Martin also believes that school requirements for submitting standardized test scores might change. Finally, prospective students should be prepared that some universities might have to close permanently as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

Tips for prospective business school applicants

In this webinar, Dr. Don Martin shares important advice that every MBA and Master’s applicant should follow, regardless of the intake they are interested in.

Check official school websites and announcements regularly. The situation around the globe and in particular regions is changing constantly which means you need to be aware of new developments in the application process.

Try to be patient and flexible in the coming months. There is a lot of uncertainty, both for business school candidates and for universities. If you think you will benefit from beginning your studies in fall 2020, Dr. Don Martin says there is still time to apply for this intake.

Whether you decide to apply now or wait until 2021, be sure to prepare the best application you can.