MBA application as a first-gen student

[lanabanana99]

Hi everyone!

I’m currently a senior hoping to gain admission into a deferred MBA program. I’m looking at a program at an M7 school, of which I am currently enrolled in as an undergrad. I am also a first-gen (Asian American) student who is not familiar with the grad school admissions process.

How similar is this process to undergrad admissions? To what degree will hooks such being a first-gen woman help? Will these factors be of increased importance since my school is not requiring GMAT scores for people enrolled as undergrads?

[itsgettingreal21]

Getting an MBA right out of undergrad is ill-advised and it’s unlikely you will be accepted especially to an M7, unless you’re talking about a deferred admission program. You need 2-5 years minimum of high quality work experience first to be a strong candidate. Why do you want an MBA right now? Do you have a job lined up for when you graduate? You should work first.

[lanabanana99]

I am applying through my school’s deferred MBA program, which does not require students to take the GMAT. Applications open up in 2 months for seniors and we can choose to defer our enrollment for up to 5 years, which I’m planning to do.

[itsgettingreal21]

Ok, great. My DD is applying for deferred admission as well. The process is similar to undergrad and it’s very competitive. Good luck!

[Publisher]

Since MBA deferred admissions programs are new, it is difficult to judge whether admissions is similar to, harder than, or easier than traditional admissions.

In your case, a further complication is that Northwestern Kellogg has had a very dramatic rise in MBA applications after waiving the GMAT requirement due to covid-19. Not sure whether or not the deferred admission program will require the GMAT in the future, but I suspect that it will not.

NU Kellogg also offers a one academic year business masters degree open only to recent Northwestern graduates with less than one year of post undergraduate work experience.

[blossom]

The career services folks at your college will know everything you need to learn about MBA admissions. There is likely a counselor who specializes in professional program applicants- that’s the person to talk to.