Deferred admissions MBA programs suggest that the typical expectation of what & how one does in the workforce for the two to five year period after earning an undergraduate degree is not as important as many admissions folks claim.
At the very least, this appears to be a lessening of selective admissions standards for an M-7 MBA program. On the other hand, Harvard & Stanford–both M-7 MBA programs–have the youngest average age of students among this elite group. And, if I recall correctly, Harvard started this type of early admit admissions practice to its MBA program.
Whether or not this shows a lessening of admissions standards or a change in admissions’ factors should be a focus of discussion.
“Thriving in a collaborative environment” seems to be a key focus which is replacing success & meaningful contributions & accomplishments in the workplace after finishing undergraduate school.
Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business–not an M-7 program, but highly ranked-- recently shared that it seeks the quality of being nice or niceness in its admits.
In short, being a great student does not mean that one will be a great leader or successful in the business world. Seems as though MIT-Sloan MBA program has identified characteristics which predict such success.