What is an early admission MBA program?
Early admission MBA programs are designed for undergraduate students, or graduate students with no full-time work experience. For students who want to get a head start and solidify the next stage in their career and education. Early admission MBA programs provide an opportunity for high-achieving undergraduate applicants to plan their future through direct admission to an MBA program or, a conditional two-to-five-year deferred acceptance. These programs appeal to students with no full-time work experience and recent graduates who want to build expertise in a chosen field before getting their MBA.
Who is eligible to apply?
To qualify for early admission MBA programs, you need to be in the final year of your undergraduate studies. Or you need to be completing the last year of a graduate degree that you entered immediately after undergrad. Essentially, you cannot have any type of full-time work experience. Furthermore, you will need two letters of recommendation, a completed application, a resume, and a GMAT or GRE score.
However, some programs will waive the GRE or GMAT score. For example, the MIT Sloan 2-5 Deferment Program will waive a GRE or GMAT score for MIT students with a GPA of 4.2 or higher. Also keep in mind that business schools tend to prefer the GMAT score as it shows more subject-specific knowledge. If you’re an international applicant, you will also need to demonstrate language proficiency with a TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score if you cannot prove English is your first language.
The early admission MBA programs are extremely competitive. Only the best of the best MBA applicants are admitted. You don’t just need the above requirements; you need to be a megastar in each of these requirements.
What schools offer the best early admission MBA programs?
Harvard Business School 2+2 Program
The HBS 2+2 is designed to give students two years of full-time work experience followed by two years to complete their MBA. Note that only students who are in their last year of their undergraduate course, or students who have pursued a master’s degree immediately following undergrad, can apply to this program. You will get accepted during your final year and then you must gain work experience for two years. Only after this, can you start classes at HBS to complete the two-year MBA program. Hence the name, two (years) plus two (years).
MIT Sloan 2-5 Year Deferred Enrollment Program
MIT Sloan Deferred Enrollment Program is slightly more lenient with regards to the amount of work experience MBA applicants can pursue before enrolling in their early admissions MBA. You can take a minimum of two years to gain work experience before enrolling in the full-time MBA program. However, the average work experiences a candidate has when entering this program is just below five years. All other protocols are the same as regular admits. You will have to accept your place for a full-time MBA and then your enrollment is deferred from there. You can delay starting classes from two to five years to gain work experience.
An attractive feature that Sloan offers is the different degree options: the Finance Track, the Entrepreneurship Track, and the Innovation Track. There are also three certificates: Business Analytics, Healthcare, and Sustainability. Sloan also offers dual degree options. However, you will start with the core curriculum and then you are encouraged to branch out.
The Booth Scholars Program
The Booth Scholars Program allows for students to defer enrollment for two to four years under the condition of working full-time. Since 2018, the Booth Scholars Program has accepted candidates from other schools beyond the University of Chicago. A key feature that Booth provides is constant support. Booth will support you with regular programming and networking events as you navigate your first job after college. However, Booth's admissions committee has a high expectation that you bring impressive extracurriculars and development in leadership skills throughout your deferral period.
The Wharton Moelis Advance Access Program
Unlike other early admission MBA programs, the Wharton Moelis Advanced Access Program is only open to senior undergraduate students from the University of Pennsylvania. You can defer enrollment for two to four years to attain work experience. You are also encouraged to find employment across a wide range of industries. Wharton will give you access to all of their resources, community members, and professional development opportunities. You will have access to these not only once you’re admitted to the program, but also during your deferment.
Yale Silver Scholars Program
The Yale Silver Scholars Program is the most unique amongst all other early admission MBA programs. It is a direct ticket into the Yale MBA program. After completing the undergraduate degree, you will enter the three-year MBA program directly. You will not have the option to defer enrollment for any period. You will complete the same application as the other full-time MBA candidates. All MBA candidates are equally considered across the numerous application rounds. The MBA program consists of three years: the first year is the integrated core curriculum, the second year is the extended internship, and the third year is your elective(s).