Top 5 Reasons for Undergrads to Apply for Deferred Admission

Our deferred MBA students have shared that applying early to one of the most flexible MBA programs in the world gave them a jump start on accelerating their careers and allowed them the freedom to explore their interests early on without feeling rushed. But what does applying to a deferred MBA program mean? Deferred MBA programs allow you to secure your place in an MBA program during your senior year of undergrad so that you can embark on your career and then start your program of choice after gaining a few years of work experience.

Chicago Booth offers a deferred MBA program known as the Chicago Booth Scholars Program. Applying as a deferred MBA applicant at Chicago Booth comes with many benefits, some of which begin before even deciding to officially attend our institution. Check out these benefits as we list the top five reasons you should apply to our deferred MBA program during your senior year of undergrad.

1. Apply now, stress less later. The Chicago Booth Scholars deferred MBA program allows you to take on the MBA application process while you are still an undergraduate student. That means you can write the application essays, tackle the standardized tests, and ask for letters of recommendation while you are still in student mode. This way, you can focus on getting the most out of your professional and personal experiences post-college, without worrying about the application process later on.

2. Free to apply. Applicants that apply to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program have the added benefit of getting the $250 application fee waived. This allows you to apply to one of the top MBA programs in the world free of charge!

3. Flexibility in your professional timeline. One of the best parts about applying to the Chicago Booth Scholars Program is that you decide when the time is right for you to earn your MBA. Are you looking to expand your network? Do you want to explore multiple job roles? Do you want to lead with intention? You have 2-5 years after graduating to enroll in our Full-Time, Evening, or Weekend MBA Program. Traditional full-time applicants on average have five years of work experience, and traditional part-time applicants on average have six years of work experience. In your unique position as a deferred MBA applicant, it’s completely up to you to decide when to start and which program best aligns with your goals!

4. Gain immediate access to an incredible professional network. After being accepted into Chicago Booth’s deferred MBA program, you don’t have to wait until you start class to begin connecting with other Booth students and alumni. As soon as you are admitted into the Booth Scholars Program, you have access to the Booth community, which includes over 60,000 alumni leading in 120 countries. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with members of the Booth community at in-person mixers and virtual events.

5. Freedom to chart your own career path. People pursue an MBA for a variety of reasons, and whether you already have visualized what your next five years will look like or if you are still exploring your options, an MBA at Booth will accelerate your impact. Some of our students come to Booth looking to expand their skillsets and remain in the same industry, but others find they want to use their MBA experience as an opportunity to pivot into a new role, industry, or career altogether. In other words, your path doesn’t have to be set in stone when you apply.

Keep in mind that these are just a few of the benefits of applying early to secure your seat in a class of future industry leaders. Click here to learn more about our deferred MBA program and how to apply. 

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