2020: we’re not even halfway through and it’s already upended everything we thought we knew about, well, pretty much everything. Because I work with international clients, I heard about the Chinese lockdowns last January and saw the virus inexorably heading toward the United States. On one of my final trips out of the house pre-Shelter in Place, I met with a client at the GSB Coupa Cafe, each of us grabbing some hand sanitizer from the cafe dispenser. We sat indoors at a table in this crowded gathering spot, me wondering how big a risk we were taking.
That was early March, just before Stanford shut down for the rest of the academic year. I haven’t left my home, except for brief outings, since then. Spring remained busy in my world, with most of my clients getting interviews at HBS, Columbia, Wharton, MIT Sloan, and others — and of the seven that applied to Stanford for round 2, all received an invitation. It wasn’t until April/May, when schools started extending round 3 deadlines, that I realized that this was an admissions season like no other. May was almost as busy as January had been.
So, here we are in June. Unlike most summers, where admissions officers travel the world to meet with prospective students, all outreach will be virtual, as schools and applicants adapt to the new normal.
It’s always good to apply to round 1, if you’re prepared, because the class is wide open. This year, round 1 will be like round 2 at the schools that allowed admits to the class of 2022 to defer a year or two, with many spaces in the class of 2023 already occupied.
What does this mean to the prospective applicant? I’d say: don’t wait until round 2 if at all possible. Apply early for the best odds. Normally schools admit a majority of the class in round 2, but programs may be out of capacity by January.
Too, based on the calls and conversations I’ve had, the competition is likely to be intense. People who’ve been thinking about the MBA, but weren’t sure when they’d be ready, are realizing that this might be a great time to go to school and sit out the imminent recession/depression. When they graduate, in 2023, the economy is likely to be taking off after a couple of miserable years. There will be plenty of opportunities for newly minted MBA graduates who are prepared, don’t mind taking some risks, and keep an open mind. The world continues to evolve rapidly, and will need — more than ever — smart people who are prepared to lead and make things happen.
