Deferred MBA
What is a deferred MBA?
Business schools typically require work experience to apply to their MBA program. However, the ‘deferred MBA’ or ‘early-career MBA’ application process allows students who are completing their undergraduate program to apply before they have work experience. Students apply during their senior year and, if admitted, will defer their enrollment in the MBA program for 2-5 years while they work and gain professional skills.
How should I decide if I should apply to deferred MBA programs?
Deciding to apply to a MBA program is a complex decision. Consider the following:
- Your professional goals. What do you hope to accomplish in the next 2-5 years (in the deferral period)? What do you hope to accomplish in the long term?
- How a professional MBA aligns with your long-term career goals. Students who apply to business school are hoping to accelerate their career advancement or pivot to a new field.
- The time and financial commitment.
Choosing what schools to apply to?
Not all MBA programs offer a deferred MBA, however, here are a few popular options for students:
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- The Yale Silver Scholars Program is unique. If admitted, you will complete the first year of your MBA directly after you graduate with your bachelor’s degree. After the initial year, you will work for 1+ years and then return for your second and final year of coursework.
Please note: Please read the eligibility requirements for each program carefully. Many programs encourage students across all academic backgrounds to apply while some schools may preference applicants with a STEM or non-business background.
For additional research on MBA programs, check out:
The application and timeline:
Deferred MBA application deadlines vary but are typically in Spring of your senior year (April). For more information on deadlines, see
Application components may include the following:
- Online application
- Test Scores (the GMAT or GRE)
- If you are 花季视频 undergraduate student applying to the Kellogg Future Leaders program, test scores are not required
- Professional resume
- Essays, short answers, or a cover letter
- Video essay/interview
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- After submitting your application, you may be invited to a live interview
Information on the GRE and GMAT
- For more information on the GRE, visit
- For more information on the GMAT, visit
- Can’t decide which test to take? Read more here:
- Prep materials: offers free resources and they also have a number of print volumes on permanent reserve. To find these, go to the advanced search on and click on the “course reserve” button, and then do a keyword search for “gmat” or “gre”.