In a recent Clear Admit webinar on deferred MBA admissions, Tre Coles, Associate Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, shared insights into who should consider deferred enrollment, what makes Tepper’s approach unique, and how applicants can stand out in the process. Read on for his insights into the Tepper Future Business Leaders program.
Who Should Consider Deferred Admission?
Coles emphasized that deferred MBA programs are particularly well-suited for forward-thinking, intentional planners:
“Students that should definitely look into a deferred MBA program are students who like to plan, who want the opportunity to explore different industries, different functions, or even different locations.”
He explained that securing a future MBA seat allows candidates to explore their early careers with greater freedom. Rather than feeling pressure to optimize every decision for a future application, deferred admits can experiment across industries, roles, and geographies:
“You won’t feel as rush[ed] to optimize every single move for an immediate MBA application.”
Additionally, Coles noted that deferred admission gives students time to prepare financially and strategically. For example, candidates can research scholarships and organizations such as Forte or The Consortium well in advance, enabling more informed decisions about funding their MBA.
At the same time, he acknowledged that not everyone is ready to apply early. Candidates still exploring their strengths or long-term direction may benefit from waiting:
“If your career is still evolving, maybe see how an MBA program would benefit you, then it’s probably best to follow the more traditional MBA path.”
What Sets Tepper Apart?
Coles highlighted several distinctive aspects of the Tepper MBA experience. One is the program’s small, collaborative class size, typically ranging from 140 to 160 students, which fosters a tight-knit community.
He also emphasized Tepper’s deep integration with the broader Carnegie Mellon ecosystem:
“Students can take classes amongst 8 different graduate schools at Carnegie Mellon.”
This cross-disciplinary flexibility allows MBA students to engage with fields such as computer science, engineering, and the arts—an advantage in an increasingly interdisciplinary business world.
Another defining feature is Tepper’s longstanding leadership in analytics and artificial intelligence:
“We are the birthplace of AI. It is incorporated into our curriculum through different courses and electives.”
Staying Connected During the Deferral Period
Unlike the traditional MBA path, Tepper’s deferred program keeps students actively engaged before they matriculate. Coles explained that admitted students gain early access to resources and relationships across the school:
“You have access to many of the different departments and resources at our campus.”
This includes opportunities to connect with current students, faculty, and the Master’s Career Center, as well as regular check-ins to support career development. The goal is to ensure that deferred admits arrive on campus prepared and integrated:
“By the time that you join our program, you already know exactly where [things are], you’ve already talked with our teams.”
Application Insights: Reflection Over Activity
Coles also provided detailed guidance on how Tepper evaluates applicants, particularly through its essays and newer video essay component.
The video essay—typically two minutes in length—asks candidates to articulate both short-term and long-term goals. Beyond content, it also evaluates communication skills:
“We’ll be evaluating your communication skills and your eye contact — can we put you in front of recruiters?”
More broadly, Coles stressed that Tepper is looking for self-awareness and growth, not just a list of accomplishments:
“We’re not looking for just activity. We want students to really reflect and show growth.”
Strong candidates demonstrate an understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, along with concrete plans for development—whether through mentorship, new responsibilities, or stepping outside their comfort zones.
For applicants who may not yet have secured a job offer, Coles offered reassurance. Instead of focusing on outcomes, candidates should highlight direction and initiative:
“Focus on your direction, share the type of roles, industries, and why they make sense. Show initiative [and] intentionality.”
Key Takeaways from Tepper
Coles’ perspective highlights several important lessons for deferred MBA applicants:
- Deferred programs reward planners who want to map out their MBA journey early.
- Flexibility is a major benefit, enabling exploration without pressure.
- Tepper’s strengths lie in analytics, AI, and interdisciplinary learning.
- Engagement begins before matriculation, with strong institutional support.
- Authenticity and reflection matter more than résumé padding.
Overall, Tepper’s approach underscores that deferred admission is not just about securing a future seat—it’s about using the time before business school intentionally to grow, explore, and prepare for long-term success.
