Full Videos: Deferred Enrollment MBA Application Insight Series
Do you have your sights set on Deferred Enrollment MBA programs? We hosted a few events in February 2022 on how to amp up your application for these special pathways to b-school. See the full video recaps below.
In each 60-minute panel event, we spoke with representatives from leading MBA programs to learn about their deferred enrollment opportunities. During the panels, we covered:
- Program structures and admissions requirements
- An overview of the application process
- Characteristics of strong deferred enrollment applicants
- Application advice direct from the schools
Panelists from Berkeley Haas, CBS, Carnegie Mellon Tepper, Chicago Booth
On Wednesday, February 2nd, we welcomed four representatives to discuss their respective deferred enrollment programs. Panelists included Eric Askins, Executive Director of Full-Time Admissions at Berkeley Haas School of Business; Gina Cecchetti, Associate Director of Master’s Admissions at Carnegie Mellon University; Jacob Parry, Assistant Director of Admissions, Student Recruitment at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Morgan Janella, Director of Admissions at Columbia Business School.
Watch the video below to catch up on the February 2nd session:
Panelists from MIT Sloan, Wharton, UVA Darden, Yale SOM
On Wednesday, February 9th, we welcomed the following guests: Dawna Levenson, Assistant Dean of Admissions at MIT Sloan; Katherine Alford, Director of Admissions, Future Year Scholars Program at UVA Darden; Jake Kohler, Director, Moelis Advance Access Program, in Wharton MBA Admissions at the Wharton School; and Bruce DelMonico, Assistant Dean of Admissions at Yale SOM.
Watch the video below to catch up on the February 9th session:
MBA Applywire
Profile Review: Banking/PE Experience for INSEAD GEMBA (May '27) / LBS EMBA (Jan '28) – Consulting Pivot?
Hi all, looking for a reality check on my profile for top-tier EMBAs with a goal of pivoting into Management Consulting (MBB).
Background:
\* Age: 33 at enrollment
\* Current Role: Associate Director in a major Nordic bank (Corporate Banking/PE/Risk focus).
\* Work Experience: \~7+ years.
\* Current: Lead on liquidity strategy, PE value creation, and covenant restructuring. I manage high-value client portfolios day-to-day, though formal people management/team lead is handled by a Director.
\* Previous: Senior Analyst in Tier-1 US Bulge Bracket and Senior Consultant (Big 4, fast-track promotion).
\* Education: MSc in Finance & Accounting (Top Nordic BS).
\* The GPA Weakness: My academic GPA is on the lower side. However, I have a CFA Level I and have won some industry business cases while at Uni. I’m hoping my professional track record offsets the academic record.
\* Extracurriculars: Board member experience (Mensa/Non-profits).
Goals:
\* Target Programs: INSEAD GEMBA (Flex, May 2027 intake) or LBS EMBA (Blended, Jan 2028 intake).
\* Why MBA: Pivot from finance into Strategy Consulting (MBB) or PE (whom I advise daily).
Questions:
1. How much will a lower GPA hurt me at INSEAD/LBS if my professional trajectory is strong?
2. Does not having formal direct reports (but managing high-stakes client portfolios) hurt my candidacy for these senior-level programs?
3. Is an EMBA actually "consulting-pivot friendly" for someone already at an Associate Director-level in finance?
Appreciate any insights or past experiences from similar paths, thank you!
I’ve been in the cybersecurity space for about 5 years starting at a global Fortune 100 insurance firm before moving to my current org in the critical infrastructure sector. Currently a senior in incident response, I started as an intern. While the role is technical, my focus is on the strategic orchestration of response. Think stakeholder engagement, legal/PR/C-suite coordination, regulatory reporting, compliance, risk.
Outside of work I’m on the board of a non profit(not cybersecurity based), serving as the director of strategy and program development. I also volunteer to do pro-bono cyber consulting for NGOs, focusing more on the governance, planning, and strategic posture but also on other aspects of cybersecurity.
My academic path was non trad: BS cybersecurity from competency based program (pass/fail) then MS cybersecurity from NYU (3.6) working full time through both. Have a number of cyber related certifications, technical and non technical. Became more interested in an MBA last year.
Post-MBA, I’d like to transition into digital strategy consulting(MBB) and eventually move into private equity portfolio operations (focusing on tech strategy and value creation rather than the investment side). Given my professional and academic background which programs should I look into? Selected a few but don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’m in test prep right now for the GRE, targeting 325+.
Domestic ORM Male
BA Econ (T10 Public) - 3.46 GPA
MS Info Systems (T10 Public) - 3.50 GPA
Passed CFA L1 (L2 in progress)
4 years in Financial Reporting at a large asset manager (A2A promotion)
1 year in Investor Relations at LMM PE firm (potential promo to Senior Associate by application time)
Working on joining a reputable nonprofit ASAP to start gaining volunteer experience + potentially gain a leadership position
Post-MBA goal: Investment Banking (preferably NYC but open to anywhere on east coast + Chicago + Texas)
MBA LiveWire
Got scholarship as well $55k/yr