All Schools - Note - 04-06-2021 | Clear Admit LiveWire

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April 6, 2021 6:42am ET

Note about All Schools

Round: Early Decision

Received via n/a

Standardized Test: I haven't taken any of the standardized tests yet.

Note:

It was a really tough year for applicants. Congratulations to all those who got in.
I am thinking about reapplying for the next year. Based on the trends, does anyone have any predictions or ideas how the next admission cycle will be, vis-à-vis the app volumes?
Given the rebound in economy and rapid pace of vaccination, especially in USA, things are expected to mostly return to normal, which in turn might see a downward shift in volumes, based on historical trends. But if last year has taught us anything, it's that you can't predict anything. Though I am absolutely curious to see what the collective wisdom of the populace here says. Any and all inputs are highly appreciated.
Thank you!

Juno Member: Not yet

Like (2)

Show Comments (10) Last: April 10, 2021

anon31937 Likes Earned: 78 Hard to know for sure. Think about the domino effect from deferred candidates and how a lot of top schools may have had less space - it could have made some people pause their MBA efforts until next year. Also think about the competition this year - someone with a great application could have been rejected from HSW because there were too many awesome applicants and they decide to wait another year. I have a feeling next year will be competitive again because of this domino effect. (3)

anon31937 Likes Earned: 78 Other things to think about: people who were affected by COVID probably have to go to school this year, but those who are fine with the rebound in the economy could probably wait until next year or the following year. I'll be 32 when school starts and I pretty much have to go this year, but if I was 28 with my 5 waitlists, I'd definitely wait another year or two. (5)

anon71961 Likes Earned: 84 OP here: that's what I am thinking. If I go this year, I will be 28 when school starts. So, I am thinking maybe I should try again next year. There will be a number of applicants who might do that. As to the domino effect you are talking about, I was considering the same thing. I mean I feel that if not for fierce competition this year, I might have gotten in my top choice schools. A lot of people might think the same and defer their plans, thereby leading to pretty much same application numbers. The competition might be the same if not more. (4)

anon71961 Likes Earned: 84 Now I am thinking maybe I shouldn't try my luck again next year lol. It might be prudent to just go this year and not leave it to chance. Something I will have to ponder (4)

anon75143 Likes Earned: 70 I don't think there is any evidence to assume that the competition next year will be less. Many people delayed their applications because of covid and in particular I think we'll see a large increase in international applications as COVID becomes less of a concern in the US and the current administration has a more friendly approach to immigration. Look at the schools that you gained admission to this cycle and ask yourself can I achieve my goals at these schools? Will I have a good experience at these schools as opposed to the schools I did not get into? Is it realistic and worth the effort to go through the process again next year when I can just enter this year? These questions can help guide your decision. For what it's worth, I think that most people who at least got into one of their schools this cycle should heavily consider attending since by the time you graduate that will put you into hopefully a very sweet post pandemic economic boom which will be a great start to your post-MBA career. Good luck! (3)

anon32162 Likes Earned: 18 We have to consider that the current economic downturn is unlike others we have observed in the recent past, with respect to MBA admissions: Normally, people try to go to business school when the economy is bad (e.g. 2008 etc.), which corresponds to the historical surge in applications we are talking about. This was (likely) still true this cycle, however, probably not nearly as much for internationals. It is not uncommon for classes to be made up of 40% international students, so this is an important differentiator from previous economic downturns and makes historical comparisons difficult.. Competition this year was more fierce for domestic applicants due to an increase in application volume, and it was more fierce for international students because of deferrals (see Stern). In my opinion, next cycle will be less competitive for domestic students, but, due to previously discussed domino effect, still highly competitive for international applicants. Will be super interesting to see in any case! :) (3)

anon10646 Likes Earned: 876 Per above comment and others earlier. People often shelter in schools during downturns, but excluding certain industries white-collar/office workers have been less impacted in this dip. WSJ had an article last week about Tech firms, which overall were winners in the past year, hiring MBAs at record pace. So you may have people who've been planning an MBA suddenly busy with new work responsibilities and not applying, while others are seeing the need to retool or shift gears from their current work and pull forward their MBA plans. So perhaps the next year or two is elevated before we see a potentially see a return to the prior downtrend. (2)

anon71961 Likes Earned: 84 Even I think it is going to be as competitive the next year, if not more. Both the scenarios, the uptick in hiring in certain industries thereby people there deferring their plans and those impacted by the pandemic applying now, seem equally plausible. And this is where it gets interesting. The uncertainty is definitely there and we never know which way the winds will shift. Maybe the rebound in economy continues and many people defer/drop their b-school plans. Or maybe the pandemic will take some more time to be brought under control, especially in the developing countries(India is currently experiencing a record number of infections daily, with lockdowns in certain regions), which may lead to a surge in international applicants. There might be a dip in domestic applicants but not in international students. As anon10646 pointed out, the next year at least, or maybe even the year after will see an increased number of apps (probably not as high as this year but still a substantial increase comparatively) before returning to the previous downward trajectory. (4)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 2066 Thanks for all of these great comments. My view is that the 21-22 FT MBA admission season for top FT MBA programs is likely to be as competitive as this year, but for slightly different reasons.. This year has been more competitive because of an increase in applicants to top schools and a slight reduction in supply of available seats due to admitted applicants last year deferring to this year. For 21-22, I am predicting both an increase in supply of available seats (because there will be fewer seats taken by deferring applicants) as well as an increase in demand. I believe that applicant demand will increase for two reasons. 1) There are risk adverse applicants who would have applied this year but held off due to lingering concerns about COVID. Five months from now, as it becomes apparent that FT MBA programs will return to a more normal in person experience, these risk adverse applicants will then apply, thus boosting application volume (due to pent up demand). 2) Career switchers. Given the strength in big tech, I imagine that a lot of applicants in other industries may seek to switch to a career in big tech and are likely to apply to top FT MBA programs to facilitate this career switch. Thus, I think that both supply and demand will increase, and next year is likely to be as competitive as this year. Thus, if you gained admission to a good business school this year, I would recommend matriculating this year and not re applying again next year unless you can materially improve your application. (4)

anon71961 Likes Earned: 84 Thanks eliot. This is a very pertinent observation and something I didn't think about. I'm in two minds about whether I should matriculate this year or reapply. I get your point about matriculating this year but lack of scholarship (international student) is making me rethink it in the current scenario (pandemic severely affected my work). I'm thinking about retaking GMAT and trying again next year; I also have new developments at work. Maybe third time's the charm hahaha (2)

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