Any possibility for deferral while wait on scholarship

[kaweewut]

Dear Experts and Folks

I have planed to apply for top MBA program including HBS, Stanford, Wharton and MIT at the end of this year. However, talking to my company lately, they still did not have an answer for me yet regarding the MBA scholarship. It seems like it would take a little while to finalize this issue.

I an wondering that in case I get accepted to one of the MBA program above but, supposedly, I have to wait on the scholarship for another year as per company advice. Is there any possibility that the B-shcool will grant the deferment and waive my application process next year due to my scholarship thing? Any case like mine happened before??

Thx for you advices in advance.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear kaweewut,

Schools vary on how they handle deferral requests and when they grant deferrals. Since it is possible you will have a scholarship in place to start in fall 2011, then I don't think you should wait to apply as you don't want to apply in the third round. For deferrals, it is always best to ask for one earlier in the admissions cycle than later. So, if you apply in round 1, are admitted, and then find out your scholarship won't be available until fall 2012, it is better for you to ask for the deferral in December 2010 than in May/June of 2011. If a school has time to "replace" you in the class, then it is more amenable to granting a deferral.

Having said all of that though, I strongly encourage you to get a sense from your company on when the scholarship would be available once you know if you will receive it. For instance, if you are approved for it this year, but it still would not be available until fall 2012, then you would know to wait on your applications.

Good luck,
Lisa

[kaweewut]

Dear Lisa

Thx for your advices ^^

Cheers!!

Kaweewut