ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN = MORE MBA APPLICANTS

[VP_MBA_Guru]

https://www.bostonherald.com/business/ge ... iz_school/

Something many of us know... but interesting article about the expected increase in MBA applications this year.

NP

[egybs]

Yikes!!

Conservatively, that means HBS had an acceptance rate of around 11.5%. This assumes that their yield remained unchanged at around 90%... but i would imagine that the yield would also go up with increased applications...

In any case, class of 2011 is going to be even worse!

[JoeInSF]

So, let's make an assumption that most of the net increase in applicants are those who worked in financial services. This sort of makes sense because certainly engineering jobs aren't being hit as hard (at least in silicon valley) and I haven't heard about layoffs from any of my consulting friends - but then again, we're all on the west coast.

In an effort to maintain background diversity at the top b-schools, do you think that the net increase in applications from the financial (and related) services background will trickle down and impact those of us who are gainfully employed on the West coast for applying to Chicago or east coast schools, who don't work in financial services? Or is this more likely than not to impact just those who come from impacted backgrounds?

[Woowoo]

People not in finance will not be hit as hard....
mainly because schools want diversity.
Can't be a class of finance people only

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Joe -
That is a great question. Several people have asked me the same thing.

While there will be a big increase in Finance applicants, I also think the economic slowdown has hit all sectors, so there will be an increase in other applicant pools as well. While you dont hear about massive layoffs in other industries/fields, many people are anticipating 'less work' over the next months/years and therefore might be inclined to apply this year.

On a side note, its amazing to me that the Bay Area has been able to more or less 'weather' the economic slowdown that is killing the rest of the country.

Regards,

NP

[egybs]

The other interesting thing I learned is that while US GMAT registrations have increased slightly, international GMAT registrations have skyrocketed. That seems like a pretty significant piece of info!

https://www.gmac.com/gmac/researchandtre ... volume.htm

[VP_MBA_Guru]

Wow. That is interesting! Although its something many of us Admissions Consultants have seen over the past few years... a significant increase in international applicants!

Thanks for sharing...

[egybs]

Maybe it's proprietary info... but have you guys seen a decrease in the rate of which your international applicants are accepted to their top choice schools?

Also, I'm a Canadian and Turkish citizen (grew up in Canada), but am a US permanent resident (on the citizenship path as we speak) working in the US... I also went to college here.

What pool do I fit under? Will it make much of a difference?