Welcome to MBAxcel.
During the summer of 2022, as I prepared for my final year of college, I kept having these angsty, intrusive thoughts: I love school. I love the rich, deep experiences I’ve had in my business classes. And I’m not ready for this to be over.
I had no idea that these somewhat misguided and pessimistic presumptions would be the catalyst in one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional life: applying to a deferred MBA program.
Whether you’re not quite convinced that a deferred MBA program is right for you, or you’re fully grinding away at your personal statements at this very moment, I hope that my own dMBA journey may inspire or motivate you to pursue your MBA dreams.
This is MBAxcel: The Deferred MBA Newsletter.
I’m Justin Tang. Perhaps my story may resonate with you.
My goal with this endeavor is to serve as a resource to anyone who is pursuing a dMBA program. While I’m sure you’re aware that there is a plethora of MBA admissions content out on the internet, you may also have found that not a lot of these materials are directed toward you, specifically: a current student aiming to secure future enrollment at a top business school.
I hope to build a community here of eager, like-minded students on a collective journey to achieve the coveted goal of deferred MBA admissions.
Come along as we debunk deferred MBA myths, crack the GMAT, and find the best program for you. There’s a ton to talk about, so subscribe and get these posts in your inbox!
Here’s what you can expect:
Weekly Check-Ins: Every Monday, expect an email from me in your inbox with some exciting dMBA admissions events and opportunities, as well as my tip of the week. I may also include some interesting reads and other exclusive content.
Resources: I hope that this Substack can become a one-stop shop for you in your research. I’ll be compiling useful links and documents on the Resources tab of this website.
Special Features: Every now and then, I’ll share stories and insights from top dMBA admits, business school admissions directors, and myself. I hope these features can help inspire and motivate you as you aim for success.
MBA applications are a grind, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone! I hope I can join you on your deferred MBA adventure.
Who are you?
I’m Justin Tang! Nice to meet you. I’m a cybersecurity consultant based in Boston, but I hail from the San Francisco Bay Area.
I applied for deferred MBA programs in the 2022–23 application cycle as a senior at Boston University, where I studied Information Systems and Business Analytics at the Questrom School of Business and minored in Computer Science and Journalism.
After a challenging (but incredibly rewarding) admissions process, I was honored to be accepted to dMBA programs from Berkeley Haas, Columbia Business School, Northwestern Kellogg, and my alma mater, BU Questrom. I’ve decided to commit to Kellogg, where I plan to matriculate sometime between 2026 and 2028!
I’m not claiming to be an industry insider with exclusive information about the dMBA process. Perhaps, one day, I can provide that service! However, in the meantime, I can certainly share my own experience applying to these programs. My aim is not only to assist you in your learning journey but also to gain insights from your experiences and unravel the intricacies of the application process. It’s a two-way street!
I’m excited to join you on this exciting endeavor. If there’s anything I can do to help you in the dMBA process, my inbox is open at mbaxcel.justin [at] gmail [dot] com! Feel free to send me your questions!
