Defeating Application Procrastination | Deferred MBA Weekly Check-In: January 2, 2024
This could be the year that changes your life! Not to be dramatic or anything.
Happy New Year! The fate of your deferred MBA future is in your hands, so work hard and know that you’ve got this weekly newsletter to keep you pushing forward! Let’s get to it.
On Your Radar
Let’s take a look at some deferred MBA admissions events coming up.
If you haven’t already, check out HBS Peek! See last week’s check-in for details.
Chicago Booth: Booth Student-Hosted Event: Karaoke Night in Chicago (In-Person)
When: Sunday, January 7, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Sakura Karaoke Bar, 234 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616
Description: “Join current Booth students, Wayne and Jessie, for a fun evening of karaoke in Chicago! In addition to showing off your karaoke skills, you'll have the opportunity to hear more about their Booth experiences. They are so excited to meet you!”
Berkeley Haas: Accelerated Access Info Session: Berkeley Haas Deferred MBA
When: Tuesday, January 9, 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM PST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Curious about Accelerated Access, the deferred admission application pathway to Berkeley Haas's top rated full-time MBA program? In this session, you'll learn about the value of an MBA, what makes Berkeley Haas special, and what we look for in outstanding candidates to the program.”
UVA Darden: Take a Turn as AdCom: The Future Year Scholars Application Review Process
When: Tuesday, January 9, 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Application workshops are virtual events hosted by a member of the Admissions Committee. Connect with fellow prospective students through these interactive sessions, and gain insights into specific components of the application in these themed workshops.”
Harvard (HBS): 2+2 Program Information Session
When: Wednesday, January 10, 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Calling all college students! This virtual information session, hosted by a member of the MBA Admissions Team, will outline the enriching journey of the HBS MBA program, the admissions process, and financial aid.”
Chicago Booth: Zoom in on Booth: Chicago Booth Scholars
When: Wednesday, January 24, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM CST
Where: Virtual
Description: “This Zoom in on Booth Scholars Information Session is an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn about deferred MBA admissions and the application process for the Chicago Booth Scholars Program.”
Columbia Business School (CBS): Virtual Deferred Enrollment Program Information Session
When: Monday, January 29, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Virtual
Description: “Interested in the Deferred Enrollment Program? Register for this webinar to hear from CBS admissions about the program and our application process.”
All times displayed are local to the respective institutions.
Have trouble keeping track?
I compiled links for admissions events at many of the top dMBA programs. Click here to access it and bookmark it for later! If you haven’t already, I’d recommend subscribing to these schools’ admissions email lists and keeping tabs on their event calendars regularly!
Have an event that’s not on the list?
Leave a comment and share it with the community!
MBAxcel Tip of the Week: Do the easy stuff first.
I get it. It’s winter recess. No one wants to be working during the holidays.
During my deferred MBA application season, I remember spending both winter and spring breaks thinking about my applications, but not actually doing much about them. I’m a horrible procrastinator—perhaps you are too.
But you don’t have to live like that! Put one foot in front of the other.
If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or tired, do the easy stuff first. Pick something on the list of requirements you have to tackle first, and get that box ticked off.
Many of these deferred MBA applications are bloated with demographic questions and additional prompts. Fill these out first!
It’s actually a great idea to get all this mindless work out of the way early. You don’t want to be shuffling to find your father’s graduation year or the month you started your high school lifeguard job when it’s 11:55 PM on deadline day.
Check it off.
Checklists are some of the greatest productivity tools you can use to get more productive. Two takeaways here:
Consider writing down the tasks you need to complete in checklist format to maximize productivity.
If you really don’t feel like it or if checklists truly don’t work for you, take time to acknowledge what you have accomplished.
In my opinion, there’s no better feeling than checking off a to-do list. You can do the same with your dMBA application. Check off the easy stuff, and soon you’ll be building momentum to hit the ground running with essays, exams, and even interview prep later on.
Put one foot forward. That’s all you should ask of yourself. Lay the groundwork for success with little victories (such as filling out the Education section on your application), and the rewards will follow.
Postscript.
The 2024 deferred MBA application deadline is in just over three months. Let’s kick this year off with a bang and power through to the finish line!
Feeling stuck? Leave a comment here or send me an email! I’d love to hear from you.
Take care and see you next Monday.