Harvard Business School Extends 2+2 Deadline By Two Months

A Harvard Business School classroom. © Natalie Keyssar for Harvard Business School

Due to the escalating COVID-19 outbreak, Harvard Business School said today (March 18) that it was pushing out the deadline for its 2+2 deferred admissions program by two months to June 1 from April 2. College seniors who apply by that date will get a decision from HBS on July 28th at noon EST.

The change was made by Chad Losee, managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid, after the school had been contacted by numerous students worried about their ability to meet the upcoming deadline. “Over the past few days, we have heard from many college seniors planning to apply to Harvard Business School through our 2+2 deferred admissions process,” wrote Losee in a blog post. “The spread of COVID-19 has upended your last year in college: teaching has gone virtual and many of you have moved and had to say goodbye on short notice. We are sincerely sorry about the disruptions to your senior year.

“In addition, we have learned that many of your recommenders are overwhelmed and academic testing centers have closed in many places around the world. In short, we understand that getting your application over the finish line is difficult with everything going on. Given these extraordinary circumstances, we have decided to move back the dates for our 2+2 deferred admissions round this year to allow you increased flexibility… We hope that these extra two months are helpful to you and allow you to focus on your senior year.”

‘NOT A DECISION MADE LIGHTLY’

Several other business schools have been extending MBA application deadlines and making other changes to its admission policies, including INSEAD and the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Ross is giving round 3 applicants a new deadline of May 29th, two months later than the original March 30th deadline. Vanderbilt University is waiving the $200 application fee for round 3 MBA applicants and temporarily accepting self-reported GMAT and GRE test scores, with official scores due upon admission. Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management is now doing all its admission interviews virtually.

Losee said the change at HBS was thoughtfully considered by the school. “This was not a decision that we made lightly—we understand that the change will be a disappointment for some who were hoping to have their final decision earlier in the summer,” he added. “We apologize to those of you for whom this change is an inconvenience. Please note that while the situation is still fluid and may change, we do not anticipate shifting the application deadline again. Please submit all your application materials by June 1, 2020, at noon Eastern. We look forward to getting to know you then.”

Last year, 9% of the 1,403 2+2 applicants were admitted to the school and 115 committed to attend two to three years in the future. Some 25% of the admitted students were international, with a median GMAT score of 730 and an an average undergraduate grade point average of 3.79. GMAT scores ranged from 590 to 790.

DON’T MISS: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 2+2