Notre Dame Launches A Deferred Admission Program For Its MBA

Stayer Center. Photo by Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business has introduced an MBA Deferred Admission Program aimed at students who see an MBA in their future but aren’t ready to enroll right away.

The program is open to college seniors and recent graduates with limited work experience. Admitted students lock in a place in the Notre Dame MBA while taking several years to gain professional experience before starting the degree.

A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR FLEXIBILITY

Mendoza’s deferred option grew out of conversations with undergraduates and early-career professionals who were interested in the MBA but wanted more time to develop their résumés.

“We had great conversations with eager, capable students who wanted to attend our MBA program but needed years more of experience,” says Claire Fitzgibbon, senior director of graduate enrollment. “This is a way for them to have security and a plan.”

Unlike some deferral programs that target students straight from undergraduate or master’s studies, Mendoza’s version is open to applicants who have already started their careers. Candidates apply with the standard MBA materials — transcripts, test scores, résumé, and evidence of a job offer or professional track. Once admitted, students also receive a scholarship estimate that will remain the same or increase depending on their future experience.

CONNECTIONS BEFORE ENROLLMENT

Students in the program stay connected to Mendoza during the deferral period. The school offers annual check-ins with the admissions team, access to professional development resources, and invitations to campus events. Mentorship opportunities and online pre-MBA learning tools are also being developed.

The timeline for enrollment is flexible, though most students will be encouraged to gain three to five years of work experience before beginning the program. “This can always shift as time goes on,” Fitzgibbon says. “We’ll be checking in to see how their career is evolving.”

Applications are open through the spring.

DON’T MISS HOW TO SECURE DEFERRED ENROLLMENT AT THE TOP MBA PROGRAMS and MEET NOTRE DAME MENDOZA’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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