Yale SOM 2018-2019 MBA Deadlines

Yale University’s School of Management

Yale University’s School of Management yesterday (June 1) moved up its round one MBA application deadline by a day to Sept. 12 for the Class of 2021. The school also decided to retain its single 500-word essay question from last year.

For candidates who make the early deadline, SOM promises to notify applicants who get interviewed of their admit or deny decisions by Dec. 5. The round two deadline is Jan. 7, with decisions due April 2, while the round three and final application deadline is April 16, with notifications going out on May 21.

Yale SOM’s 2018-2019 MBA Application Deadlines

SOM Rounds Application Deadline Interviews Decisions
Round One September 12, 2018 Mid-Sept. to Early-Dec. December 5, 2018
Round Two January 7, 2019 Mid-Jan. to Late-March April 2, 2019
Round Three April 16, 2019 Mid-April to Mid-May May 21, 2019

As part of the school’s application, candidates are expected to answer a trio of questions on video, each requiring a 60-to-90 second response in front of their computer cameras. For the first and third question, applicants are given 20 seconds to think about their response and then 60 seconds to answer. For the second question, candidates are allowed 30 seconds to think about their response and then 90 seconds to answer.

The first question is an open-ended introductory prompt about the candidate. The second is a ‘behavorial’ question that asks how an applicant handled a certain professional situation, and finally, SOM tosses in a ‘thought’ question that offers a statement and asks the applicant if he or she agrees or disagrees with it and why.

Unlike Harvard or a few other peer business schools, Yale does not set a specific date for sending out interview invites to candidates who get through the application and video questions. At SOM, interviews are granted by invitation only and can be extended at any point during an admissions round, even as late as the decision deadline for a round.

ONLINE APPLICATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY JULY

In a blog post, Assistant Dean for Admissions Bruce DelMonico said he is sticking with last year’s solo essay prompt: “Describe the biggest commitment you have ever made.”

The question evolved from a conversation with Amy Wrzesniewki, an SOM professor of organizational behavior, about how to get a better sense for what the school’s applicants care about in the world. DelMonico quoted the professor saying, “Reading about future plans is helpful, but actions speak louder than words. What big commitments have applicants already made in their lives to date, how did they follow through on them, and what does this tell us about who they are? That is what is at the heart of this question.”

DelMonico said that the online application will be available in early July. The school plans to provide further updates as that date draws closer.

SOM RECEIVED 4,098 APPLICATIONS FOR 348 CLASSROOM SEATS

During the 2016-2017 admissions cycle, the school received 4,098 applications, an 11.2% jump over the previous year. In the process, the school enrolled 348 students, up 14 over the Class of 2018. To put the class size in context, the program featured just 228 students in Dean Ted Snyder’s first year, a further indication of the program’s surge in popularity since he arrived. In fact, Yale SOM receives 11.8 applications for every open seat, making it harder to get into the program than fellow Ivies like Harvard, Columbia, and Wharton. Even more, the program accepted just 17.3% of applications this time around, meaning the program is more exclusive than either Wharton or Chicago Booth.

Last year’s class also boasted a 727 GMAT average – a record for the school and a number that eclipses peer programs like Berkeley Haas, MIT Sloan, and Columbia. At the same time, the class’ 730 median average ties it with Harvard’s incoming class. The range of GMAT scores went from a low of 690 to a high of 760. Along with a two-point rise in average GMATs, Yale also experienced a bump in GPA averages, going from 3.63 to 3.67. GPAs ranged from 3.38 to 3.94.

Overall, 20% of the class took the GRE, tying it with Michigan Ross and Notre Dame Mendoza on the high side. The median GRE verbal score was 166, with a middle-80% range of 157 to 170. The median GRE quant score was 164, with a mid-80% rnage of 160 to 169. The largest feeder schools to Yale SOM were found in the Ivy League: Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and Princeton. USC also ranked among the top five American feeders. Another distinguishing feature of the class is its education level. Nearly a fifth of the 2019 Class held graduate degrees, with another 13% pursuing dual graduate degrees.

ADVICE FROM RECENT SOM GRADUATES & CURRENT STUDENTS:

“Don’t focus too much on the numbers. Yes, test scores and GPA—that’s all important, but it’s not your whole application. I was (and still am) a pretty mediocre test taker, and I was obsessed with my GMAT score. After multiple attempts to raise my score, I finally decided to focus on other parts of my application, especially the parts that were still in my control—the essay and short answers. We have a website that lists so many students (Admissions Ambassadors) who signed up to talk to prospective students and tell them more about our amazing school. Take advantage of that and think about what you bring to the school, the opportunities SOM will provide for you, and, together, the remarkable amount of impact you will achieve.” — Christine Chen, Class of 2018 SOM graduate now working for Deloitte Consulting as a senior consultant in human capital

“At SOM, we strive to help those around us and that come after us, while maintaining a sense of true community. The people you meet here are your friends and your network, not your competition. Think deeply about the value that you can bring to those around you, as well as what you hope to take away from your time here. Be intentional in the way that you plan this experience by taking enthusiastic responsibility for creating what you wish to see.” — Heather A. Harrison, Class of 2018 SOM graduate now working as an associate in McKinsey & Co.’s Stamford, CT, office

“BE. YOUR. SELF. The SOM community is a truly authentic one. I’ve never been in a quasi-personal/quasi-professional environment where I have so naturally been able to live my truth, and I think that SOM students, staff and faculty are able to sniff out inauthenticity, and just want you to thrive as you. Remove the, “Oh, well I should say this to get into b-school.” No! Get rid of the person you should be and focus on the person you want to be.” — Billy Marks, Class of 2018 SOM graduate

“The generic (but very true) advice is be yourself. If you try to be who you think the admissions office “wants you to be,” you’ll sound like every other applicant. So be yourself. Trust me, you’ll be much more interesting. The practical piece of advice is, if at all possible, get former MBAs to look at your resume. My first week at business school taught me that I had no idea how to write a proper resume. Thank goodness Yale Admissions was able to see the value in the mediocrity, because I did a terrible job of highlighting it for them.” — Hosanna Odhner, Class of 2018 SOM graduate now working for Medtronic in Boston

DON’T MISS: 2018-2019 MBA APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR LEADING BUSINESS SCHOOLS or FREE 86-PAGE MBA INSIDER’S GUIDE TO YALE SOM

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.