Lehigh’s College of Business has announced the introduction of an Early Admit Program designed to attract ambitious college seniors and recent college graduates who are interested in securing an MBA admission decision before achieving the required two years professional work experience.
During the last application cycle, the College of Business Graduate Programs Office noted an increased demand from undergraduate seniors and recent college graduates seeking an admission decision for an MBA prior to achieving the required two years professional work experience.
“One of the most critical components of the 1-MBA experience is the ability for students in the cohort to have professional experiences that can be integrated into the classroom,” said Kevin Ezzell, 1-MBA Program Director.
“We are not taking that work requirement away, rather we are providing an avenue for highly qualified applicants, who currently lack the professional work experience to receive an admission decision based on their professional career trajectory.”
The Early Admit Program allows admitted students to meet the professional work experience requirement, then have the option to enroll in the 1-MBA program immediately or defer enrollment to a future term that fits better with their professional and personal lives.
Additionally, the Early Admit Program is designed to enable opportunities for current cohort students to engage with admitted applicants while those applicants are pursuing the professional work experience needed to enroll.
“The College of Business envisions a life-long relationship with our MBA students, so this makes sense for the 1-MBA program, as it is just starting the relationship about two years earlier,” said Oliver Yao, associate dean for Graduate Programs.
The program envisions admitted applicants having optional engagements on campus to better acclimate them to Lehigh prior to arrival. Admitted students can receive more long term guidance on the preparation needed to be successful in their MBA, while engaging with the university prior to enrollment.
To apply, applicants must submit the 1-MBA application, essay, resume, GMAT or GRE scores, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and have an admissions interview (in person or virtual). Lehigh will waive the application fee for this admission program, as that removes a barrier for applicants who may not have income at this point in their young career. Additional application items may be required for international applicants.
The deadline to apply annually for the 1-MBA Early Admit Program for College Seniors and Recent College Graduates is May 1. Applicants are notified of an admission decision by May 31 annually or sooner, depending on when each applicant applied during the year. For additional information, contact Ezzell, 1-MBA program director at business@lehigh.edu or call us at 610-758-4450. To apply, go here.
