MBA Application Deadlines and the Asian Disaster

I surveyed admissions staff at different schools and asked how they are responding to applicants affected by the Asian disaster who would like extensions of looming January deadlines.  Here are their responses:

Duke Fuqua -- January 3 deadline
"We are absolutely being as flexible, understanding and compassionate as
we can.  We've only heard from one applicant thus far who could not get
mail service and we've extended the deadline for him."

Harvard Business School -- January 5 deadline
"While we are sympathetic to the enormous devastation that has happened in Asia due to the earthquake and tsunami, we will not be granting extensions to the Round 2 deadline date.

"We encourage candidates to apply in Round 3, and make note in the 'additional information' section of the application as to why his/her application was delayed until Round 3.  We recognize that there is concern for international candidates that should they be admitted, there may be challenges to getting their student visa processed in time to enter next fall.  Rest assured, we will work with the candidates to make every effort possible to get them to campus should they be admitted."

Stanford GSB -- January 6 deadline

Here is the text of an e-mail Stanford sent to its prospects:

"As the catastrophic impact of the natural disaster in South Asia and East Africa unfolds, the Stanford community wishes to express our sympathy for those affected. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.

"The Stanford MBA application deadline should not distract your attention from needed efforts at this time. If you still want to apply in Round 2 and need an extension, we will give you up to three more weeks to submit your application (by January 27th). We recognize that this is a very small act in the context of the situation, but we believe that every effort to lighten the load of those impacted by this tragedy is worth considering. Stanford community members are helping with the physical relief and search efforts, and financially through support of the Red Cross; please be assured that we intend this extension as another form of support for this epic tragedy.

"Please contact us if we may be of assistance regarding your MBA application process. Our office phone number is +1.650.723.2766 and our email address is mba@gsb.stanford.edu. "

Wharton -- January 6 deadline
"We just posted on our website, that should anyone need additional time due to the recent disaster, students should petition the director (rosem@wharton.upenn.edu) to request an extension. Instead of a broad based delay in the deadline, we thought it best to grant extensions on a case-by-case basis."

Michigan -- January 7 deadline
"We have had no specific requests for extensions due to the disaster in South Asia, and therefore have not crafted a policy. However, I would consider such a request for extension."

Chicago -- January 7 deadline
"We will grant extensions to people effected by the Tsunami in South Asia, we grant extensions to people who request them prior to the application deadline, regardless of geographic location.  They can contact us directly at admissions@chicagogsb.edu for more details."

UVA Darden -- January 12 deadline
"We're more than willing to extend the deadline for applicants who were effected by the Tsunami.   They just need to contact us and we'll extend the deadline on a case-by-case basis, depending on how much time each individual needs."

UNC Kenan-Flagler -- January 13 deadline
"We don't have a formal policy for this specific situation, although we are always eager to work with applicants who find themselves in emergencies like this.  We would do everything we could to enable the applicant to make the round in which he/she was intending to apply.  We always have room to accommodate and expedite the processing of a small percentage of applications received after the deadline.  This disaster certainly would qualify. 

"We also see people with far less tragic situations that need a week or two beyond the deadline in order to complete their submission of material.  We generally accommodate them, too."

London Business School -- January 14 deadline

"If we do receive requests, then we would deal with each one on an ad-hoc basis, but would obviously be understanding and flexible for candidates affected by the disaster."

Cornell Johnson -- January 15 deadline
"We will, of course, accommodate candidates who are from South Asia.  All they need to do is send an email requesting an extension to mba@cornell.edu."

NYU Stern -- January 15 deadline
"At NYU Stern we are rolling admissions, reviewing applications as they are completed.  Our deadlines are more to help the planning of our applicants by providing clear timing of notification.  As such, anyone who has some delay in submitting their application for 1/15 will still get a timely review ahead of those submitting for our final 3/15 deadline. So being a bit late is not a major concern in our system, it just pushes back the timing slightly its not like they miss a whole round (as in other systems).

"If anyone wishes to discuss their case individually or express any concern over timing, we are more than happy to review those on a case by case basis.  The best course of action is to send an email to admchair@stern.nyu.edu."

USC Marshall -- January 15 deadline
"We will be accommodating those applicants affected by the disaster on an as needed basis.  They can email our admissions office at  MBAadmissions@marshall.usc.edu with any concerns."

MIT Sloan -- January  19 deadline
"We would handle everything on a case by case basis, and would certainly be understanding if one of our applicants were affected and asked for more time."

Haas -- January 21 deadline
"Since we have 4 rounds (the final deadline being March 4), we don't anticipate a need to make any special accomodations at this time. If a candidate in unable to meet the Round 3 deadline on January 21, they will still have the opportunity to apply in Round 4, and we hope that the
situation will have stabilized by that time.

"If any candidates from Southeast Asia have specific concerns, they are always welcome to contact our office through our web board at http://207.234.227.210/unchaas/ or by phone at (510)642-1405."

If and when I receive additional responses, I will add the additional information to this post. If you know of other schools' response to the disaster, please let me know.

Comments

[Camille]

R2 at HBS is actually 1/5/05. Not 1/6.

[Linda Abraham]

Thanks for catching that. I fixed it.