The market for graduate management education is constantly evolving, and with it, application volume to MBA programs changes too. To keep up, the Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) surveys business schools each August to get a feel for emerging trends.
Our most recent data suggests application volume is on the rise for the majority of programs surveyed, which include full-time, part-time, and executive programs around the world.
So who's applying?
Applications from all subgroups have increased somewhat over the previous year. However, approximately one-half of all programs surveyed reported that applications from women are on the rise. Full-time programs also reported a much higher turnout from international students and younger students directly out of their undergraduate programs.
Quantity versus Quality
Though some might wonder if the quality of applicants has been negatively affected by these changes, the answer is clearly “no.” In fact, in 2006, many schools considered the applicant pool for the majority of full-time programs and about one-half of part-time programs to be more qualified than the year before.
But don’t despair. In response to this increase, some, particularly among part-time programs, have opted to increase their class sizes to accommodate more students.
Quick Facts
The annual GMAC Application Trends Survey asks business schools about the volume of applications they have received in the current year, compared to the previous year. Respondents provide data about the year-to-year percentage change in applications, not the actual number that they have received. In 2006, we surveyed 230 MBA programs from 147 schools.
Here’s how the change in application volume from 2005 to 2006 breaks down for different types of business school programs:
Full-time programs:
• 65% have received more applications than last year
• 24% have received fewer applications
• 11% have seen no change
Part-time programs:
• 62% have received more applications than last year
• 24% have received fewer applications
• 14% have seen no change
Executive MBA programs:
• 69% have received more applications than last year
• 23% have received fewer applications
• 8% have seen no change
Want to Know More
To read Application Trends Survey 2006 in its entirety, click here.
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