On April 7, 2005, Business Week published an article entitled, “MBA Applicants Are MIA: As tuition soars and the job market strengthens, some B-schools are downsizing — and all are getting less selective.” We, at MBA Mission, were somewhat dismissive of this article, suggesting that everything comes and goes in cycles and that MBAs will once again return with a vengeance.
Well, now, Business Week is singing a different tune. In article published yesterday evening, Business Week is delaring: “MBA Applications Surge: Demand for admission to U.S. graduate business schools remains strong, and the large number of applicants is entering what some say is the most competitive pool in recent years.” Indeed, with a strong job market for those coming out of MBA programs and a jittery stock market currently, which is causing some to consider seeking refuge in business school for a few years, applications are up and competition is more fierce than ever. Of course, this too shall pass — could Business Week’s article be a contrarian harbinger of change once again?