Advice from the Senior Assistant Dean: Now is the Time for Business School
The following blog post was written by Rebekah Lewin, senior assistant dean of admissions and programs

Deciding to pursue an MBA or MS degree is a big decision. Even if you are content with your current job, don’t underestimate the power a graduate business degree has to transform your career and propel you to the next level. At Simon Business School, you’ll discover how to use data to inform decision-making and effectively communicate insights that drive strategy.
Here are a few additional reasons not to put off your graduate degree any longer:
Merit-based scholarship is available.
Scholarship ranges vary based on your program of interest, but support is always available for competitive candidates. More than 85% of our full-time MBA students receive scholarships. Part-time students typically receive smaller awards since they are continuing to work while pursuing their degree, and several are sponsored by their employer or receive tuition benefits from the University of Rochester. There are many avenues to consider when financing your degree, including competing for a scholarship to our new Online MS in Business Analytics for Managers program by participating in Simon’s Data-Driven Leaders Scholarship Competition. Register now through April 29!
You can choose to waive or complete the standardized test requirement.
If your academic record, work experience, or other credentials are well rounded and competitive, Simon offers the flexibility to waive the standardized test application requirement. (If you’ve taken a test and have a score within or above the middle 80% range noted in the class profile for your program of interest, we encourage you to include the score with your application to support your candidacy.) Learn more about the standardized test waiver criteria on our website, and contact us with any questions you have.
It’s worth noting that not all programs include a standardized test requirement in the application, and if you’re interested in the Professional MBA, choosing the non-matriculated start is a popular way to not only get your feet wet in the program but also to opt out of submitting a test score.
You’ll join a powerful network.
One of the reasons our MBA and MS students are so successful is because of Simon alumni: more than 18,000 strong in 80 countries around the world. Our alumni are eager to help one another and jump at the chance to offer support both remotely and in person.
Earn a STEM-designated degree.
All Simon MBA formats (full-time, part-time, and executive) have a STEM-designated option and all four full-time MS programs are STEM designated—sending a strong signal to employers that you have the quantitative and analytic skills necessary to contribute or manage in a world that increasingly depends on data to drive business decisions. Furthermore, international students who opt for a STEM-designated MBA or are enrolled in a full-time MS program qualify for three years of post-degree employment in the United States while remaining on a student visa.
Interested in taking the next step in the application process? The next application deadline for our full-time MBA and MS programs is May 1, but we encourage you to apply as soon as you have assembled your best application to maximize your chance for admission to begin your studies in Fall 2022. Merit-based scholarship support is always available for competitive candidates, and if you apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 1, your application fee (a $90 value) will be waived!
If you’re interested in our part-time or executive programs, contact the Admissions team for information about the application and admissions process—the next application deadline for Fall 2022 entry is April 15, so there is still time to work on your application.
You can also stay up to date on what’s happening at Simon by following us on social media, listening to a podcast, attending a webinar, and more. Check out our website for more details.
We wish you all the best as you prepare for business school and hope to review your application soon!