If you switch jobs in the midst of your process of applying to business school, do you need to tell the admissions office about it?
We started this topic about updating the adcom about changes to your profile and status and this case is an important one to discuss more in-depth.
If you change jobs, that’s a material change to your candidacy. Technically, yes, the admissions office is supposed to get updated on material facts like this.
But does that mean you HAVE to?
Because yeah, it does look a little off, doesn’t it?
You just applied to business school and you’re hoping to start that MBA program in the Fall. Most people quit their jobs in like May or June so that they can do some travel or fun stuff before beginning in August or early September.
Here it is, the beginning of the year, and you’re planning on leaving whatever this new position is, within just a few months?
The obvious question then is: Did you tell this new company that you have active MBA applications?
The adcom may wonder.
It’s not like you need to spill the beans on the whole deets of your situation if you tell the admissions folks that you’ve taken a new job. But, yeah, it can look somewhat sketchy on the ethics side. Right?
Obviously you need to absolutely do what’s right for you and your career, and it would be foolish to assume that your apps will be accepted. If you got this plum new opportunity that puts your career on a new trajectory, that you’re excited about, that would take you to a new level if you don’t get into bschool then it makes sense you would accept it, active apps or not. Because there are no guarantees. You need to look out for yourself.
The timing of when you convey this information is under your control. Some applicants choose to go by a need-to-know communication strategy — meaning, if they get invited to interview, then that indicates the adcom is interested in them, and so that means that yeah, the adcom needs to know about this change. So they sit on the update until the time comes that it needs to be shared, and they communicate it then. We don’t suggest holding it till the interview and then casually dropping it into the conversation. We typically would recommend the more proactive stance. To handle it any other way can make you seem cagey, and that’s not a good look for a BSer.
Just keep in mind that the adcom does expect to be kept informed. Here’s what NYU Stern has to say about this, from an interview FAQ that we found from them:
A: If you have new information to share with the Admissions Committee (e.g. updated resume, etc.) please submit it to your interviewer and also upload it on your application status page. Keep in mind that if there has been a significant change to your application (e.g., new employer, no longer working, etc.) you are required to update the Admissions Committee.
As always, if you have questions on your specific situation, hit us up! We’re here to help you navigate this crazy phase of waiting for answers while trying to live your best life. It’s complicated!!
We hope you’re soon in the position of preparing for an upcoming interview!
Tell us what you think.