Applying at UF MBA amid COVID-19

A Q&A with Director of Admissions Naz Erenguc

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, much has changed, and confusion has become the standard for many things we once considered straightforward. In an effort to help ease any confusion you might be feeling around applying for a UF MBA during this uncertain time, we spoke with Director of Admissions Naz Erenguc about the questions she and the UF MBA Admissions team have been receiving the most. Read on for Naz’s responses to your top questions below.

Q: Can I still apply?  

Erenguc: “Yes! We’re still accepting applications and are operating on a normal start date schedule.”

Q: Have application deadlines been adjusted?

Erenguc: “Yes, in order to accommodate the strain that has been put on applicants due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve extended our application deadlines to one month prior to the start of our summer and fall 2020 programs. Keep in mind if you are an international applicant you will want to consider applying for our 2021 intake (our Full-Time international applicant deadline for 2021 is set for October 15, 2020).”

Q: If I’m accepted into the UF MBA program, will my start date change?  

Erenguc: “No, start dates for newly admitted students haven’t been postponed and are operating on a normal schedule. Click on the program you’re interested in on our program formats page to see the start date.”

Q: If I’m applying to the UF MBA Full-Time program, will I still come to campus for classes?

Erenguc: “Students in our Full-Time MBA program will begin their classes online for now. We’re monitoring the situation very closely, and we’ll get students back on campus as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Q: If I’m in the Full-Time UF MBA program, will my curriculum be the same as the UF MBA Online program?

Erenguc: “No, students in the Full-Time program will have a structure that is very similar to what they would have experienced on campus. We haven’t made any changes to the curriculum of our Full-Time program. The only difference is that Full-Time students will be watching courses and completing work online.”

Q: Do I still have to take the GMAT or GRE to apply?

Erenguc: “Depending on the program you’re applying to, you may have to take the GMAT or GRE. Those applying to our Executive MBA program are exempt from submitting a GMAT or GRE score with their application, as we recognize that these students have years of professional experience behind them, and when reviewing their applications, we consider their leadership experience, skills, certifications and contributions to their field.

Those interested in our Full-Time, Online or Weekend Professional programs are required to submit a GMAT or GRE score with their application.* As of April 20, both the GMAT and GRE will both be available to take online, so you don’t need to worry about leaving your home to take the test.”

* Weekend Professional or Online MBA applicants who have a graduate or terminal degree from a U.S., regionally accredited school are eligible for a test waiver. We do not offer test waivers to applicants whose highest degree is a bachelor’s.

Q: How can I take the GMAT or GRE safely during this time?

Erenguc: “You can still practice social distancing and take the GMAT or GRE. The GRE is currently available to take online. If you’d prefer to take the GMAT, it will be available online starting April 20.”

Q: If I’m applying and have S/U grades on my transcript, will this hurt my application?

Erenguc: “We know that S/U options are currently being used at other institutions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, if you have S/U grades on your transcript, it’s not going to harm your chances of being accepted. Viewing your application and academic record holistically is something that’s always been important to us at UF MBA, and now is not any different.”

Q: What if I registered for an upcoming event that was supposed to happen in-person? Is the event still happening?

Erenguc: “We’ve done our best to move all of our previously scheduled events online in order to protect you and our team. Here’s a quick guide to all of the changes we’ve made. If your event isn’t listed, please feel free to reach out to our team.”

• Poets & Quants Centre Court MBA Festival International – April 28-29 – Learn more about participating in the virtual event here.
• Executive MBA Open House – May 30 – Register for the virtual event here.
• GMAT Boot Camp – We’re currently working on moving our in-person event online. Check here for updates.
• Admitted Student Virtual Series – ongoing – Students who have been admitted will have a chance to meet their classmates during virtual happy hours and other online orientation activities.

Q: What if we have to continue practicing social distancing into the fall semester?

Erenguc: “I know this wouldn’t be an ideal situation, but should we need to extend social distancing measures for your safety, we’ll continue courses online. I know this doesn’t make up for you losing out on the in-person experience you chose, but know that you’ll still receive a transformational educational experience. Our Online MBA program has long been recognized as one of the best and most established programs in the nation. In fact, we’ve been ranked among the top 5 Online MBA programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for eight consecutive years, so know that delivering a high-quality MBA experience without physical contact is something that we do well, and have done so for a long time.”

Q: Are you still available to help me during the application process?

Erenguc: “Yes! The team is staying safe by working from home, and are all still reachable for any questions you have. You can reach us via email at floridamba@warrington.ufl.edu or by phone at 352-392-7992.

Q: Can I defer my admission?

Erenguc: “If you’re thinking about deferring your admission, please give me a call and we can come up with a plan to address your needs and situation.”