Still Thinking About an MBA? It’s Not Too Late to Apply to the Tepper School
By Leah Schmidt
If you’ve been thinking about pursuing your MBA but feel like you missed the window—think again. As emphasized in a recent Clear Admit webinar featuring first-year MBA students from Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business, it’s absolutely not too late to apply for Fall 2025.
Sam Lin, Olivia Demkowicz, and Jake Rafalson, all current Tepper School MBA students, shared their stories of applying later in the cycle—and how it paid off. Rafalson, a U.S. Army veteran, put it powerfully: “I disarmed bombs for a living, and I was still nervous about applying. Don’t count yourself out. You miss every shot you don’t take.”
Lin, now Student Admissions Chair, applied in Round 4 and has been vocal about breaking the myth that late applicants are at a disadvantage. “Life doesn’t happen in neat stages,” he said. “You might be coming to business school for entirely different reasons and on a different timeline—that’s okay. The Tepper School was designed with that flexibility in mind.”
Demkowicz shared similar concerns—worries about scholarships, housing, and adjustment—but found those fears quickly eased once she took the leap. “Everything worked out—from financial aid to getting settled. When the pre-work started in June, I jumped in right alongside everyone else.”
One major hurdle for many last-minute applicants is standardized testing. But the Tepper School offers test waivers for qualified applicants—and the panelists confirmed that requesting one does not hurt your chances. “It’s completely neutral,” Lin assured. “If you’ve got a solid academic or professional record, talk to admissions about whether a waiver makes sense for you.”
The Tepper School continues to stand out for its strong ties to the tech and consulting sectors, as well as its analytics-driven curriculum. “We’re going to Google, Meta, Deloitte, Blue Origin,” Lin noted. “The career paths are global and diverse.” The school's tailored career services and expansive alumni network only add to the value.
Most importantly, the students emphasized authenticity. “Be honest about your goals,” Lin said. “And be clear on how the Tepper School fits into your journey.” Demkowicz added, “Don’t try to be who you think they want. Be yourself—that’s who they’re looking for.”
Round 4 applications for the Tepper School's full-time and online hybrid MBA are due on May 5; online hybrid MBA has one additional, final deadline on June 9.