Grad schools and universities around the world have changed the way they reach out to prospective Masters degree students to enable them to apply for admission despite the coronavirus pandemic.
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Check out the latest changes about Masters events and fairs, admission tests, application deadlines for the 2020 and 2021 intakes.
Take GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS at home
If you are planning to study for an international Masters degree in English, a language test such as TOEFL, IELTS, etc., is a must for admission. Business and management programmes can also require the GMAT or GRE in addition. The latter is also a stepping stone for many grad school programmes, especially in the US.
The coronavirus outbreak has caused test centres in many regions to close for safety reasons. The organisations that make the tests, however, quickly issued at-home versions of the exams. The GMAT, GRE, TOEFL and IELTS test can now be taken at home.
Meanwhile, schools have also adapted and reacted to this development. Some offer applicants the choice to either take an at-home test or submit a test score when centres reopen. Some universities assess applications based on the strength of all other information while waiting for the test results. Conditional admission has become popular during the coronavirus outbreak.
Application timeline
Masters applicants currently can take advantage of more flexible admission deadlines. Many grad schools and universities have also pushed back their decision day. In addition, application interviews are now being conducted online instead of face-to-face.
In the US, many higher education institutions accept applications through June and July on a rolling basis. Rolling admissions mean students can apply at any time after the start of the application process, and schools evaluate those applications right away.
How to find the perfect grad school fit
So, how can students find the right programme if they cannot attend university fairs or visit campuses? Currently, there is a wide range of online diverse events prospective applicants can choose from.
School-organised events
Travel and in-person activities such as on-campus information sessions, class visits, tours, and chats with students have moved online. These virtual events enable prospective Masters applicants to receive information and engage with current students, professors and admissions teams to get a feel for the schools’ life and communities.
Read: Making the Right Decision with a Campus Visit
You can choose from frequent admissions chat Q&As to online class previews and webinars and video tours of campuses. They will enable you to step into the shoes of Masters students at top schools such as Stanford (US) and London Business Schools (UK) among many others.
Read: Virtual Campus Tours? Yes, Please
Virtual One-to-One events
You can also meet grad school representatives online for free. Access Masters connects business school admissions counsellors and carefully-matched qualified prospects to meet individually on a proprietary interactive online platform integrating a variety of communication channels for face-to-face communication.
Some of the highly personalised Access MBA and Masters One-to-One events have been conducted online since 2017 alongside their worldwide tours. In fall 2020, the Access MBA and Masters Tour will be holding both online and onsite events if possible, so applicants and business schools will have a choice.
The coronavirus could have derailed applicants’ plans, but fortunately grad schools and test providers were quick to adapt. There are enough options at applicants’ disposal to continue on their path to a Masters degree.
