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Visit the GMAC Interactive Research page or the GMAC Research Library to access more Application Trend Survey reports, including exclusives for GMAT using and GMAC Member schools.

Check the GMAC Research Calendar for upcoming release dates.

 

Application Trends Survey

Delve into the who, what, when, and why of applications today.

Attention Schools: Sign up for the next Application Trends Survey by May 2012

Our most recent survey results delve into the “who, what, where, and why” of applications to 650 graduate management programs for 2011–2012, analyzing trends in demand, applicant demographics, acceptance/enrollment rates, and incoming class sizes at 331 graduate business schools (pdf) worldwide.

Our Latest Report

2011 Survey Report

Highlights From Our 2011 Report

  • Master-level programs reported the most increases: 83% of finance programs, 69% of management programs, and more than half of accounting programs reporting increased volume over 2010.
  • 46% of all graduate business programs saw growth in international applications, with China and India topping the list of foreign applicants, especially for full-time MBA programs.
  • Among MBA programs, the majority reported decreased volume in 2011, but candidate quality and academic credentials are higher than last year.

2011 Application Trends Snapshot Tool

Survey Overview

Each June GMAC gathers data about application volume, expected changes in program size, and perceived applicant quality among graduate management programs for the upcoming class to a variety program types, from MBA part-time and full-time programs to master's and PhD programs in business functions. The results show a landscape view of the state of graduate management education in the coming year from a program application perspective.

A shorter Preliminary Application Trends study also goes out each February. Due to the preliminary nature of that data for programs that begin in the late summer, results from the Preliminary Application Trends Survey are distributed only to participants. Schools that participate look to the preliminary survey not only for early data on applications to classes starting late summer but also for end-of-cycle results for programs starting in January.

School Benefits of Participation: Free Online Tools

Participating schools receive the following exclusives:

  • A Comprehensive Interactive Data Report. The interactive report contains detailed graphs and analysis of survey responses by program type and length, world region, school location, class size, and more.
  • Instant benchmark statistics. The free GMAC benchmark report tool gives participants the power to select and instantly generate benchmark reports for up to five peer groups of their choosing per program type submitted. See a demo now.
  • Early release of our public survey reports.

Who Uses Survey Results?

Business schools use the Application Trends Survey results to

  • Gauge market trends
  • Benchmark against other schools
  • Develop strategies, share results, and justify resources 

See our About the Survey page for participation details and survey timelines, and click here to read about our survey methodology (pdf).

Questions? Contact Us

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