Mass layoffs by Twitter, Meta, Amazon, Shopify, etc. have shaken the tech industry. The question is- What do smart young people do when they are suddenly unemployed and are thinking about their future? Well, top MBA programs and business schools are betting that many casualties of the tech bloodbath will be looking to go back to school and get an MBA.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management has recently announced a test waiver for any fired techie interested in applying to its MBA program by the round-two deadline. The waiver of either the Graduate Record Exam or the Graduate Management Admission Test applies to Kellogg’s Round 2 applications for full-time and part-time programs. Round 2 applications are due January 4 for Kellogg’s Evening & Weekend program, and January 10 for its full-time programs. Kellogg is urging the high-performing talent of the tech industry to consider studying on the shores of Lake Michigan, where the school has cultivated a rich reputation from its storied history of innovation, creativity, and empathy. Casualties of recent mass layoffs and others can apply to Kellogg by providing their transcripts, resume, and application which will also include a brief essay on their work experience and most recent role as well as what they hope their transformation will be and how it will advance them. However, concerns and disapproval have been raised over the lack of fairness in Kellogg requiring the test for some and not for all applicants. Also, to be noted- Northwestern Kellogg’s move to waive exams only applies to the second round. The waiver will not be offered to those applying to Kellogg in later rounds.

MIT Sloan School of Management, like Kellogg a member of the vaunted MBA top-ranked M7 group of elite B-schools, will not waive its test requirement but plans to extend its round-two deadline for recently laid-off employees from January 18 to February 23, 2023, thereby giving applicants time to prepare for and take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and submit a quality application. MIT Sloan is saying that it is maintaining its test requirement but giving this group of people a little more time since their being laid off is something they didn’t anticipate and may change their plans.

Indiana Kelley, another top 25 ranked MBA school, is offering laid-off tech employees GMAT/GRE test waivers as well as application fee waivers — and touting an array of scholarships that are available for admitted applicants. As per Jim Holmen, director of admissions and financial aid for the Kelley full-time MBA program, “We value students from all academic and professional backgrounds, so we certainly believe those formerly employed in the tech industry have much to contribute. And thanks to our curriculum, MBA Academies, and career coaching, we have a great track record of success helping students pivot their careers, whether they are looking for a modest pivot or an extreme career change.”

To anyone that recently experienced the layoffs and has ever thought about getting an MBA or maybe trying to decide what’s next, ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting is offering a free consultation to decide if this is the right time for you to explore the business school. Register here for a profile review: https://aringo.com/mba-process-registration/