My MBA Career: Discover Yale SOMs Record-High Acceptance Rate in 2023

Last Updated on September 20, 2023 by Robert C. Hoopes

Yale School of Management (SOM) has recently faced a decline in MBA applications for the 2022-2023 cycle, in line with other top business schools. To counter this trend, the school decided to take a bold step by increasing its acceptance rate to 33% for the MBA Class of 2025, marking the highest rate in the institution’s history.

This increase in acceptance rate was primarily achieved by enrolling fewer students and admitting 119 more applicants, which represented a significant 13.3% increase. However, despite these efforts, Yale SOM experienced a decrease in its yield, the percentage of admitted students who ultimately chose to enroll, dropping from 39% to 33%.

While the average GMAT score for the MBA Class of 2025 remained steady at 723, there was a slight drop in the median GMAT to 720. Additionally, the composition of the class underwent some changes. The number of women decreased to 40%, and underrepresented U.S. minorities also saw a decline to 18%.

On the other hand, the proportion of students with international passports increased to 50% of the class, highlighting the global diversity of the cohort. The average age of the class also saw an uptick to 28, and the average years of work experience grew to 5.1, demonstrating the candidates’ professional maturity.

One of the distinguishing features of the new MBA class at Yale SOM is its diverse range of academic backgrounds. Students hail from 199 different schools, covering a wide spectrum from engineering to the arts. The class also represents a varied set of professional experiences, with individuals coming from prominent companies such as SpaceX, Alphabet, and IBM.

Among the notable statistics for the class are the 23 veterans of the United States military and 29 Silver Scholars in their ranks. Furthermore, the undergraduate majors of the class encompass different fields, with 22% in business, 18% in economics, 25% in humanities/social science, and 35% in STEM.

Finally, the prior industries of the class exhibit the diverse career paths pursued by the students. Consulting makes up 18% of the class, followed by financial services at 24%, government at 11%, and technology at 12%. Some of the most common employers for the incoming class include the U.S. Army, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company, and Capital One.

Despite the decline in applications, Yale SOM has managed to create a dynamic and diverse MBA class, showcasing the school’s commitment to developing future business leaders across various backgrounds and industries.