Experts caution that it is unwise to try to rush through the admissions process and suggest that anyone who hopes to get into a top MBA program should start working toward that goal as soon as possible.
On top of what is undoubtedly a busy schedule for you, applying to business school can feel like a full-time job. Please carefully read this article if you want to learn how to create an application timeline for an MBA.
Why Do MBA Programs Have Several Rounds
The majority of business schools have three rounds of admissions (some, notably Harvard and Columbia, have only two.) There are two objectives for these rounds:
- In case you are rejected in round one from your top choice program, applying in multiple rounds gives you, the applicant, the chance to broaden the kinds and numbers of programs you can apply to.
- Programs are able to review applicants more thoroughly thanks to these rounds than they otherwise could have done with a flood of applications.
As a general rule, you ought to apply to your top choices in the earlier rounds and your safer bets in the latter rounds.
MBA Application Rounds
Round 1
For almost all MBA programs, round one results in the highest likelihood of acceptance. Because Round 1 typically receives the fewest applications because many applicants fail to put their affairs in order in time, acceptance rates naturally skew higher in a smaller applicant pool.
The best candidates are frequently those who are prepared to apply by the earliest deadline, though this is not always the case.
Though there will be stiff competition in round 1, if you are prepared with your materials and are happy with your GMAT results, you should apply to your top programs in the first round.
There are a variety of first-round MBA application deadlines for prestigious programs, but they generally start on September 4 (Harvard) and end in early October.
Round 2
Round 2 typically receives the largest group of applications for programs with 2 or 3 rounds. Because of this, your chances of being accepted statistically are lower than they would be in Round 1 but don’t place too much weight on statistics.
The amount of extra time you have between rounds 1 and 2 can do wonders for the caliber of your application, and if waiting for the second round rather than rushing to meet the first round results in a noticeably better application, it is in your best interest to do so.
The need for additional application essay revision and unsatisfactory GMAT scores are two common justifications for delaying round 1 until round 2. These two elements provide strong justification for submitting an application in Round 2.
Deadlines for Round 2 range from October to January, with the majority of programs falling right after the new year.
Round 3
The third round is a hard sell. Most acceptances for top-10 programs go to applicants who applied in rounds 1 and 2. Round 3 applicants for lower ranked programs who weren’t selected in earlier rounds for top programs arrive in droves. Your chance of being accepted to an MBA program is, in any case, the lowest if you apply in the third round.
Programs may advise you to wait to apply until round 3 if you’re a current college senior applying to 2-for-2 programs or MBAs straight out of the gate so your college transcript is more thoroughly fleshed out.
But if you’re a professional applying to business school (as most MBA applicants are), waiting until the final round of admissions should be reserved for last-ditch efforts.
There are many different Round 3 deadlines. Although round 3 deadlines for the vast majority of programs fall in late March and early April, some programs (like NYU and Duke) have round 3 deadlines in January.
It’s important to keep in mind that most programs with earlier round 3 deadlines also offer a round 4 deadline in February or March.
As with 3-round programs, our recommendation for 4-round programs is the same: apply to your top-choice schools in the earliest possible rounds and work your way down your preference list in chronological order.
MBA Application Timeline
The Summer Before The Application Cycle Starts
Step 1: Gmat
It’s generally advised that you take the GMAT at least two months before the application deadline for a particular round so that the program can receive your test results.
But if you want to apply in round 1, you should take the GMAT even earlier—during the summer before your application cycle—in order to determine your best options in terms of school rankings.
Study, test, and give yourself enough time to retest in case your initial attempt is unsuccessful.
Step 2: Learn About The Program
The summer before the application cycle begins is a fantastic time to narrow down your list of programs and learn more about their offerings, cultures, and ways you can grow while there, presuming you’ve already decided to apply to MBA programs and your GMAT went as expected.
Make plans to visit the campus if you can. Campus visits give you a wealth of information about everything a program has to offer that far exceeds what you can find on a program’s website.
While there, work with the admissions office to see if you can observe classes, mingle with other students, or speak with an admissions representative about the program.
The more you understand the curriculum and can demonstrate this understanding in your application essays, the more seriously the MBA admissions committee will take your application.
Readers want to think that their program is your top choice, and the best way to convey this is to be extremely knowledgeable about the benefits of their MBA program and the ways in which you can contribute to campus life.
Step 3: Tap Into Your Network
In order to find out more, use your professional network to see if anyone you know might have attended that program. Make use of them as a resource to learn more and to get any advice on applications they may have.
It can be very persuasive to argue that a program is appropriate for your professional trajectory if you are aware of the potential impact of the alumni network.
Step 4: Identify Recommenders
Most MBA programs demand two to three letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with you and your work.
These recommendations will most likely come from your immediate supervisors, but you may also be able to select one of the three from among people from your previous employers, institutions of higher learning, volunteer organizations, or even clients for whom you have performed exceptionally well.
Choose someone you want to recommend and get back in touch with them over the summer. ask if they would feel comfortable providing a “strong letter of recommendation.”
If they appear uncertain, just say “thank you” and move on to the next person. Instead of having a weak LOR and lowered admissions chances, it is preferable to endure that small rejection.
Step 5: Ready Your Resume
Every MBA application revolves around the resume, which also serves as the only element that unites all of the different programs. Your resume serves as a shining beacon that directs your applications, whereas your essays will vary depending on the application. Start on that well in advance so that you can concentrate your fall efforts on the applications themselves.
Application Season
Step 6: Get Organized
It’s time to get organized now that the deadlines are approaching. What are your top three programs? Create a plan. Which three options are the safest? Plan to apply to your top schools in Round 1 and, if necessary, your lower choice programs in later rounds. Make a to-do list that includes the essay questions from your top schools and begin working on your responses.
Step 7: Career Goals Essay
Almost all MBA applications require a “career goals essay,” which is a standard component.” Almost every program requires one of these essays in some shape or form. Take on your “goals essay” early so you have time to modify it for various programs. To ace, this crucial part of your application, review our in-depth career goals essay guide.
Step 8: Essay Packets
Every application will request a number of shorter, more focused essays in addition to the “goals essay.” Short-answer questions, essays about campus life, essays about failure, etc. After you have finished writing your goals essay and resume, start answering the specific application questions for your top-choice schools.
Step 9: Apply
Put everything together, send the transcripts, double-check the recommendations, and then click the send button.
Step 10: Prepare For Your Interviews
On an invitation-only basis, most programs conduct interviews. You will be one of the 20–40% of applicants who receive an invitation to an interview if they found your application to be compelling enough. This is the last barrier to getting into the school of your choice.
All that’s left to do is wait after completing these steps. Do not be alarmed if your Round 1 applications are declined. To meet the deadlines for the second and third rounds, repeat this procedure for your lower-ranked programs.
Last-minute MBA Applications
Even though we suggest getting a head start on your MBA applications, if you’re a working professional, time is frequently not on your side. If it’s the fall and you’ve just made up your mind to apply to business schools, you can simplify the ten steps listed above for your shortened timeline. Continue to aim for round two, which is January.
Prioritize:
- Resume—ace by the end of November
- GMAT—you’ll need to have taken this and earned a score you’re happy with by the first week of December
- Career Goals Essay—finish this by mid-December
- Program-specific Essays—get through these by the New Year
Conclusions
You need a clear plan for how to approach the various aspects of this application process, from writing the essays to ace the GMAT. Whether you’re applying to one, three, or ten business schools, stick to this schedule for effective preparation and to make sure everything is done in the right order.
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