MBA Admissions: Should You Apply Round 3?
The first two weeks of January pass in a blur of deadlines. At most business schools, these critical dates are followed by at least one later deadline. The schools almost all acknowledge that chances of acceptance at these later deadlines are lower. That information frequently prompts the following question in my inbox, my BW thread, and the Accepted Forums:
"Should I apply now?"
If you belong to the following groups, I advise you not to apply now.
- You do not have a clear post-MBA goal and competitive stats, experience, and community service. In other words, you're not really ready.
- Your target schools are not reapplicant friendly?
- You are not a US permanent resident and you anticipate visa issues or problems if accepted by the later notification dates.
- You are a card-carrying member of an over-represented group.
However, you should apply during the third or later rounds if you are among those who:
- Just missed the round 2 deadlines due to circumstances beyond your control, but have your GMAT and a clear idea of where you want to apply and why you want an MBA.
- Are a non-traditional applicant or member of an under-represented group or have diversity elements in your profile.
- Prefer to have now a slight chance of acceptance over no chance, which is what you will have if you don't apply.
A third round application has the following advantages over waiting until Round 1 next fall:
- You have a chance of acceptance this year, even if it isn't as good as it would be earlier in the application cycle.
- Some programs give feedback so that you will be better prepared for a Round 1 2009 application. (Don't apply just to obtain feedback, but the opportunity to receive feedback could applying educational and worthwhile, even if you are rejected.)
The main disadvantage: The cost and time required to apply.
More resources on applying "late":
If you want help with your third round MBA application or advice on when to apply, please consider our MBA admissions consulting and editing.
Linda Abraham
in MBA Admissions, MBA Waitlist
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