You might wonder whether there’s a difference in acceptance rates between Round 1 and Round 2. The short answer is no. Here’s why Round 1 and Round 2 acceptance rates are usually very similar.
One of my responsibilities as a former admissions dean and director was to estimate how many admissions offers I could make, given the dean’s enrollment target and the projected number of applications we would receive. These projections are typically accurate and based on several factors, such as the number of GMAT/GRE reports sent to the school, the overall number of test takers, and the number of year-to-date inquiries. With this information, a director instructs their admissions team to invite a percentage of applicants to interview (or, in the case of open interviews, advises their team to extend offers to a percentage of the pool).
When admissions teams make offers in Round 2, they use the same percentage as for Round 1, because they do not yet know the yield from Round 1 decisions. Round 1 often comprises a smaller, more clear-cut pool of candidates — ones who are highly qualified or believe that applying early gives them an edge. Schools also encourage applicants to submit in Round 1 to help manage the admissions committee’s workload, given that Round 2 can be up to six times the size of Round 1.
Once Round 1 admits begin submitting enrollment deposits (typically during Round 3), admissions directors refine the percentage of offers for subsequent rounds and the waitlist. This ongoing adjustment ensures that they meet enrollment targets while balancing quality and diversity in the incoming class.
How Test Waivers Are Changing the Landscape
An important new factor to consider is the growing prevalence of test waivers. Many top MBA programs have adopted or expanded test waiver policies, allowing applicants to forgo submitting GMAT or GRE scores if they can demonstrate academic and professional readiness in other ways. This shift affects application timing and strategy.
Applicants opting for test waivers might need extra time to strengthen other parts of their application, such as their essays, recommendations, and work experience narratives, making Round 2 particularly appealing. On the other hand, Round 1 might be a better fit for candidates with test scores or waiver approvals already in hand, because they can submit a polished application earlier.
Which Round Is Better for You?
So, what does all this mean for you? If you aren’t ready to submit your application in Round 1, don’t worry — your chances in Round 2 are comparable for schools without rolling admissions. However, applying in Round 1 has its benefits:
- You’ll know your fate earlier, giving you more time to secure financial aid, visas, and housing.
- It allows you to eliminate safety schools, focus on your top choice, and prepare to transition to MBA life.
- It reduces the pressure of navigating bottlenecks in Round 2, when both applicant volume and competition peak.
However, Round 1 gives you an advantage only if your application is ready. Submitting a rushed application with poorly developed essays, weaker recommendations, or incomplete narratives can ruin your chances for admission. So leverage the time before Round 2 to perfect your application and put your best foot forward.
Make Your Application Shine
Are you trying to figure out when to apply? Should you push for Round 1 or take the extra time for Round 2? The answer depends on your unique circumstances, and Accepted is here to help.
Whether you’re navigating test waivers, refining your essays, or choosing the right round, we’re here to help you succeed. Schedule a free consultation today.
By Natalie Grinblatt, former admissions dean/director at three top business schools. Natalie has reviewed more than 70,000 applications, interviewed more than 2,500 candidates, and trained nearly 700 admissions directors and alumni volunteers to select outstanding candidates for admission. Her clients gain admission to top programs, including those at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT, Cornell, Columbia, Berkeley, Chicago, Northwestern, and NYU. Natalie holds an MBA from Michigan Ross. Want Natalie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch!
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