When to apply for mba programs?

The MBA Application season is in full swing, and several top business schools have already completed their round 2 of admissions for the 2023 intake.

In this article, we have collated the 2023 MBA application deadlines for round 1, round 2, round 3, and round 4 of the top business schools for your reference.

Bookmark this article for future reference, as it will be periodically updated as more business schools announce their application schedules.

Watch this video that will give you tips on the MBA Application process and will help you get more clarity about your post-MBA goals:

The big brand business schools are tip-toeing their way into the online MBA market. This year, for the first time ever, both UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business and New York University’s Stern School of Business will welcome online cohorts of 50 to 60 students in their part-time MBA programs. A study released last December by the Centre for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy found that 71% of employers now view business degrees acquired online as equal to or better than traditional programs in quality.

Once again, Harvard Business School hit the start button on the 2023 MBA application season, posting a first-round cut-off for applications to its Class of 2025 for Sept. 7. And with the Harvard announcement, other school deadlines are tumbling in very soon.

Business schools like Vanderbilt Owen, NYU Stern, Oxford, UNC Kenan-Flagler, and many more offer four rounds of MBA application, with some of the interviews on rolling invitations and some scheduled.

In general, most business schools keep their application like the previous year, with some tweaks.

Chad Losee, managing director of MBA admissions and financial aid, said the change occurred due to feedback from candidates. “We have heard from some applicants that, without a word limit, sometimes questions (and stress) arise about the ‘right’ word length,” he wrote in a blog post. “We hope that including a limit provides applicants with a little more direction and eliminates the stress about how much is too much to write.”

Here are the Round 1 MBA application deadlines 2023 for top business schools:

*Application on rolling bases. **Post MBA application submission, applicants are invited for interview on specific dates

Here are the Round 2 MBA application deadlines 2023 for top business schools:

Here are the Round 3 MBA application deadlines 2023 for top business schools:

Here are the Round $ MBA application deadlines 2023 for top business schools:

As you can see from the table above, generally, there are three rounds. However, few business schools like Georgia Tech Scheller, Vanderbilt Owen, Cambridge Judge, NYU Stern, and Michigan Ross have more than three rounds.

Your decision to choose which MBA application round to apply to depends on several factors. Following are some of the factors you should consider while deciding which MBA application round you should apply to:

If you are done with your GMAT and have finished polishing your other application materials such as Resume, Letters of Recommendations, etc., then it is advisable to apply either during the Early Decision Round or Round 1.

If you are still working on your essays or other aspects of your MBA application, then it is advisable to apply in Round 2. You can use the extra time to make sure you submit the strongest MBA application possible.

If you are applying to the Top 15 MBA programs, then applying early is advantageous. Due to a large number of robust applications received by the top business schools for their MBA programs, the acceptance rate for the later rounds (i.e., Round 3 & Round 4) is significantly lower.

International applicants require more time for visa processing, and other formalities, and hence business schools encourage international applicants to apply early in Round 1 or Round 2.

Many business schools also do not accept applications for the later rounds from international applicants. Make sure to check your target business schools’ admissions policies to learn more.

Since none of the seats are filled in the First Round, it is advantageous to apply in Round 1. At most business schools, early applicants have an advantage over those who apply in later rounds.

This is because, typically, the second application round is the largest and most competitive. The third round is even more competitive due to the vast majority of seats is already filled.

However, it is essential to remember that it is best to apply when you believe you’ve prepared the most polished MBA application possible.

Some business schools, besides having the regular admission rounds for their MBA programs, also have an Early Decision application deadline. Generally, students who apply in this Round receive an answer before the regular decision applicant is reviewed.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind if you apply in the Early Decision MBA Application Deadlines:

Although business schools have a number of application rounds, the ideal is to start preparing around 12 months before the first application deadlines: Round One. To help plan for a successful application, we've broken down all you need to do to help secure your place at your top choice b-schools.

Before you even start the process of applying for business schools, you need to assess whether an MBA program is worth it for you. Will studying the MBA help you achieve your career goals? Are you committed to the challenge?

You should have clear answers to these questions before you start applying. During the admissions process, you'll be asked to share details of your professional life, your post-MBA goals, your strengths and weaknesses, and why you think you'd be a good fit for the specific MBA program at your top choice business school.

Having these answers set in your mind will ease the process of applying and give the best chances of acing your application!

Most business schools have around three application rounds, sometimes more. Business schools think carefully about who they want in their cohort, knowing that a diverse class thrives most.

For this reason, applying in Round One generally offers a better chance of acceptance as applicants are open across all categories. Particularly if you're from an over-represented applicant pool – such as an American man wanting to enter finance – a Round One application could boost your chances.

Applying earlier could also secure you an Early Bird discount on your tuition fees, or a better chance at receiving an MBA scholarship.

However, even though there are advantages of applying in Round One, if your application isn't yet strong enough, then working to boost your application to apply in a later round is the best option. If, for example, you want to re-take the GMAT to raise your score, or have upcoming work experience or a promotion that you want to secure before submitting your application.

Making sure your application is the strongest it can be before submitting it to business schools is most important.

Studying a full-time MBA can be challenging, so business schools want to know that you have the skills and qualifications to thrive, which you should aim to emphasize throughout your MBA application.

The core fundamentals of a business school MBA program require students to have a solid understanding of quantitative subjects and math skills.

If you feel like you need to level up your core business knowledge to support your application and stand out to your dream business school, there are a number of online courses you can do. The Graduate Management Admission Council offers online courses in business fundamentals such as accounting, finance, and statistics that you can take to prepare to aid your acceptance into the best business schools.

By taking such supplementary courses, even if you don't have a wealth of experience, you'll be on a level playing field with other highly qualified candidates.

Business schools aren't just looking for a list of your professional achievements, however. They also want to see that you have something unique to bring to their MBA program. The MBA application process is an opportunity to show business schools your personality and build your personal brand.

So as well as your professional achievements, start thinking about the qualities you have that help you stand out amongst the large applicant pool.

There are so many business schools around the world to choose from and choosing an MBA program that is the perfect fit for you is a fast-track to achieving your dream career goals.

Now is the time to find your best fit. Look for a whole range of schools where the curriculum, international opportunities, and school values stand out to you. Do you want to study abroad? Do you want a full-time, part-time, or online MBA program?

Look for resources, read stories of MBA alumni, and deep-dive into business school websites.

Research business schools thoroughly and set yourself realistic goals by looking for schools in which the current student test scores and work experience match your own. However, it's also good to aim high!

What is the GMAT? If you're applying to business school, you'll likely have heard of the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). The GMAT is designed to prove your eligibility for your top MBA colleges and test the fundamental problem-solving and critical reasoning skills that are crucial to succeeding on the MBA program.

For students applying to schools in India, the NMAT is often a requirement.

The GMAT (or NMAT) is an important part of your MBA application as standardized tests are a way to evaluate business school candidates from around the world and compare their readiness for the program.

How long it takes to study for the GMAT exam will differ for each candidate but planning out a timeline and creating a study plan will lead you towards achieving a much more competitive GMAT test score.

There are lots of resources available that you can use to help you schedule your study time, make a revision plan, and take practice tests. There are also plenty of study tips available for the NMAT.

It's also a good idea to start thinking early about who will write your recommendation letters. You want someone who you have worked closely with in your professional life and can really exemplify your strengths.

Reaching out to them with plenty of time to discuss what you need and make sure your ideas about your professional qualities align so their letters strengthen your application, not diminish it.

They'll likely also be very busy so this means they'll be able to spend enough time on writing your recommendation letter before you submit your application.

As the GMAT is designed specifically for business school candidates, each section of the test is made to evaluate a specific skillset that you will use throughout the MBA.

The standardized test scores across candidates will help the admissions committee decide if you're a suitable candidate for their MBA program.

The GMAT exam score range is between 200 - 800 and although business schools consider MBA applications holistically, the majority of schools worldwide consider test scores above 700 to be highly competitive. Research the average GMAT score range at your top MBA colleges so you know what to aim for and how long to spend studying, but also remember it isn't everything. Admissions committees consider all elements of your application, so while all candidates should aim for the best possible test scores, you can also strengthen your application in other areas.

Narrowing down your top MBA colleges to the ones that best align with your career goals and where you have a good chance of succeeding among the applicant pool is key.

Applying to too many business schools will only result in you not being able to spend enough time on each application, and reduce your chances. Business school applicants should apply for a range of schools including one reach school and one safety school.

If you're able to, visit the school campus and connect with current students, alumni, and faculty to help access whether their MBA program is a good fit for you, and if it aligns with your post-MBA journey.

For international applications, business schools often have official transcripts and English language proficiency requirements to submit alongside your application, so make sure you're aware of these well in advance.

The MBA resume is different from an ordinary resume. Rather than showcasing the skills you have for a specific job, you are exemplifying how you have been a leader and gone above and beyond in your professional career so far.

You should give clear examples of situations where you have succeeded and achievements you're proud of. This is a chance to really sell your professional abilities. Make sure to avoid common mistakes so you can really impress the admissions committee.

Make sure you have made a note of each round of application deadlines for your target school's MBA programs so you don't miss whichever date you're aiming for! Double checking the dates throughout the application process will ensure that you'll have all components of your application ready in time.

Each business school will have a different set of essay topics. Usually these will be centered around candidates post-MBA goals.

However, some b-schools also like you to get a little more creative. For example, Duke Fuqua School of Business asks for a list of '25 random things about yourself' as part of its MBA admission criteria and NYU Stern requires six images that help to illustrate you as a person.

Whichever school you're applying to, find out the essay topics well in advance, so you can ace your answers.

Take the GMAT exam

Taking the GMAT exam at this point means you still have time to re-test if your exam score is not as high as you need to meet the average test score for your target b-schools.

write the first draft of your MBA application essays

The first draft of your MBA essays should not be the one you send to the admissions committee. You will need to re-write and tweak it to ensure it is the strongest possible depiction of your personality and your reasons for wanting to attend that specific MBA college.

Remember each of your MBA essays will be different if you're sending multiple MBA applications. Be specific to each business school and their values to show why you would be a great addition to their cohort. It's important to emphasize why they are a top MBA program for you.

International students: complete MBA admissions requirements

If you're an international student, make sure all the appropriate admissions requirements are completed as your application cannot be processed without them.

Get back in touch with each of your recommenders and ask to meet them to discuss your letters. Having a sit down with them to go over what is expected, any important qualities you're keen for them to highlight, and discuss your strengths and weaknesses to ensure you're both on the same page.

Have a thorough look at your MBA essay answers and review all parts of your application alongside each other.

Each part of the application should enhance a new quality that highlights you as an asset to your top MBA colleges.

Finally, get an outsider's perspective. Having a new set of eyes look over your application and advise you will help you spot any last minute errors before sending your application form to your top MBA programs.

Below, you’ll find a general guide for the MBA admissions season and suggestions regarding what you can be doing at any given stage to help you prepare to meet your program-of-choice’s deadlines.

Before we lay out the timeline, take a moment to consider which MBA application round is best suited for you.

The majority of business schools offer three rounds of admissions (some, notably Harvard and Columbia, offer only two rounds.)

The purpose of these rounds is twofold:

1.) Multiple rounds give you, the applicant, the opportunity to diversify the type and number of programs you can apply to in the case of being rejected in round one from your first-choice program.

2.) These rounds give programs the ability to review applicants in a more thorough manner than they would be able to if all applications poured in at once.

As a general rule, you should apply to your top-choice programs in the earlier rounds and your safer bets in the later rounds.

Round 1

Round 1, for nearly every MBA program, yields the highest probability for acceptance. Why? Round 1 almost always has the smallest batch of applicants—a lot of people don’t get it together in time—so acceptance percentages of course skew higher within a smaller pool. But it’s also often the case that the strongest applicants are the ones ready to apply by the earliest deadline.

Your competition in round 1 is tough, but if you’re ready with your application materials and are satisfied with your GMAT scores, you should apply to your top-choice programs in the first round.

First-round MBA application deadlines for top programs vary, but they begin on September 4 (Harvard) and run through early October.

Round 2

For programs offering 2 or 3 rounds, Round 2 consistently sees the largest batch of applicants. This fact makes your statistical chances for acceptance lower than they would be for Round 1, but don’t rely too heavily on statistics.

The amount of extra time you have between rounds 1 and 2 can mean wonders for the quality of your application, and if your application is significantly better for having waited for the second round rather than rushing to meet the first, then it behooves you to wait it out.

Common reasons for waiting for round 2 include unsatisfactory GMAT scores that require a re-test and application essays that need further work. Both of these variables are solid ground for applying in Round 2.

Round 2 deadlines range from October to January, with most programs falling just after the new year.

Round 3

Round 3 is a tough sell. For top-10 programs, the majority of acceptances are awarded to round 1 and 2 applicants. Lower ranked programs receive a flood of round 3 applicants who didn’t make the cut for top program’s earlier rounds. No matter how you look at it, applying in the third round yields your slightest shot at getting accepted to an MBA.

If you’re a current college senior applying to 2-for-2 programs or MBAs straight out of the gate, programs may advise you to wait to apply until round 3 so your college transcript is more fully fleshed out, but if you’re a professional applying to business school (as most MBA applicants are) then waiting until the final round of admissions should be reserved for last resort efforts.

Round 3 deadlines vary greatly. Though the vast majority of programs’ round 3 deadlines occur in late March and early April, some programs (like NYU and Duke) have round 3 deadlines in January.

It’s worth noting that most programs with earlier round 3 deadlines also offer a round 4 deadline around February and March. Our advice for 4-round programs remains consistent with 3-round programs: apply to your top-choice schools in the earliest possible rounds and work your way down your preference list in chronological order.

It’s widely recommended that you take your GMAT at least two months before a given round’s application deadline so that your scores can be reported to the program. But if you’re aiming for a round 1 application, you’ll want to take your GMAT even earlier–the summer prior to your application cycle–in order to best figure out what your possible options are in regard to school rankings. Study, test, and leave yourself enough time to re-test in the event the first attempt goes awry.

Assuming you’ve already decided to apply to MBA programs and your GMAT went as expected, the summer before the application cycle begins provides an excellent time to narrow down your list of programs and become more acquainted with their offerings, culture, and how you can grow while there.

If you’re able, arrange for a campus visit. Campus visits provide you a wealth of knowledge about all a program has to offer that far exceeds what you can find on a program’s website. While there, coordinate with the admissions office to see if you can sit in on classes, meet fellow students, or talk with an admissions rep about the program.

The more you know about the program, and the more you can exhibit this knowledge in your application essays, and the more seriously the MBA admissions committee will consider your application. Readers want to believe their program is your first choice, and the best way to communicate this is being hyper familiar with what you can gain from that school’s MBA and how you can contribute to campus life.

In line with gathering information, tap into your professional network to figure out if anyone you may know attended that program. Use them as resources for learning more and hearing any application tips they may have. Understanding the future impact of a program’s alumni network can go a long way toward arguing why a program is right for your professional trajectory.

Most MBA programs require 2-3 recommendation letters from people who know you and your work. More often than not, these recommendations will come from your immediate supervisors, but you can often choose one of the three recommenders out of someone from your past places of work, educational institutions, volunteer work, or even clients for whom you’ve done exceptional work.

Over the summer, decide who you’d like to recommend you and re-connect with them.  ask if they would feel comfortable providing a “strong letter of recommendation.” If they seem hesitant, simply thank them and move on to the next. Better to suffer that minor rejection than end up with a weak LOR and lower admissions odds.

The resume is the centerpiece for every MBA application, and it will be the one common factor between all the different programs. While your essays will differ between applications, your resume is shining beacon that guides your applications. Start working on that way ahead of time so you can focus your fall efforts on the applications themselves.

(Further reading: The Perfect MBA Resume)

With the deadlines now looming, it’s time to get organized. Construct a plan. What are your three top-choice programs? What are your three safer options? Plan to apply to your top-choice schools in Round 1 and, if necessary, your lower choice programs in later rounds. Make a to-do list including the essay prompts of your top schools and start preparing your answers.

The staple for pretty much every MBA application is the “career goals essay.” In one form or another, almost every single program asks for one of these types of essays. Tackle your “goals essay” first – and early – to give you time to adapt it to different programs. Review our comprehensive career goals essay guide to knock this seminal portion of your application out of the park.

In addition to the “goals essay,” you’ll find that each application asks for a series of shorter, more pointed essays. Failure essays, campus life essays, short-answer questions, etc. Once your resume and goals essay are finished, dive into the specific application questions starting with your top-choice schools.

Assemble all your materials, send out your transcripts, check to make sure your recommendations are in line, and click the send button.

Most programs offer interviews on an invitation basis. If they liked your application enough, you’ll be amongst the 20-40% of applicants who receive an invitation to interview. This is the final hurdle before gaining admission to your top-choice school.

After completing these steps, all that’s left to do is wait. If you receive rejections from your Round 1 applications, never fear. Repeat this process for your lower-ranked programs to meet their second- and third-round deadlines.

Though we advise getting an early start when preparing for your MBA applications, if you’re a working professional, time is often not your friend. If it’s fall and you’ve just decided to apply to business schools, you can condense the ten steps above into something manageable for your abbreviated timeline. Still shoot for round two, or ~January.

Prioritize:

You may not have time for campus visits, information-gathering networking, and recommender relationship building, but these are all secondary concerns to what matters most to an MBA admissions committee: YOU. If you’re a shining star bound to lead the future of business, the admissions committee might not mind that you don’t know every last detail about their campus or that your recommendations seem a bit impersonal.

Making the right decision when it comes to when to apply to business school can impact whether you land a place on your target MBA program and whether you receive an MBA scholarship.

Before you apply, you need to make sure you’re submitting the best possible application. There’s a few things you’ll need to include, and you can find them in our handy application checklist.

Once your application is ready, you need to choose the right time in the MBA application cycle to give yourself the best possible chance of success.

The MBA application cycle is typically divided into several application rounds.

Most US business schools have three or four application rounds, with start dates in fall 2022, although start dates and application rounds can vary outside the United States.

Others take applications on a rolling basis, with one final deadline. Columbia Business School, for example, has one final deadline in April 2022.

The above table includes deadlines for the 25 top MBA programs ranked by the Financial Times as well as the M7 Business Schools.

Some business schools have an Early Action (EA), or Early Decision, round. If you’re decided on your number one target school and it offers an EA round, this is when you should apply.

Early application shows that you would take that school’s acceptance above all others. Some schools also offer tuition fee discounts if you apply early.

EA rounds aside, round one is when every place in the cohort is up for grabs and it means admissions staff have seen fewer applicants when they assess your application. Round one also offers better scholarship opportunities.

“Apply in the early rounds of the admissions cycle, not just to have better chance of securing a place on the program, but also to show commitment and dedication, which will allow you to have better access to different types of scholarships and funding sources,” advises Amir Michael, MBA director at the UK’s Durham University Business School.

For international candidates who have the added difficulty of sorting out a visa and accommodation, it’s also best to apply in round one to give yourself as much time as possible.

If you’re applying for an MBA starting fall 2022, most first round deadlines are in September 2021. Some schools extend into early October.

You’ll still have a good chance of success applying in round two, as there will still be places left on your chosen program. Applying later may also give you more time to perfect your application.

Round two deadlines for fall 2022 vary, with most in December 2021 or January 2022.

While you’re advised to apply in rounds one or two, it’s still possible to secure a place at your chosen school with a round three application. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to which round is best. It depends on the school and the candidate,” says MBA admissions consultant Stacy Blackman.

To be successful in round three you’ll have to provide a quality application, and you’ll also have to show how you can bring diversity to the cohort.

The round three MBA applications deadlines for most schools this cycle come up in March or April 2022.

Some schools offer more rounds, University of Cambridge Judge and IESE Business School both offer two extra application rounds, while Spain’s ESADE Business School has eight rounds running until June 2022.

Now that you know when to apply, you need to start thinking about when you’ll begin your preparation. You may ask yourself: When should I take the GMAT?

You should aim to take the GMAT at least three months before you apply as this leaves time to retake should something go wrong. This means you should begin revising six months before the application deadline.

As you begin your revision you should also start considering how you’re going to promote yourself in your application. “Genuine, deep reflection that brings out your stories of leadership, growth, impact, and accomplishment is the only way to differentiate yourself,” says Petia Whitmore, founder of admissions consulting firm My MBA Path.

Over the next couple of months you should continue honing your application story and begin working on your MBA resume.

At least two months before submitting your application, after taking the GMAT, you should reach out to the people writing your letters of recommendation. Make sure they understand the story you’re putting forward in your application, and how they can fit within it.

Four weeks out, latest, you should finalize your essay answers and make sure your letters of recommendation are ready. The last thing to do is get somebody else to check over all your material before you apply.

You should only apply to business schools which suit your goals and interests. You also need to consider the acceptance rates of the schools you’re applying to: Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and MIT Sloan may seem a good fit but they also accept less than 15 percent of applicants.

You should look at applying to two or three safer options, which you’d still be happy to attend, who have acceptance rates above 30 percent.

Next, you’ll want to apply to between three and five schools with lower acceptance rates, but where your application makes you a competitive candidate.

Your dream school may only accept around 10 percent of candidates, but you should still apply provided you’ve sent off applications elsewhere.