Admissions Tip: Managing Round 2 MBA Deadlines
Anyone who’s familiar with the MBA application process knows that December moves forward at an accelerated pace, mixing work with holidays and application preparation. Come the New Year, Round 2 application deadlines come swiftly. See just how many deadlines overlap in our handy chart of Round 2 MBA application deadlines.
To help this year’s Round 2 applicants avoid the classic time crunch, we’ve compiled some basic advice on how to approach the MBA deadlines at a reasonable pace.
Plan to be busy in December.
If you are not bogged down by professional obligations in December, this makes for a great opportunity to devote time to working on your MBA applications in the evenings. The last weeks of the year can easily be split between résumé drafting, essay writing, recommendation coaching, GMAT prep, school research, and more.
Think carefully about the timing of the R2 MBA deadlines.
Looking at the deadlines chart, it becomes clear that some deadlines may be easier to make than others. A candidate applying to NYU Stern and MIT Sloan could have a more leisurely December when compared to someone targeting Harvard, Stanford and Wharton. Assuming about three weeks of research and writing for each school’s application, take a look at the deadlines and count backwards to determine a start date for each. It is entirely possible to meet same-day or back-to-back deadlines, but doing so requires a well-planned schedule and consistent progress.
Consider taking some time off from work.
We realize that many MBA applicants work 70 hours/week and haven’t had a day off in months. For such applicants, a day or two away from their work desk can really do wonders for focus and organization. Applying to business school is a serious undertaking, and in the long term you won’t regret having given yourself enough time to prepare strong applications. Many successful candidates take a week off in December to make the final push. It’s not a glamorous way to spend your vacation time, but an offer to attend a leading MBA program can make the sacrifice well worth it.
Get your recommenders on board early.
It’s always a good idea to engage your recommenders early and inform them about the process and your timeline. Sit down with each recommender, perhaps over lunch or coffee or via Zoom. No matter the setting, present them with an outline of the deadlines and the process. It’s then a wise idea to meet again shortly thereafter, as many applicants will then be in a position to share their background materials (a résumé, career goals essays, etc.) to help their recommenders understand—and support—their message.
Happy planning!
MBA Applywire
Hi! I'm applying to the above schools & I'm hoping to be admitted somewhere with significant scholarship. I currently have 2Y 9 months YOE and was promoted twice at a BB bank (from analyst > associate > AVP) during that time period (also part of an LDP).
Had to step away in March for family caregiving duties, and I'm currently looking for another role, so I will enter the MBA at about 3.5-4 YOE.
I'm a female LGBTQ+ applicant, from SEA, though of Indian origins.
TIA!
Background
Canadian citizen
Indian Origin male, moved to Canada on my own after high school.
29 years old, first gen
College Diploma in Electrical Engineering (3.6 gpa)
BSc in Computer Science from Toronto Metropolitan University (3.72 gpa)
GMAT Focus: 695 (Q90, V84, DI79)
Work Experience
I've spent my entire career at FAANG company - Industrial Automation/Robotics, where I've been for over 6 years. I completed my undergrad while working full time, my company sponsored me for my undergrad and meanwhile also got three promotions.
Career progression:
1. Application Engineer (2 years) Started my career providing technical support and engineering solutions for customers. Worked directly with end users, and sales teams to help design and implement automation solutions, troubleshoot issues, and support projects from concept through deployment.
2. Business Development Manager (2+ years)
Moved into a commercial role focused on growing adoption of emerging technologies. Worked with customers across Canada to identify business opportunities, build relationships, develop go-to-market strategies, and help customers understand the business value of new solutions.
3. Customer Success Enablement (Current Role)
Currently in a national role responsible for driving adoption and success of strategic technologies across Canada. I work with customers, partners, sales teams, and executives to develop enablement programs, support major opportunities, and influence strategy around technology adoption and digital transformation.
Leadership & Community Involvement
Co-chair of my company's 2SLGBTQIA+ employee resource group in Canada. Formed this committee. Host quarterly events to spread awareness and promote inclusion.
Active member of the sustainability committee. Volunteer activities include tree planting, park cleanups, habitat-building projects, and STEM outreach.
Why MBA?
Short-term goal: transition into management consulting, ideally focusing on technology, industrials, digital transformation, especially around embedding Physical AI in manufacturing / robotics.
Long-term goal: become a senior business leader helping organizations navigate large-scale technology and business transformation.
Schools
Targeting:
Harvard Business School
Stanford GSB
Wharton
MIT Sloan
Kellogg
Questions
What would you estimate my chances are at each school?
Should Ieven bother to apply at each of HSW? I was told by someone that although I am Canadian, but because of Indian origins, my chances at HSW are slim since Indians are most overrepresented.
What do you see as the biggest strengths and weaknesses in my profile?
How can i stand out? I am still not sure about my goals, i am okay with both tech or consulting or general management but in tech company.
Which schools do you think fit my background the best? including schools other than m7
1. Diversity: I am an Indian Male.
2. Acads: I have a BTech-Mtech dual degree from an IIT (got admit here with like 99.9 percentile in 1M+ students).
BTech GPA is 7.3/10, which is improved to 9/10 in MTech. I am using optional essays to explain the lower acads in BTech. My MTech GPA and then GMAT Focus 745(Q90, V88) shows an upward trajectory, which should be helpful.
3. Work: I have 5 years of software development experience in a big european tech company.
4. Leadership: I don't have a formal title for leadership in work. But a lot of leadership without authority and my letters of recommendations from current and previous supervisors can vouch for that.
5. Why MBA: Trying to build something on my own exposed gaps which MBA would help me fix. I have a strong thread going on with my childhood, college, extra curricular and with what I tried to built. Post-MBA goal of Product Management role in tech would build on top of my skills I gain at MBA to help me move in the direction of tech leadership which is my long term goal.
6. Inclination: Schools which have good tech recruitment for PM role, help build leadership skills for my long term goals, have good alumni network in tech and PM roles, and lastly a collaborative community that I would prefer. I would prefer to get scholarships because of tight finances.
7. Definitely applying in R1: Kellogg, Haas, Ross, Tuck, Fuqua, MIT Sloan
8. Not sure about: Harvard (Not sure about fit), Stanford (low selection chances + 0 scholarships hopes), London Business School (keeping because of visa situation), Cornell (Tech is good but will it help for my long term goal), McCombs (Not T15 ), UCLA (Not T15)
Please help me choose right schools and strategy for fit + scholarships based on my inclinations mentioned in point 6 above.
I want to apply for a Part Time MBA because work is giving Tuition Assistance next year. Already have a decent salary with a consulting position.
Since I'm not leaving the Philadelphia area, I'm generally only considering part time programs in the area.
How does my profile look for Full time and Part Time however?
CPA, masters degree (3.5 gpa), 1.5 years of local non profit board experience, 615 gmat focus. Promoted to senior associate after 2 years at big 4.