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2023-2024 MBA application deadlines for Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 4

2023-2024 MBA application deadlines for Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 4
A 9 min read

The MBA Application season is in full swing, and several top business schools have already completed their round 2 of admissions for the 2024 intake.

In this article, we have collated the 2024 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 MBA deadlines 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:

For any strategic advice for GMAT or MBA Admissions, write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com Let us help you conquer the first step of getting into top business schools i.e., taking the GMAT. Take a free GMAT mock to understand your baseline score and start your GMAT prep with our free trial. We are the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company with 2600+ reviews on GMATClub

MBA Application deadline 2023

MBA Application Deadlines 2024

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 in December 2021 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.

When should you take the GMAT?

Finding an ideal test date that aligns with your preparation level and application deadlines can be equally daunting. To help you with this, we’ve created a quiz that will provide you with personalized recommendations on the best test date for you. Our quiz takes into account your current level of preparation and your target score to suggest the most suitable test date for you. So, take a few minutes to complete the quiz and gain valuable insights that will help you achieve success on the GMAT!

Kickstarting the MBA Application Process 2024

Once again, Harvard Business School hit the start button on the 2024 MBA application season, posting a first-round cut-off for applications to its Class of 2026 (matriculating fall 2024) for Sept. 6. 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.”

MBA Application – Early Action

Business School Early ActionDecision
Columbia Business School (August 2024 Entry)13 September 202303 April 2024
Duke Fuqua School of Business07 September 202319 October 2023
Virginia Darden07 September 202318 October 2023

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MBA Application – Round 1

Here are the Round 1 MBA application deadlines 2024 for top business schools:

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Harvard Business School06 September 202306 December 2023
Wharton 06 September 202314 December 2023
Columbia Business School (August Entry)*13 September 2023Mid December 2023
Kellogg School of Management13 September 202313 December 2023
Chicago Booth School of Business21 September 202330 November 2023
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business25 September 202307 December 2023
Duke Fuqua School of Business28 September 202308 December 2023
Michigan Ross School of Business14 September 202308 December 2023
Virginia Darden04 October 202306 December 2023
Vanderbilt Owen03 October 202314 December 2023
Stanford GSB12 September 202307 December 2023
NYU Stern18 September 202301 December 2023
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202407 March 202312 May 2023
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202412 September 202317 November 2023
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202512 March 202417 May 2024
Yale SoM12 September 202305 December 2023
Cambridge (Judge)**29 August 2023 –
UCLA (Anderson)05 October 202314 December 2023
UC Berkeley (Haas)14 September 202307 December 2023
UT Austin (McCombs)10 October 202314 December 2023
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper02 October 202306 December 2023
Georgetown (McDonough)02 October 202307 December 2023
London Business School08 September 202330 November 2023
MIT (Sloan)27 September 202312 December 2023
Oxford27 September 202313 December 2023
UNC Kenan-Flagler16 October 202311 December 2023

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

MBA Application – Round 2

Here are the Round 2 MBA application deadlines 2024 for top business schools:

Business School MBA Application Deadline  Decision 
Harvard Business School03 January 202427 March 2024
Wharton 04 January 202426 March 2024
Kellogg School of Management10 January 202427 March 2024
Chicago Booth School of Business04 January 202421 March 2024
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business04 January 202414 March 2024
Duke Fuqua School of Business09 January 202412 March 2024
Michigan Ross School of Business11 January 202415 March 2024
Virginia Darden04 January 202413 March 2024
Vanderbilt Owen08 January 202415 March 2024
Stanford GSB04 January 202428 March 2024
NYU Stern16 October 202301 January 2024
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202418 April 202323 June 2023
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202407 November 202312 January 2024
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202523 April 202405 July 2024
Yale SoM04 January 202426 March 2024
Cambridge (Judge)03 October 2023 –
UCLA (Anderson)04 January 202422 March 2024
UC Berkeley (Haas)04 January 202421 March 2024
UT Austin (McCombs)23 January 202401 March 2024
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper08 January 202406 March 2024
Georgetown (McDonough)04 January 202418 March 2024
London Business School03 January 202427 March 2024
MIT (Sloan)17 January 202405 April 2024
Oxford05 January 202408 March 2024
UNC Kenan-Flagler08 January 202411 March 2024

MBA Application – Round 3

Here are the Round 3 MBA application deadlines 2024 for top business schools:

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Wharton 2 April 202413 May 2024
Kellogg School of Management3 April 20248 May 2024
Chicago Booth School of Business4 April 202423 May 2024
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business25 March 202402 May 2024
Duke Fuqua School of Business22 February 202405 April 2024
Michigan Ross School of Business04 April 202403 May 2024
Virginia Darden03 April 202401 May 2024
Vanderbilt Owen27 February 202405 April 2024
Stanford GSB09 April 202423 May 2024
NYU Stern18 January 202401 April 2024
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202427 June 202301 September 2023
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202416 January 202422 March 2024
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202518 June 202423 August 2024
Yale SoM09 April 202416 May 2024
Cambridge (Judge)08 January 2024 –
UCLA (Anderson)12 April 202417 May 2024
UC Berkeley (Haas)28 March 202402 May 2024
UT Austin (McCombs)26 March 202401 May 2024
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper4 March 202408 May 2024
Georgetown (McDonough)26 March 202401 May 2024
London Business School25 March 202407 June 2024
MIT (Sloan)08 April 202416 May 2024
Oxford20 March 202417 May 2024
UNC Kenan-Flagler04 March 202422 April 2024

MBA Application – Round 4

Here are the Round 4 MBA application deadlines 2024 for top business schools:

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Duke Fuqua School of Business4 April 202410 May 2024
Vanderbilt Owen15 May 2024Rolling admission
NYU Stern18 April 2024Ongoing
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202408 August 202306 October 2023
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202405 March 202410 May 2024
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202506 August 202411 October 2024
Cambridge (Judge)11 March 2024 –
UT Austin (McCombs)28 May 202412 July 2024
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper06 May 202405 June 2024
Georgetown (McDonough)30 April 202429 May 2024
UNC Kenan-Flagler29 April 202420 May 2024

For any strategic advice for GMAT or MBA Admissions, write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com Let us help you conquer the first step of getting into top business schools i.e., taking the GMAT. Take a free GMAT mock to understand your baseline score and start your GMAT prep with our free trial. We are the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company with 2600+ reviews on GMATClub.

MBA Application Rounds

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.

Which MBA Application round should you apply?

MBA Application round 2022

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:

  1. Application Readiness
  2. Target Business School Ranking
  3. International Applicant

Application Readiness

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.

Learn more about applying in Round 1 vs. Round 2

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.

Learn more about how you can improve your MBA Applicant profile & boost your MBA Application. Your GMAT score has a 22% weightage in your MBA application, learn more about MBA application factors, in this article.

Target Business School Ranking

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.

MBA Deadlines: International Applicants

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.

For any strategic advice for GMAT or MBA Admissions, write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com Let us help you conquer the first step of getting into top business schools i.e., taking the GMAT. Take a free GMAT mock to understand your baseline score and start your GMAT prep with our free trial. We are the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company with 2600+ reviews on GMATClub.

MBA Application: Why should you apply in Round 1 or Round 2?

Why should you apply early to MBA application round?

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.

Here are some other reasons why applying earlier is advantageous:

  • Applying earlier allows you to receive information about scholarships/fellowships from the business schools financial aid office before the date to which you must respond to your offer of admission
  • Allows more time to complete recommended quantitative and language coursework before you arrive on campus
  • In some cases, applying early provides better access to on-campus housing lottery opportunities at business schools
  • As mentioned earlier, applying early allows ample time to complete the visa application process for international applicants
  • Opportunity to attend the business schools admit weekends. Sometimes, round 3 candidates lose out on this opportunity to interact with classmates (a significant MBA networking opportunity)

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

What is the Early Decision MBA Application?

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:

  • It signals your Commitment to attend the Business School: Applying to the Early decision round signals to the business school that they are your first choice and commit to attending if admitted. Those of you who have completed their MBA program research and know for sure that a certain business school is your first choice for an MBA can take advantage of the MBA early decision round. Reapplicants also can take advantage of early decision deadlines
  • Non-Refundable Deposit may be Required: Sometimes, a non-refundable deposit is required if you are granted admission into an MBA program after applying through the early decision Round. Also, many early action options have a binding component, which means that you must withdraw your applications submitted to other business schools and commit to attending that particular business school. Thus, it is imperative to research and decide if applying in the early decision round is suitable for you.

For any strategic advice for GMAT or MBA Admissions, write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com Let us help you conquer the first step of getting into top business schools i.e., taking the GMAT. Take a free GMAT mock to understand your baseline score and start your GMAT prep with our free trial. We are the most reviewed online GMAT Prep company with 2600+ reviews on GMATClub.

FAQs – MBA application deadlines

When should you apply for MBA Fall 2024?

Most of the top business school’s MBA Application deadlines for Round 1 in September 2023. It is generally advisable to apply in Round 1 to increase your chances of getting an admit.

How many MBA Application Rounds are there?

Most of the top MBA programs have three application Rounds:
– Round 1 deadlines are in September/October
– Round 2 deadlines are in January
– Round 3 deadlines are in April
It is advisable to check with your respective business schools to know their MBA application deadlines for the 2024 intake.

Which Round should I apply in?

Your decision to choose which MBA Application round to apply to depends on various factors like:
1. Target business school ranking
2. Application Readiness
3. International Applicant
Click here to know in detail which Round you should apply in.

Is an MBA worth it?

yes, an MBA is worth it. However, it depends on the amount of time and money you are willing to invest. Check out this article where we do a cost-benefit analysis to help you decide when an MBA is worth it.

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