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 Deadlines 2024
- When should you take the GMAT?
- MBA Application – Early Action
- MBA Application – Round 1
- MBA Application – Round 2
- MBA Application – Round 3
- MBA Application – Round 4
- Which MBA Application Round should you apply in?
- Why should you apply in Round 1 or Round 2?
- What is the Early Decision MBA Application?
- FAQs – MBA application deadlines
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 Action | Decision |
| Columbia Business School (August 2024 Entry) | 13 September 2023 | 03 April 2024 |
| Duke Fuqua School of Business | 07 September 2023 | 19 October 2023 |
| Virginia Darden | 07 September 2023 | 18 October 2023 |
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 – Round 1
Here are the Round 1 MBA application deadlines 2024 for top business schools:
| Business School | MBA Application Deadline | Decision |
| Harvard Business School | 06 September 2023 | 06 December 2023 |
| Wharton | 06 September 2023 | 14 December 2023 |
| Columbia Business School (August Entry)* | 13 September 2023 | Mid December 2023 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 13 September 2023 | 13 December 2023 |
| Chicago Booth School of Business | 21 September 2023 | 30 November 2023 |
| Dartmouth Tuck School of Business | 25 September 2023 | 07 December 2023 |
| Duke Fuqua School of Business | 28 September 2023 | 08 December 2023 |
| Michigan Ross School of Business | 14 September 2023 | 08 December 2023 |
| Virginia Darden | 04 October 2023 | 06 December 2023 |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 03 October 2023 | 14 December 2023 |
| Stanford GSB | 12 September 2023 | 07 December 2023 |
| NYU Stern | 18 September 2023 | 01 December 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 2024 | 07 March 2023 | 12 May 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA August Intake 2024 | 12 September 2023 | 17 November 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA January Intake 2025 | 12 March 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
| Yale SoM | 12 September 2023 | 05 December 2023 |
| Cambridge (Judge)** | 29 August 2023 | – |
| UCLA (Anderson) | 05 October 2023 | 14 December 2023 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | 14 September 2023 | 07 December 2023 |
| UT Austin (McCombs) | 10 October 2023 | 14 December 2023 |
| Carnegie Mellon – Tepper | 02 October 2023 | 06 December 2023 |
| Georgetown (McDonough) | 02 October 2023 | 07 December 2023 |
| London Business School | 08 September 2023 | 30 November 2023 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 27 September 2023 | 12 December 2023 |
| Oxford | 27 September 2023 | 13 December 2023 |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | 16 October 2023 | 11 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 School | 03 January 2024 | 27 March 2024 |
| Wharton | 04 January 2024 | 26 March 2024 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 10 January 2024 | 27 March 2024 |
| Chicago Booth School of Business | 04 January 2024 | 21 March 2024 |
| Dartmouth Tuck School of Business | 04 January 2024 | 14 March 2024 |
| Duke Fuqua School of Business | 09 January 2024 | 12 March 2024 |
| Michigan Ross School of Business | 11 January 2024 | 15 March 2024 |
| Virginia Darden | 04 January 2024 | 13 March 2024 |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 08 January 2024 | 15 March 2024 |
| Stanford GSB | 04 January 2024 | 28 March 2024 |
| NYU Stern | 16 October 2023 | 01 January 2024 |
| INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 2024 | 18 April 2023 | 23 June 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA August Intake 2024 | 07 November 2023 | 12 January 2024 |
| INSEAD MBA January Intake 2025 | 23 April 2024 | 05 July 2024 |
| Yale SoM | 04 January 2024 | 26 March 2024 |
| Cambridge (Judge) | 03 October 2023 | – |
| UCLA (Anderson) | 04 January 2024 | 22 March 2024 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | 04 January 2024 | 21 March 2024 |
| UT Austin (McCombs) | 23 January 2024 | 01 March 2024 |
| Carnegie Mellon – Tepper | 08 January 2024 | 06 March 2024 |
| Georgetown (McDonough) | 04 January 2024 | 18 March 2024 |
| London Business School | 03 January 2024 | 27 March 2024 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 17 January 2024 | 05 April 2024 |
| Oxford | 05 January 2024 | 08 March 2024 |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | 08 January 2024 | 11 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 2024 | 13 May 2024 |
| Kellogg School of Management | 3 April 2024 | 8 May 2024 |
| Chicago Booth School of Business | 4 April 2024 | 23 May 2024 |
| Dartmouth Tuck School of Business | 25 March 2024 | 02 May 2024 |
| Duke Fuqua School of Business | 22 February 2024 | 05 April 2024 |
| Michigan Ross School of Business | 04 April 2024 | 03 May 2024 |
| Virginia Darden | 03 April 2024 | 01 May 2024 |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 27 February 2024 | 05 April 2024 |
| Stanford GSB | 09 April 2024 | 23 May 2024 |
| NYU Stern | 18 January 2024 | 01 April 2024 |
| INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 2024 | 27 June 2023 | 01 September 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA August Intake 2024 | 16 January 2024 | 22 March 2024 |
| INSEAD MBA January Intake 2025 | 18 June 2024 | 23 August 2024 |
| Yale SoM | 09 April 2024 | 16 May 2024 |
| Cambridge (Judge) | 08 January 2024 | – |
| UCLA (Anderson) | 12 April 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
| UC Berkeley (Haas) | 28 March 2024 | 02 May 2024 |
| UT Austin (McCombs) | 26 March 2024 | 01 May 2024 |
| Carnegie Mellon – Tepper | 4 March 2024 | 08 May 2024 |
| Georgetown (McDonough) | 26 March 2024 | 01 May 2024 |
| London Business School | 25 March 2024 | 07 June 2024 |
| MIT (Sloan) | 08 April 2024 | 16 May 2024 |
| Oxford | 20 March 2024 | 17 May 2024 |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | 04 March 2024 | 22 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 Business | 4 April 2024 | 10 May 2024 |
| Vanderbilt Owen | 15 May 2024 | Rolling admission |
| NYU Stern | 18 April 2024 | Ongoing |
| INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 2024 | 08 August 2023 | 06 October 2023 |
| INSEAD MBA August Intake 2024 | 05 March 2024 | 10 May 2024 |
| INSEAD MBA January Intake 2025 | 06 August 2024 | 11 October 2024 |
| Cambridge (Judge) | 11 March 2024 | – |
| UT Austin (McCombs) | 28 May 2024 | 12 July 2024 |
| Carnegie Mellon – Tepper | 06 May 2024 | 05 June 2024 |
| Georgetown (McDonough) | 30 April 2024 | 29 May 2024 |
| UNC Kenan-Flagler | 29 April 2024 | 20 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?
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:
- Application Readiness
- Target Business School Ranking
- 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?
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
