2021-2022 MBA application deadlines for Rounds 1,2,3, and 4

The MBA Application season is in full swing, with several top business schools having announced their MBA Application Deadlines for the 2022 intake.

In this article, we have collated the 2021-2022 MBA application deadlines for round 1, round 2, and round 3 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.

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MBA Application Deadlines 2021- 2022

With most business schools planning an on-campus start to the fall of 2021, the impact of the pandemic is diminishing. The pandemic had affected how business schools follow their MBA application process, and a new type of ‘normal’ took place.

The success of many virtual events has convinced the admission officials at most schools to continue with a full schedule of online info sessions for would-be applicants.

According to Soojin Kwon, managing director of full-time MBA admissions at Michigan Ross – “The world is not going to be normal again yet. This admissions cycle, we are looking at another virtual recruiting year for the foreseeable future.”

She also pointed out that with the world going virtual, they could connect with more candidates in places that they had never gone before.  Moreover, now candidates can attend conferences and other events hosted by business school students from anywhere in the world, offering them a great advantage.

At Dartmouth Tuck, campus visits and tours for prospective applicants will begin in September, and they are offering in-person visits. However, one thing that will be different this application round is that all interviews for 2021 -2022 applicants will be conducted virtually. According to the co-executive director of Tuck Admissions, he states in an interview with Poets and Quants that, they found that virtual interviews gave them great insight into candidates. As the world has gotten accustomed to Zoom, candidates have become more comfortable with the virtual format.

Kickstarting the MBA Application process 2021-2022

Harvard business school kicked off the 2021-2022 admissions season with around one and two deadlines of 8^th September 2021 and 4^th January 2022, respectively, to apply for its Class of 2024. Stanford’s GBS round 1 and 2 deadlines are also around the same time. The majority of the business schools’ round 1 deadlines are in September 2021.

Business schools like NYU Stern, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Michigan Ross, Kellogg, and many more offer three rounds of MBA application, with interviews on rolling invitations.

In general, most business schools keep their application like the previous year, with some tweaks. For instance, The University of Michigan Ross School of Business has reduced its number of essay questions from three to two. In contrast, Kellogg School of Management has added a new video question to its application – “Share your resilience with us.”

Business schools like UVA Darden, Kelly School of business, and NYU Stern continue to offer MBA applicants the option to request a waiver of its standardized test requirement for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

MBA Application Deadline – Early Action

MBA Application deadline – Round 1

Here are the Round 1 MBA application deadlines 2021 – 2022 for top business schools:

MBA Application deadline – Round 2

Here are the Round 2 MBA application deadlines 2021 – 2022 for top business schools:

MBA Application deadline – Round 3

Here are the Round 3 MBA application deadlines 2021 – 2022 for top business schools:

MBA Application deadline – Round 4

Here are the Round $ MBA application deadlines 2021 – 2022 for top business schools:

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MBA Application Rounds

As you can see from the table above, generally, there are three rounds. However, few business schools like Georgia Tech Scheller, Rice Jones, 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:

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.

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.

MBA Admission Deadlines: 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 as to 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 Deadline?

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 2160+ reviews on GMATClub

FAQs – MBA application deadlines