Payal Tandon
Co-founder, e-GMAT
Welcome to e-GMAT Support!
I am Payal, Co-Founder of e-GMAT.
Feel free to ask any Query.
Thank you for your query.
We will be contacting you soon on

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

2023 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 2023 intake.

In this article, we have collated the 2023 GMAT 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 2500+ reviews on GMATClub

MBA Application deadline 2023

MBA Application Deadlines 2023

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.

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 2023

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.”

MBA Application – Early Action

Business School Early ActionDecision
Columbia Business School (August Entry)28 September 202205 April 2022
Duke Fuqua School of Business07 September 202220 October 2022
Virginia Darden08 September 202219 October 2022

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 2500+ reviews on GMATClub

MBA Application – Round 1

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

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Harvard Business School07 September 202208 December 2022
Wharton 07 September 202215 December 2022
Columbia Business School (August Entry)*28 September 202205 April 2023
Kellogg School of Management14 September 202214 December 2022
Chicago Booth School of Business22 September 202201 December 2022
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business26 September 202208 December 2022
Duke Fuqua School of Business26 September 202208 December 2022
Michigan Ross School of Business19 September 202209 December 2022
Virginia Darden05 October 202207 December 2022
Vanderbilt Owen11 October 202216 December 2022
Stanford GSB13 September 202208 December 2022
NYU Stern15 September 202201 December 2022
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202301 March 202206 May 2022
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202306 September 202210 November 2022
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202407 March 202312 May 2023
Yale SoM13 September 202206 December 2022
Cambridge (Judge)**05 September 2022 –
UCLA (Anderson)05 October 202214 December 2022
UC Berkeley (Haas)22 September 202215 December 2022
UT Austin (McCombs)11 October 202215 December 2022
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper02 October 202207 December 2022
Georgetown (McDonough)28 September 202208 December 2022
London Business School09 September 202201 December 2022
MIT (Sloan)29 September 202214 December 2022
Oxford31 August 202226 October 2022
UNC Kenan-Flagler10 October 202212 December 2022

*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 2023 for top business schools:

Business School MBA Application Deadline  Decision 
Harvard Business School04 January 202329 March 2023
Wharton 04 January 202323 March 2023
Kellogg School of Management10 January 202328 March 2023
Chicago Booth School of Business05 January 202323 March 2023
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business04 January 202316 March 2023
Duke Fuqua School of Business05 January 202310 March 2023
Michigan Ross School of Business09 January 202317 March 2023
Virginia Darden05 January 202315 March 2023
Vanderbilt Owen09 January 202324 March 2023
Stanford GSB05 January 202330 March 2023
NYU Stern15 October 202201 January 2023
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202319 April 202224 June 2022
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202315 November 202220 January 2023
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202418 April 202323 June 2023
Yale SoM05 January 202324 March 2023
Cambridge (Judge)17 October 2022 –
UCLA (Anderson)04 January 202322 March 2023
UC Berkeley (Haas)05 January 202323 March 2023
UT Austin (McCombs)05 January 202323 March 2023
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper05 January 202308 March 2023
Georgetown (McDonough)05 January 202321 March 2023
London Business School05 January 202305 April 2023
MIT (Sloan)18 January 202303 April 2023
Oxford12 October 202207 December 2022
UNC Kenan-Flagler09 January 202313 March 2023

MBA Application – Round 3

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

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Wharton 29 March 202310 May 2023
Kellogg School of Management05 April 202310 May 2023
Chicago Booth School of Business11 April 202325 May 2023
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business27 March 202304 May 2023
Duke Fuqua School of Business28 March 202302 May 2023
Michigan Ross School of Business03 April 202305 May 2023
Virginia Darden05 April 202303 May 2023
Vanderbilt Owen31 March 202305 May 2023
NYU Stern15 January 202301 April 2023
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202314 June 202219 August 2022
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202210 January 202317 March 2023
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202427 June 202301 September 2023
Yale SoM11 April 202318 May 2023
Cambridge (Judge)09 January 2023 –
UCLA (Anderson)12 April 202317 May 2023
UC Berkeley (Haas)06 April 202311 May 2023
UT Austin (McCombs)28 March 202304 May 2023
Carnegie Mellon – Tepper12 March 202303 May 2023
Georgetown (McDonough)30 March 202304 May 2023
London Business School27 March 202309 June 2023
MIT (Sloan)11 April 202318 May 2023
Oxford04 January 202308 March 2023
UNC Kenan-Flagler27 February 202324 April 2023

MBA Application – Round 4

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

Business School MBA Application Deadline Decision 
Vanderbilt Owen10 May 2023Rolling admission
NYU Stern15 March 202301 June 2023
INSEAD MBA Jan Intake 202326 July 202223 September 2022
INSEAD MBA August Intake 202307 March 202312 May 2023
INSEAD MBA January Intake 202408 August 202308 September 2023
Cambridge (Judge)06 March 2023 –
Georgetown (McDonough)02 May 202331 May 2023
Oxford22 March 202317 May 2023
UNC Kenan-Flagler17 April 202322 May 2023

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 2500+ 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 2500+ 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 2500+ reviews on GMATClub

FAQs – MBA application deadlines

When should you apply for MBA Fall 2022?

Most of the top business school’s MBA Application deadlines for Round 1 in September 2022. 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 2023 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.

About The Author

Don't limit yourself!

Take a free diagnostic
SIGma-X mock test

Gauge your section-wise ability and get started with your GMAT prep!
Adaptive mock test with ESR+ analysis
400+ Practice questions with detailed solutions
10+ hours of AI-driven video lessons
Take the first step to score 740+