The MBA Application season is in full swing, with several top business schools having announced their MBA Application Deadlines for Fall intake 2021.
In this article, we have collated the 2020-2021 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.
Here is a brief outline of this article:
MBA Application Deadlines 2020- 2021
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we can expect this year’s MBA Admissions to be very competitive. Why? Generally, when the economy goes down, applications to business schools go up. This might be the case for MBA intake 2021.
Besides, due to uncertainty, many MBA aspirants that were planning to apply for September 2020 intake might apply for 2021.
Also, many business schools are offering deferred enrolment to their MBA batch 2020 due to travel restrictions and difficulty in gaining visas which might lead to an increased application for 2021 intake. However, there is a risk for international and Indian students who will be applying to 2021 intake in the US.
Check out how Covid-19 Pandemic had affected Business Schools and MBA Aspitants/ current students.
The current US Visa rules state that if a student who is currently enrolled in programs that are entirely online for the Fall semester (2020) will have to come back home. There is a possibility that this might discourage International MBA Application for 2021 intake.
According to Poets and Quants, admissions consultants are already reporting that they are seeing an increase in both bookings and interest of candidates who intend to apply in Round 1 MBA Application deadlines in September 2020.
There are only a handful of business schools that have announced their new application deadline and forms. You can click on the essay topic links to check out MBA Essay tips for each business school.
Here are the latest MBA Application Deadlines 2020 -2021 of top MBA Programs:
Business School | MBA application Round | MBA Application Deadline | Final Decision | Essay Topic Release |
Harvard Business School | Round 1 | September 8, 2020 | December 10, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 5, 2021 | March 30, 2021 | ||
Wharton | Round 1 | September 15, 2020 | December 16, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 5, 2021 | March 25, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 31, 2021 | May 11, 2021 | ||
Columbia Business School | Round 1 | April 9, 2021 | Rolling | Yes |
Kellogg School of Management | Round 1 | September 16, 2020 | December 9, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 6, 2021 | March 24, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 7, 2021 | May 12, 2021 | ||
Chicago Booth School of Business | Round 1 | September 24, 2020 | December 3, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 12, 2021 | March 18, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 1, 2021 | May 20, 2021 | ||
Dartmouth Tuck School of Business | Round 1 | September 28, 2020 | December 10, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 4, 2021 | March 18, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 29, 2021 | May 6, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | Rolling from April 1 – June 1, 2021 | Rolling from May 10 – July 1, 2021 | ||
Duke Fuqua School of Business | Early Decision | September 23, 2020 | October 27, 2020 | Yes |
Round 1 | October 20, 2020 | December 18, 2020 | ||
Round 2 | January 7, 2021 | March 20, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 26, 2021 | April 30, 2021 | ||
Michigan Ross School of Business | Round 1 | September 14, 2020 | December 2, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 4, 2021 | March 17, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 29, 2021 | May 5, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | June 1, 2021 | June 25, 2021 | ||
Virginia Darden | Round 1 | October 5, 2020 | Rolling | Yes |
Round 2 | January 4, 2021 | |||
Round 3 | April 7, 2021 | |||
Vanderbilt Owen | Round 1 | October 12, 2020 | December 18, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 11, 2021 | March 26, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 29, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | May 15, 2021 | Rolling | ||
Stanford GSB | Round 1 | September 15, 2020 | December 10, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 6, 2021 | April 1, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 6, 2021 | May 20, 2021 | ||
NYU Stern | Round 1 | October 15, 2020 | January 1, 2021 | Yes |
Round 2 | November 15, 2020 | February 1, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | January 15, 2021 | April 1, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | March 15, 2021 | June 1, 2021 | ||
INSEAD (One-year MBA) | Round 1 | September 11, 2020 | November 29, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | November 6, 2020 | January 22, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | January 8, 2021 | March 19, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | February 26, 2021 | May 7, 2021 | ||
Notre Dame (Mendoza) | Early Decision | Early Decision: September 15, 2020 | October 30, 2020 | Yes |
Round 1 | October 13, 2020 | December 4, 2020 | ||
Round 2 | January 12, 2021 | March 12, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | February 23, 2021 | April 16, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | April 6, 2021 | Rolling | ||
Yale SoM | Round 1 | September 15, 2020 | December 8, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 7, 2021 | March 26, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 13, 2021 | May 18, 2021 | ||
Cambridge (Judge) | Round 1 | September 7, 2020 | Rolling | Yes |
Round 2 | October 19, 2020 | |||
Round 3 | January 11, 2021 | |||
Round 4 | March 8, 2021 | |||
Round 5 | April 26, 2021 | |||
UCLA (Anderson) | Round 1 | October 2, 2020 | December 18, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 8, 2021 | March 26, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 16, 2021 | May 21, 2021 | ||
UC Berkeley (Haas) | Round 1 | September 24, 2020 | December 17, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 14, 2021 | March 25, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | April 5, 2021 | May 13, 2021 | ||
UT Austin (McCombs) | Round 1 | October 13, 2020 | December 17, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | January 5, 2021 | March 25, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | March 30, 2021 | May 6, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | May 11, 2021 | June 17, 2021 | ||
Rice (Jones) | Round 1 | October 16, 2020 | To be decided | Yes |
Round 2 | January 5, 2021 | |||
Round 3 | April 15, 2021 (Domestic) | |||
Round 4 | April 1, 2021 (International) | |||
Georgia Tech (Scheller) | Round 1 | October 1, 2020 | November 20, 2020 | Yes |
Round 2 | December 4, 2020 | February 1, 2021 | ||
Round 3 | February 2, 2021 | March 19, 2021 | ||
Round 4 | April 1, 2021 | May 14, 2021 | ||
Round 5 | June 1, 2021 | Rolling |
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How many Rounds are there to get into the Top MBA Programs?
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:
- 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.
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.
Taking the GMAT 2-3 months before the application deadline is important. If you are planning to take the GMAT, we can help you with a personalized study plan and give you access to quality online content to prepare. Write to us at acethegmat@e-gmat.com. We are the most reviewed GMAT prep company on GmatClub with more than 1900 reviews.
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FAQs – MBA Application Deadline
Most of the top business schools MBA Application deadlines for Round 1 in September 2020. 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 2020 – 2021 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 ans 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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