walker777,
Although it is possible to apply to the third round, it is across the board quite challenging to receive an admit from a top program in Round 3. Simply put, the admissions committee has two jobs when they put together a class. The first is to evaluate each and every application and decide whether an applicant is qualified. The second task is selection. This is how they end up with a diverse class of qualified students. Every consultant that applies may be qualified, but there is no way that they will all get in. In the third round, the task of selection becomes a larger part of the process because most of the class is composed, and now they need to fill in the "holes". So, if you are fortunate enough to be the female Olympic swimmer from Thailand that they are looking for, your chances will greatly increase. The bar is not raised on credentials, however. I will also say that it is somewhat easier to get into a slightly lower ranked school in the third round because of the trickle up, of applicants turning down a Haas for a Stanford, for example. Thus, Haas has the open spot in a later round. So, go in with your eyes open, apply to a range of schools, and give it your best shot. No different strategy should be employed in terms of positioning.
Hope this was of help!
Cheers,
Conrad and the
Stacy Blackman Team