Round 1 vs Round 2 vs Round 3

If you cant do R1 go for R2. Some schools also have rolling admissions.

General consensus is apply as soon as your application is ready, but that R3 has a lower acceptance rate when compared with R1 and R2.

There is no real data (that I have seen at least) on how many spots are taken after R1, or R2, etc.

Applying either in R1, or R2, and you should have a relatively equal shot.

~Sam

Round 1 is statistically definitely the easiest, our experience on here last year backs that up. The quality of the applicant and application probably does have something to do with that though. Many people applying R1 have been putting a lot of time into the b-school thing so they may be more qualified or at least better prepared. I also tend to think that in a time with huge jumps in applications schools arent sure how the different rounds will play out so they play it safe, probably a lot of WL folks are the people who in past years would have made it in.

That said apply to the earliest round you are ready, but remember applying in R3 (or R4 at some schools) is nearly impossible. Some schools are almost completely full and a person on the WL who is equal to you will get in over you most likely.

Thanks for all the comments. Unfortunately, given my time constraints, I won't be able to make the R1 cutoff line. I really hope that applying in R2 won't put me in a disadvantage position.

you should be ok in most R2's (except MIT, which only has 2 rounds). But know that your chance will be slightly lower than R1.