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There are different perspectives on whether applying to business school during Round 3 MBA is a good idea or not. By the third round, many programs have already picked the majority of their class, and your prospects of getting into your preferred institutions grow lower. The gap between Round 3 and next year’s (Round 1) is shorter, and that is the reason applicants are caught between the two options and are unclear whether to defer their application for the following year’s intake (round 1) or apply for Round 3 this year.
So, at this point, the dilemma arises: should we go for Round 3 MBA, or should we delay our MBA application to the next year?
We realize that there are a few blockers in the path during round 3, and the question arises in the mind of the adcoms, like why this late? Why particular schools? Are you applying because you were rejected by one of the top B-schools and are exploring your choices at the current schools?
We will tackle these questions in this article and provide you with a possible solution on which route you should choose.
Here is an overview of the article:
What are Round 3 MBA application cycles?
Round 3 MBA is the most challenging round of the MBA application process because most spaces have already been filled in Rounds 1 and 2, making it difficult to crack the code. If you were unable to apply earlier due to GMAT preparation or a job assignment that you could not postpone, you must ask yourself, Is it even worth applying this late in the game to get started, or should I wait until next year's round?"
R3 is usually chosen by candidates when:
1. They didn’t make it through both R1 and R2.
2. They did not receive the expected GMAT/GRE results on time.
3. Personal circumstance that prevented them from applying in R1 and R2.
Alternatively, if you need assistance, let us assist you in determining which round will be ideal for you based on the facts of every aspects.
Is Round 3 MBA effective?
Before we go into the segment, let's speak about a point: the odds of being accepted diminish as the rounds proceed. This indicates that MBA admission rates in round 3 are often lower than in rounds 1 and 2. Similarly, grants and scholarships become more challenging to come by later in the admissions process. This is a truth that you cannot alter, but it does not imply that you should squander an opportunity and pass up the possibility to be admitted to B-schools. If you do not apply, your prospects of approval are nil. If you do, they are more than zero.
If we look at the statistics of many well-known B-schools, we can find that most of the b-schools' acceptance rate is still higher, which shows that around 3 still means something to those institutions, and they still want students for their schools.
| B-Schools | Acceptance Rate in Round 3 |
|---|---|
| Stanford Graduate of Business School | 2% |
| Harvard Business School | 4% |
| Booth School of Business | 15% |
| MIT | NA |
| Kellogg School of Management | 20% |
| Haas | 20% |
| Columbia Business School | NA |
| Tuck School of Business | 22% |
| NYU | 21% |
| Darden School of Business | 16% |
You must be startled by these schools' acceptance rates; this is why Round 3 is worth a try; you won't lose anything, but if you don't apply, you will surely miss out on the chance to go past Round 3 and into one of the best B-schools.
Should I postpone my MBA application till next year or apply in round 3 MBA?
Deferring your application will almost certainly cause you to miss out on an already given opportunity. Since no one knows what the future holds, we should seize the opportunity before it is too late.
Why and who should apply for the third round?
After being rejected in Rounds 1 or 2, candidates do not want to wait until the following year and give their best in this round.
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Applicants with a unique history (for example, you come from a non-traditional industry or have gained outstanding distinction in your profession) will most likely stand out from the crowd and be evaluated for admittance.
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If you are a genuinely remarkable candidate in statistics, diversity, and experience, you should apply to R3/R4. Not everyone gets denied (otherwise, there would be no late rounds), and if anyone is going to get in, it will be those with excellent profiles.
International candidates are often discouraged from applying during Round 3 MBA since getting the proper papers authorized in time to attend school in the fall might be difficult.
If you believe you require comprehensive guidance to Round 3 MBA, please see a detailed article about Round 3 MBA here.
ROUND 3 MBA Deadlines
| Date | School | Round | Step of Process |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 24, 2022 | Duke (Fuqua) | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| March 28, 2022 | Dartmouth (Tuck) | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| March 29, 2022 | the University of Texas at Austin ( McCombs) | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| March 30, 2022 | Wharton School | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| April 6, 2022 | Northwestern (Kellogg) | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| April 6, 2022 | Virginia-Darden | Round 3 | Submission Deadline |
| April 7, 2022 | Chicago Booth | Round 3 | Submission Deadline |
| April 7, 2022 | UC Berkeley(Haas) | Round 3 | Interview Decision Sent |
| April 12, 2022 | MIT Sloan | Round 3 | Application must be submitted by |
| April 12, 2022 | UCLA (Anderson) | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
| April 12, 2022 | Yale SOM | Round 3 | Application Deadline |
Even after looking at all of the factors, some candidates are quite sure about their application and believe they can make it through round 3 and into their target school. There are a few things they should keep in mind for those applicants.
How can you maximize your Round 3 MBA chances?
Remember, admissions committees are often interested as to why you did not apply earlier in the season during the more popular rounds. This question is only to see whether you're applying because you didn't get into other institutions. Mention all of the significant factors that contributed to the missed initial rounds in your Round 3 MBA application.
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Don't overlook the fundamentals- Never take any round for granted, prepare for Round 3 MBA as if it were round 1, pay attention to all the fundamentals, and avoid ignorance.
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If you're applying for a Round 3 MBA, your story must be exceptional. In the third round, b-schools are looking for individuals who can add variety to the incoming class.
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Highlight Experience (Work) - You must extensively highlight your job experience because it is the essential aspect of your Round 3 MBA application. You must illustrate the challenges and obstacles you have faced, as well as how you have solved them and contributed to the success of your firm. Pick out the pain areas from your experience and tie them to the basic principles of the target schools.
These are a few of the most crucial factors to consider before proceeding to the third round.
We provide you with a thorough guide on how to increase your chances of making it through round 3, with step-by-step instructions.
Should an International Candidate go for round 3 MBA applications?
Everyone wants their profile to be more powerful and noticeable. Thus our Round 3 MBA article focuses on the dos and don'ts of the Round 3 MBA application procedure.
What may be the cause for you missing or being rejected from two rounds? And without knowing those gaps, there's no reason to apply for Round 3 MBA because you'll be left again; NO, we're not trying to discourage you, we're just trying to tell you what needs to be done, sometimes what applicants think is right can wrong in the eyes of the admission committee, which is why you need professional help.
And here at MBA and beyond, we'll look into everything about you to give you the greatest chance possible; we'll look for holes and fill them with creative ideas and concepts, so what are you waiting for? Book a call with one of our experts to obtain a free profile review and determine whether you should Round 3 MBA or Defer your MBA for the next year.
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Frequently asked questions
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What is the Round 3 MBA acceptance rate?
Various colleges have different acceptance rates; below are some examples of college acceptance rates. The actual acceptance rate at the prestigious B-schools is roughly around 22 percent; the preceding article provides a complete structure of acceptance rate and college deadlines. -
Is it worth applying for Round 3 MBA?
Isn't everything done for a reason? , subsequent rounds are created for candidates who do not make it through the early rounds to encourage everyone to apply to their preferred school, Round 3 is for people denied in round 1 or 2 due to particular gaps but have now addressed them and are ready to take their place. -
Can you defer your MBA by a year?
Isn't everything done for a reason? , subsequent rounds are created for candidates who do not make it through the early games to encourage everyone to apply to their preferred school; Round 3 is for people denied in round 1 or 2 due to particular gaps but have now addressed them and are ready to take their place.
