It is hard to believe that December is upon us and the first round 2 application deadline is just under four weeks away (see deadline summary below). While this holiday season will be different and difficult for all of us, this time of year can be particularly challenging for those of you working on your MBA applications.
Round 2 MBA Deadlines:
- Columbia Business School: Rolling
- Michigan Ross: January 4, 2021
- UVA Darden: January 4, 2021
- Dartmouth Tuck: January 4, 2021
- Harvard Business School: January 5, 2021
- Wharton: January 5, 2021
- London Business School: January 5, 2021
- Cornell Johnson: January 5, 2021
- Stanford GSB: January 6, 2021
- Kellogg: January 6, 2021
- Yale SOM: January 7, 2021
- Duke Fuqua: January 7, 2021
- UCLA Anderson: January 8, 2021
- Chicago Booth: January 12, 2021
- Berkeley Haas: January 14, 2021
- NYU Stern: January 15, 2021 (R3)
- MIT Sloan: January 19, 2021
You may be doubting whether you can get everything done in time. Personal MBA Coach prides itself on offering honest feedback, so here is the good, the bad and the ugly!
The Good News:
Many of you can still meet early January deadlines! Wondering if you really can work your magic and finish in time? Ask yourself these 4 questions:
1) Have I already narrowed down my school list?
2) Have I taken (or am I prepared to take) the GMAT/GRE?
3) Have I already selected and prepared my recommenders?
4) Have I set aside a large portion of my holiday vacation to work on my applications?
If you have answered yes to most or all of these questions, do not despair! Even if you have not put pencil to paper (so to speak) for your essays, resume and short answer questions, with the proper dedication, you can still finish on time.
We have successfully guided candidates with a shortened timeline in applying for a limited number of schools (and adding schools in future rounds or years as needed). But do not wait much longer!
The Bad News:
If you answered no to a few of these questions, you have your work cut out for you; honestly, you may not be ready this year. In this case, particularly if you have not finished your testing and do not have recommenders nailed down or schools identified, ask yourself how crucial it is that you apply THIS year.
If now really is your time (perhaps you have 4+ years of experience and have plateaued at work or 2021 is an ideal year, personally, for you to start school), you may be able to meet the challenge.
However, if you do not feel this level of urgency, Personal MBA Coach generally advises candidates to apply when they can submit the strongest applications, which might not be now. While you can successfully reapply, each application remains on record; therefore, we do not advise submitting applications to which you have not given at least 100%.
The Ugly News:
If you answered no to all of the questions above, January 4 is not realistic for you (though some schools offer mid/late January deadlines that could still be feasible). This is particularly true if holiday obligations will prevent you from dedicating the majority of your time to your applications.
Regardless of which boat you are in this year, there is still plenty that you can do now. Even if you do not end up hitting submit in January, early planning can always work in your favor.
Still not sure which bucket you fall into, or need additional help? Contact Personal MBA Coach today!
You also may like these additional blog posts:
Short Answer Questions, Optional Essays and Videos
The MBA Job Market Bounces Back
Harvard Business School, Wharton, Chicago Booth & Yale SOM Admit With $244K Scholarship
