Best Time To Apply - Round 1 or 2???

From what I've heard, scholarships are more or less evenly split between R1 and R2...obviously the earlier you apply (with a strong application) the better.

Posted from my mobile device

I *cannot* stress this enough, but when deciding between R1 and R2, there is no "right" or "better" round to apply. As mentioned above, the best round for you would be when your application is most ready. However, TRY NOT TO apply R3.

Assuming the strength of your application is the same between R1 and R2, then obviously go with R1!

I was reading some where that apps in R1 do have a slightly better chance. And I personally think so as well. If you're ready I'd suggest you go for R1. Just my 2 cents!

The only school that specifically encourages people to apply in R1 vs. R2 is Stanford. If you are not applying to Stanford then apply when YOU are ready. If that is in R2 then so be it. I split my applications between R1 (Kellogg) and R2 (Stanford, Booth, Wharton) last year. I got into Kellogg, Booth, and Wharton. I do not think that the round in which I applied made any difference. I submitted my apps when they were ready.

If you think you will have something substantial (promotion, significant EC accomplishment, higher GMAT, completed class) to add to the application after R1 deadlines then wait until R2 to apply. If your application would be the same in either round then pull the trigger and apply in R1. In my opinion the competitiveness of the rounds is equal, albeit in different ways. R1 tends to attract a lot of very strong candidates. These tend to be the people who have their stuff together early because they've been preparing for apps for the last 2 years. R2 has a much higher application volume, but I think it's probably diluted a bit in terms of strength of candidacy. So you have to decide if you want to go up against the proverbial "rock stars" in R1 or take your chances with a larger applicant pool in R2. Hope this helps.

While it is best to apply in the round were your application is ready, for candidates from competitive pools (like Indians or Indian IT male), I've heard that applying in Round 1 is much much better(provided your application is complete). Any thoughts?