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rsedwik
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Location: India
Schools: Wharton '26
GMAT Focus 1: 645 Q85 V82 DI79
GMAT Focus 2: 745 Q90 V89 DI82
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice Updated on: 15 Jul 2025, 19:14
Originally posted by rsedwik on 01 Jul 2025, 11:15.
Last edited by rsedwik on 15 Jul 2025, 19:14, edited 1 time in total.
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Hi everyone,
Looking for strategic advice on application timing given my current situation.

Profile:
  • Education: Engineering from top Indian institute, graduated 2022 (7.0 GPA)
  • Work Experience: 4 years for 2026 inatke working at a major tech company in silicon hardware/architecture
  • GMAT Focus: 645, planning retake soon -- 745 (latest score)
  • Target Career: Consulting, product management
  • Geography: US/Europe


The Question:
With R1 deadlines approaching fast, I'm debating:
  1. R1 approach - tight timeline but potentially better odds
  2. R2 approach - more prep time, likely better test score

Key Concerns:
  • How significant is the R1 advantage for competitive demographics?
  • Do scholarship opportunities materially decrease in R2?
  • Is a rushed but early application better than a polished later one?

Target Schools: Mix of M7 and T15 programs and top schools in europe
For those who've been through this decision or have insights on round dynamics, would really appreciate your thoughts on the trade-offs.
Thanks!
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pintukr
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 01 Jul 2025, 12:38
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The odd generally remain the same. If you are ready with the GMAT score, you should apply early.
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 01 Jul 2025, 21:48
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Hi rsedwik,

645 is unfortunately not competitive for T15 with an Indian Tech background, so I think R2 may be the better option.
Most Indian students at Ross, Fuqua, Yale have a 695+ score. Sorry.
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 01 Jul 2025, 22:05
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Hi! With an Indian tech background, R1 is usually safer if your profile is ready—schools get more saturated with similar profiles by R2. That said, it’s better to apply in R2 with a stronger app (GMAT, essays, reco, story) than rush R1.

You can also consider a mix: apply to your top-choice schools in R1 and the rest in R2.

Pankaj Jindal | GMAT Classic 730 | IIM Bangalore | Helping working professionals
Success story: https://gmatclub.com/forum/how-i-scored ... l#p3588949
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 01 Jul 2025, 23:51
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Hi rsedwik,

645 is not good enough considering the league of schools you are targeting (and the fact that you belong to an overrepresented pool of applicants). The improvement should be significant (try aiming for a 705+).

To answer your questions:
-R1 has an advantage; while one cannot quantify the advantage, it exists in terms of chances of admission and scholarship.
-Yes, chances of scholarship are always higher in Round 1.
-No, a rushed application (at any point) is not a good idea.

In your case, since the improvement we are looking for is significant, you might need to move your application to Round 2.

All the best!
rsedwik
Hi everyone,
Looking for strategic advice on application timing given my current situation.

Profile:
  • Education: Engineering from top Indian institute, graduated 2022 (7.0 GPA)
  • Work Experience: 4 years for 2026 inatke working at a major tech company in silicon hardware/architecture
  • GMAT Focus: 645, planning retake soon
  • Target Career: Consulting, product management
  • Geography: US/Europe


The Question:
With R1 deadlines approaching fast, I'm debating:
  1. R1 approach - tight timeline but potentially better odds
  2. R2 approach - more prep time, likely better test score

Key Concerns:
  • How significant is the R1 advantage for competitive demographics?
  • Do scholarship opportunities materially decrease in R2?
  • Is a rushed but early application better than a polished later one?

Target Schools: Mix of M7 and T15 programs and top schools in europe
For those who've been through this decision or have insights on round dynamics, would really appreciate your thoughts on the trade-offs.
Thanks!
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admitStreet
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 02 Jul 2025, 00:51
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rsedwik - Considering your target programs, a 645 won't make it. Aim for atleast 30+ points higher to improve your odds.

While applying early has an advantage, applying in R2 with a stronger application (i.e. score, essays, etc.) is better than applying in R1 with a weaker application.

All the best!

Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Testimonials
W: https://admitstreet.com | Request a free profile evaluation­

rsedwik
Hi everyone,
Looking for strategic advice on application timing given my current situation.

Profile:
  • Education: Engineering from top Indian institute, graduated 2022 (7.0 GPA)
  • Work Experience: 4 years for 2026 inatke working at a major tech company in silicon hardware/architecture
  • GMAT Focus: 645, planning retake soon
  • Target Career: Consulting, product management
  • Geography: US/Europe


The Question:
With R1 deadlines approaching fast, I'm debating:
  1. R1 approach - tight timeline but potentially better odds
  2. R2 approach - more prep time, likely better test score

Key Concerns:
  • How significant is the R1 advantage for competitive demographics?
  • Do scholarship opportunities materially decrease in R2?
  • Is a rushed but early application better than a polished later one?

Target Schools: Mix of M7 and T15 programs and top schools in europe
For those who've been through this decision or have insights on round dynamics, would really appreciate your thoughts on the trade-offs.
Thanks!
Show more
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TheRedPen
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 07 Jul 2025, 21:56
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rsedwik
Hi everyone,
Looking for strategic advice on application timing given my current situation.

Profile:
  • Education: Engineering from top Indian institute, graduated 2022 (7.0 GPA)
  • Work Experience: 4 years for 2026 inatke working at a major tech company in silicon hardware/architecture
  • GMAT Focus: 645, planning retake soon
  • Target Career: Consulting, product management
  • Geography: US/Europe


The Question:
With R1 deadlines approaching fast, I'm debating:
  1. R1 approach - tight timeline but potentially better odds
  2. R2 approach - more prep time, likely better test score

Key Concerns:
  • How significant is the R1 advantage for competitive demographics?
  • Do scholarship opportunities materially decrease in R2?
  • Is a rushed but early application better than a polished later one?

Target Schools: Mix of M7 and T15 programs and top schools in europe
For those who've been through this decision or have insights on round dynamics, would really appreciate your thoughts on the trade-offs.
Thanks!
Show more
Hi rsedwik,

645 is not competitive for the programs you are targeting, especially being an Indian applicant with a tech background - you would be part of an overrepresented candidate pool. You should aim to score a 685+ to remain competitive.
Scholarship chances are typically higher in Round 1. However, you should apply once you have feel you have the strongest application. A higher GMAT score would be crucial and hence moving your application to Round 2 and applying with a higher score might be better.

Feel free to book a free call with our MBA experts for a more detailed discussion. You can also contact us directly at team.mba@theredpen.com or +91-7780769732.
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LemonEd
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R1 vs R2 Strategy - Indian Tech Background - Need Advice 08 Jul 2025, 22:49
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Hi

Thanks for sharing your profile. It looks like you’re in a solid position, and with a bit of planning, you can make the most of the upcoming deadlines.

Given your timeline, I would suggest preparing your applications with Round 1 as your goal while you continue working on improving your GMAT score. That way, if you hit your target score in time, you’re ready to apply in Round 1. If not, you can carry your momentum into Round 2 without losing time. The key is to start now.

To address your concerns:

R1 vs R2: For overrepresented profiles like Indian engineers, Round 1 can offer a modest advantage. Admissions committees have more seats to fill, so they may be slightly more flexible. That said, strong candidates are admitted in both rounds. You will not be at a disadvantage if your application is better in Round 2.

Scholarships: Some schools do allocate a portion of their merit-based scholarships in Round 1, but many still award generously in Round 2. The drop-off is not dramatic. A well-prepared application in Round 2 can still compete strongly for funding.

Quality vs Timing: A rushed application rarely does justice to your story. Admissions teams look for depth, clarity, and alignment. If you need the extra time to improve your GMAT and strengthen your essays, Round 2 may serve you better. But if you can manage both, starting now gives you a chance to explore Round 1 selectively.

Wishing you the very best for your GMAT retake. It sounds like you already have strong experience, so a more competitive score could make a big difference. In the meantime, begin working on your school research and story development so you stay ahead.

If you’d like a second opinion on your strategy or profile, happy to connect.

Prashant Pinge, ISB ’02
Founder & Principal Consultant, LemonEd
🌐 http://www.LemonEd.in | ✉️ info@LemonEd.in | 🔍 Request a free profile evaluation
LemonEd is a boutique, results-driven MBA admissions consulting firm helping applicants gain acceptance to the world’s top B-schools.