R3,R4 application for European/UK B-schools

Question

Hey folks, long time observer, first time poster here. So I've recently started prepping for GMAT (very seriously), and plan on applying to a few schools in R3/R4/R5. The schools I have in mind are INSEAD, HEC Paris,IESE, LBS, ESADE, Said, Judge.

I come from a overrepresented pool of applicants, and not really sure if I should give a shot at later rounds or wait for the following year? I'm currently 31, and I have a fear that I might be a bit too late if I apply in the next cycle. What would you folks do? I plan to give my GMAT in Jan 2023, and might just have a month or two to work on applications of most B-schools. Looking for perspectives and POVs.

pintukr · Answer

Still 4 months to go till December. Plan to appear in early December, and take a shot at R2.

Archit3110 · Answer

you can apply in any round except last two if you are an international student , because visa is a hustle and its issuance is on time is unpredictable especially after result announcement of r4/5 rounds

Suraj0184 · Answer

Please post the web link to R3/R4 deadlines.

Admissionado · Answer

praveenramesh1991 :

You should apply to the earlier rounds if you get a start now. While you are taking the GMAT in January 2023, that should not prevent you from writing your essays, putting together your CV, filling out the online forms, etc. Can you do those simultaneously or is your plan to focus exclusively on the GMAT and then apply afterward based on the results?

If for some reason you are in a position where you have to apply to R3 and beyond, you should consider waiting the next year. A year is not going to make a huge difference at this point. 31 or 32 is not a considerable margin where your chances will dramatically drop off. You are already in the over 30 (but below 35) bucket for better or worse.

Hope that helps,
Admissionado

TheIvyLeagueEdge · Answer

While you are already taking a risk at 31, a lot will also depend on your scores, overall profile, Clarity of thought (on WHY), and career goals. That said there are many options wherein you may be able to achieve similar goals, though, MBA would be the fastest for obvious reasons.

Would Strongly advise you to take a chance and appear early, so you can apply in R2. If you are able to get even a 700 in your (say Nov end Exam), start applying with that score for R2, and slot a retake of your GMAT per your original plan. If you are able to improve your score later, you can always get the better score considered.

You may also have options to apply to specific programs that value higher years of experience. Connect over LinkedIn for a Free, 45 min session to discuss your profile and plans further, and to answer your questions.

essaysexpert · Answer

I would suggest you give the exam in December and apply for R2.you can start working on your applications simultaneously since time is short. This way, you will have prepped with all the necessary application materials and applying to R2 would not seem overwhelming. Since you come from an over represented pool, paying attention to essays, they Why MBA question, Why Now, Goals, and so on is of great significance. Do DM in case you have queries or need help. All the best!

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MBAGuide · Answer

praveenramesh1991 hope this finds you well. Because you have not shared the specifics of your profile, it is difficult to assess your strengths and limitations. If you are unable to simultaneously work on your application along with your GMAT prep for fall 2023, I'd like to remind you that HEC will begin accepting R1 applications for January 2024 intake opportunities in December, while INSEAD will begin accepting applications in March. You should however not panic or deliver a half-baked application with a subpar GMAT score. The average age at these institutions is approximately 29~30, so applying at 31 is not a disadvantage. Put your best foot forward and maintain your confidence.

Best wishes

MBAandBeyond · Answer

Hi praveenramesh1991 , I do agree with the above posters. A wise recommendation for you would be to attempt taking the GMAT in December (again, depends on your preparedness). Avoid applying in the latter two rounds if you are an international student because of visa concerns. It might be wiser to apply in R1 next cycle rather than R4 or R5. For any further queries Feel free to submit your profile here for a profile evaluation & get additional benefits. We'll be happy to assist you and enhance your profile. Cheers! Neha Hadke Strategy Manager Testimonials Email: neha@mbaandbeyond.com Visit our website www.mbaandbeyond.com for more MBA resources.

ExpertsGlobal · Answer

Hi  praveenramesh1991 ,

Thanks for writing in.

The strategy you should put in place (which includes the actual schools you should target) would depend on how you score. We would urge you to take the GMAT earlier especially since you are already in the thick of your prep. That would give you more time to put a compelling application in place.

In the meantime, see if you can devote some time to thinking about how you will best portray your candidature including your skill set, achievements, and most importantly, where you see yourself headed after the MBA.

You should avoid thinking about applying next year (at this moment); it is a call that you can even take once you have all components of your application in place. For now, focus on the test and on putting a strong application forward.

Should you feel the need for a detailed discussion, please feel free to write to us for a profile evaluation session.

All the best!

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

+1 - strategically this makes the most sense to me  praveenramesh1991 !

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praveenramesh1991 · Answer

Hi folks- thanks a lot for writing in with all your suggestions. After going through all the recos, here's what I've decided

I don't want to rush taking my GMAT. I'm currently juggling work, travel, and GMAT. While I like the pace I'm progressing wrt GMAT, I don't want to rush in. As I finish my prep by Dec mid, I plan to appear immediately to be in time for R2.

Else, I'm going to target the following Jan'24/Sep'24 intake. I feel rushing the prep is going to do a lot more harm than good. Maybe just me, but I want to prepare without the pressure of deadlines. This way, I'm able to focus and be deliberate about my practice.

I'm starting to work on my application by dedicating 2-3 hours a week. This gives me the option to be prepared with all the material in case I get my target score on my first attempt. If not, I have more time to work on my application anyways!

I must say- I wouldn't have had this clarity if not for this forum. Hopefully, things pan out for the best-case scenario

. Until then, you're going to see me across forums

. Cheers

. Until then, you're going to see me across forums

. Cheers

ARINGO · Answer

You can find a list of late deadlines for programs that start in Sep 2023 here: https://aringo.com/low-season-deadlines/ Also, some of the programs you mentioned have a January intake , so if you don't make it for Sep 23 you can apply for Jan 24.

R3,R4 application for European/UK B-schools

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