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TheRevanchist
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TheRevanchist
Hi Gmatclub!

Nationality: Southeast Asian
Age: 30
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics
GPA: 3.0/4
GRE Score: 166 Q, 166 V (for comparison, Harvard median is 163 on both Q and V)
Work Experience: >5 years in small local tech startups, currently head of software engineering
International experience: Leading a team of remote engineers from all over Asia, Africa, Europe.
Post-MBA aspiration: MBB Consulting or upper management in big-tech, will be coming back to my country, tho.

I have submitted applications to several B-schools, including some of my dream schools and others that are considered dream-but-lower-ranked. I'm contemplating whether it's worthwhile to apply to additional schools in Round 3 or if I should wait for Round 1. As an international student, I'm concerned about the competitiveness of Round 3, especially for applicants from abroad.

The dilemma arises because, although some of the schools I've applied to are my dream choices, they are lower-ranked, particularly for MBB recruiting opportunities. I'm inclined to apply to higher-ranked schools, However, I am confident in my chances of admission to the initial schools, and there are compelling reasons for needing an acceptance by this fall.

I appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
­Hi TheRevanchist, The round 3 intake is usually the competitive one for international students. However, our consultants could understand your profile better, further describing your chances in R3 and submitting a few applications (depending on your time and bandwidth)

You can also schedule a complimentary profiling call with our consultants here

You can directly connect with the team via call at +91 7780769732
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TheRevanchist
Hi Gmatclub!

Nationality: Southeast Asian
Age: 30
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics
GPA: 3.0/4
GRE Score: 166 Q, 166 V (for comparison, Harvard median is 163 on both Q and V)
Work Experience: >5 years in small local tech startups, currently head of software engineering
International experience: Leading a team of remote engineers from all over Asia, Africa, Europe.
Post-MBA aspiration: MBB Consulting or upper management in big-tech, will be coming back to my country, tho.

I have submitted applications to several B-schools, including some of my dream schools and others that are considered dream-but-lower-ranked. I'm contemplating whether it's worthwhile to apply to additional schools in Round 3 or if I should wait for Round 1. As an international student, I'm concerned about the competitiveness of Round 3, especially for applicants from abroad.

The dilemma arises because, although some of the schools I've applied to are my dream choices, they are lower-ranked, particularly for MBB recruiting opportunities. I'm inclined to apply to higher-ranked schools, However, I am confident in my chances of admission to the initial schools, and there are compelling reasons for needing an acceptance by this fall.

I appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
­Hi @Revanchist, I am in a similar dilemma. Did you get more insights about round 3 application as an international? I have been hearing from some folks that the acceptance for internationals in R3 can be dismsall at M7.  ­
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mandarkk

TheRevanchist
Hi Gmatclub!

Nationality: Southeast Asian
Age: 30
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics
GPA: 3.0/4
GRE Score: 166 Q, 166 V (for comparison, Harvard median is 163 on both Q and V)
Work Experience: >5 years in small local tech startups, currently head of software engineering
International experience: Leading a team of remote engineers from all over Asia, Africa, Europe.
Post-MBA aspiration: MBB Consulting or upper management in big-tech, will be coming back to my country, tho.

I have submitted applications to several B-schools, including some of my dream schools and others that are considered dream-but-lower-ranked. I'm contemplating whether it's worthwhile to apply to additional schools in Round 3 or if I should wait for Round 1. As an international student, I'm concerned about the competitiveness of Round 3, especially for applicants from abroad.

The dilemma arises because, although some of the schools I've applied to are my dream choices, they are lower-ranked, particularly for MBB recruiting opportunities. I'm inclined to apply to higher-ranked schools, However, I am confident in my chances of admission to the initial schools, and there are compelling reasons for needing an acceptance by this fall.

I appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
­Hi @Revanchist, I am in a similar dilemma. Did you get more insights about round 3 application as an international? I have been hearing from some folks that the acceptance for internationals in R3 can be dismsall at M7.  ­
­No, sadly I haven't got any good insight on this problem :(
 
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mandarkk:

R3 is difficult for all candidates, not just international ones. There are just so few spots available and how those spots are filled tends to be more random than consistent with the overall class profile.

Another reason is that there is a decent amount of time that's required for international students needed to get the permission to attend school in the US. The schools understand that R3 makes that really difficult and they don't want that to complicated matriculation for the international students they accept. Therefore, they avoid the risk for the most part.

Apply in R1 of next year.

Hope that helps,
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TheRevanchist
Hi Gmatclub!

Nationality: Southeast Asian
Age: 30
Degree: Bachelor of Mathematics
GPA: 3.0/4
GRE Score: 166 Q, 166 V (for comparison, Harvard median is 163 on both Q and V)
Work Experience: >5 years in small local tech startups, currently head of software engineering
International experience: Leading a team of remote engineers from all over Asia, Africa, Europe.
Post-MBA aspiration: MBB Consulting or upper management in big-tech, will be coming back to my country, tho.

I have submitted applications to several B-schools, including some of my dream schools and others that are considered dream-but-lower-ranked. I'm contemplating whether it's worthwhile to apply to additional schools in Round 3 or if I should wait for Round 1. As an international student, I'm concerned about the competitiveness of Round 3, especially for applicants from abroad.

The dilemma arises because, although some of the schools I've applied to are my dream choices, they are lower-ranked, particularly for MBB recruiting opportunities. I'm inclined to apply to higher-ranked schools, However, I am confident in my chances of admission to the initial schools, and there are compelling reasons for needing an acceptance by this fall.

I appreciate any insights or advice you can provide. Thank you!
­
Hello TheRevanchist,

Round 3 is definitely going to be very competitive; also, it would be worth for us to understand what league of schools you are implying when you say "dream schools". In case you are looking at the US top ~10, you might want to wait for Round 1, for the Fall 2025 intake and then apply; applying for the Jan 2025 INSEAD intake sounds great and is the correct strategy.

We can evaluate your chances in greater detail if you provide us with more details pertaining to your profile; in this regard, you may get in touch with us for a free profile evaluation session.

Hope this helps

All the best!
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­The challenge of Round 3 in your case will be twofold:

1. You will need to know what to improve so that you show up much more strongly than the first time around.
2. Your most critical challenge as a Round 3 candidate will be to overcome the perception that your application is a hasty or desperate decision.Applying in Round 3 might suggest several things about you to the MBA AdComs. They might think that you have faced previous rejections in earlier rounds and are now trying one more time. Or it might look like you lack strong intent and planning skills. 

Being prepared to overcome any such implications in your application is critical. This is how I advise candidates to ensure likelihood of success in Round 3.