Applying to top-notch business schools in Round 3 is a tricky business. However, if you’re a US candidate (or a very strong international candidate) and wishing to apply in Round 3 MBA applications to top US schools, you must give it a “smart” chance because you may have to wait unnecessarily if you don’t apply now for a whole year. But you need to place your bets on the schools which have a good acceptance rate in Round 3 and give a fair shot to candidates in this round.
In this article, we will help you evaluate if you’re a good candidate to apply to the US schools in Round 3 or you should wait for Round 1, and how you can improve your chances to give the best shot at this most thrilling round!Most of the Top US business schools’ spots have already been filled, and admission committees of these top US schools mostly use round 3 to bring diversity- diversity of background and the diversity of perspective and contribution in their incoming class.
SHOULD YOU GO FOR ROUND 3 OR ROUND 1Outliers are the most common admits to round 3, and by outliers, I mean somebody who has a unique personal story, a unique background, and it can be even just somebody from an underrepresented industry. These schools really want to have a diverse classroom from each perspective to make the classroom learnings richer. They are looking for someone who stands out.
Do take expert advice on your profile and know your chances in the Round 3/last rounds of any top business school. However, If you have slightest doubts about applying in Round 3 and really want to make it to your dream school, we would suggest you go for fall deadlines, i.e. Round 1 of 2021-22 application cycle.
So, bifurcating this discussion into two parts, if you’re a domestic applicant- you may go for Round 3 if you have an exceptionally strong profile or an advantage of diversity (in terms of profession/background/story). If you’re an international candidate, chances are quite slim for you (especially, if you’re applying for US Schools). You must go for Round 3 only if you can not afford to spend any more time on your applications or waste another year.
TIPS ON MBA APPLICATION FOR ROUND 3:Show how different your story is- If you are applying for Round 3 MBA applications, then, your story needs to be outstanding and different. In round 3, b-schools are searching for applicants that can bring diversity to the incoming cohort. Dig in deep to find your USPs and show how unique you are and how you can make a contribution to their community.
Explain why you have applied in Round 3- You must provide reasons for your MBA application in Round 3. You may be asked this question in an interview, so it is best that you clarify it in an optional essay so that the adcoms do not disqualify you at the first phase only! They need to know that you're seriously considering their schools and do not have any blocks now.
Highlight your work experience - You must highlight your work experience thoroughly as it is the most crucial part of your Round 3 MBA application. You must demonstrate the difficulties, the problems you have encountered, and how you have overcome them and contributed to your organisation's growth. Pick up the pain points from your experience and highlight them tying to the target schools’ core values.
Read more tips
here.To everybody out there hesitating in applying to their dream business schools because of their gaps, we would like to say, everyone has one or the other gaps in their profile! What matters is your clarity of going into a business school and how you present this clarity of purpose to adcoms. Yes, your story and its logic do play a very important role in compensating for any of your gaps. So, do not sell short, go and apply to your dream schools! We are with you!
Let’s maximize your chances for US Schools.Cheers!
MBA AND BEYOND