LBS accepting late applications, worth it to apply?

Question

I just saw that they were accepting late applications on their website (round 4 deadline is over). Is it worth it to apply now? I was set on applying in round 1 of next year but I am reconsidering because of the fact that they are still accepting applications, does it mean they have not met their quota yet?

I have decent stats, 700+ GMAT, 3.7 GPA at a top undergrad, 3 yrs work experience at a semi-prestigious company. I don't know if I will hurt my chances for next year if I apply and get rejected this "round".

gcb09173 · Answer

They do this every year - not sure if its normally stated as it is on the website but I do know of people who were admitted after the formal processes had finished even as late as August. The website is suggesting 'having a discussion' with them and I guess they would expect there to be some significant reason on why you need to apply to start in September and not wait for next years class. Your profile would also need to be so unique that they were desperate to have you in the class (think former Tennis star who has had career ending injury and looking to do MBA as way to transtion to a job - or current UK Member of Parliament (around 30 years old) who isn't re-elected (elections this week) and decides to get MBA etc - these type of unique profiles will be the type of people an MBA programme would still be interested in admitting for this year - one of the people I know came from a Corporate Partner of the school and had a Alumni Partner's letter asking if the school could admit him).

Looking at the admits portal I'd say their quota is not an issue and there are plenty of people on the waitlist still.

I don't think there would be any issue with contacting them to say you are interested but you would need to answer why you haven't applied in at least round 4 if you were serious about starting this year, and could demonstrate concisely why you add something to their programme they dont already have...?

LBS does not actively encourage 'reapplications' it will tell people they think should reapply in the future and that is usually because they feel they haven't got enough experience yet, however that is as part of the official process so contacting them about a late application this year would unlikely restrict your chances applying properly next year.

Looking at your profile, the extra years experience will likely help improve your chances at LBS - the average WE is 5 years after all and so gaining another year will make you more comparable to the peers you are competing for an admit spot with. Especially given you have an average GMAT score and as you state a 'semi-prestigious' company the AdComms may not differentiate it from the 3-4000 odd applications they have already seen this year. Theres a lot to do to complete an application also from the essays, recommendations etc and putting your best effort into these will be difficult on a compressed time frame especially given it has to stand out from those 3-4000 other apps.

My recommendation would be to just wait to September and put your application in the first round to give you the truly best shot of succeeding as you'll have the time to prepare the essays, speak with recommenders etc, visit the campus, meet/contact alumni and current students etc.

Solaris8 · Answer

Wow, thanks for the amazing answer!!! I ended up talking to one of the adcoms and they echoed the same. It looks like my time would be better spent preparing for the next application year.

Admissionado · Answer

I couldn't agree more.

CriticalSquare · Answer

Definitely wait - and the fact that you're already working on it makes me think you're going to put together an awesome app!

Bhavik

LBS accepting late applications, worth it to apply?

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