Is it better to apply in R3 or R1 or R2

Question

I did my GMAT recently, and I am wondering if it makes more sense to apply to schools for fall 2007 in R3 or wait to apply in R1 or R2 in October this year.. 

1. Are the chances of getting in the same ? 
2. do you need more than 1-2 months to get your apps in order ? 
3. How long is a GMAT score actually considered valid by adcoms ? is it a bad idea to wait for 2 years ?

dukes · Answer

1 - Later rounds are considered tougher. 
2 - Depends how many apps you do, but getting things together in 6 weeks is certainly doable.
3 - Scores are good for 5 years

aaudetat · Answer

Let me add to the rounds question - later rounds are sometimes considered nearly impossible. You should look on your target schools' websites and see what they say about their later rounds. Also, sometimes a 3rd round is more like a 2nd (in the case of Cornell and UNC) if the school has 4 or more rounds total. 

It's up to you, but be aware that you're likely decreasing your chances the longer you wait. Check to see if one of your schools has a late cycle - York's 2nd round isn't until next month.

lepium · Answer

Another option: apply to schools with rolling admissions ASAP. 
I agree that R3 is generally impossible. And I would not know how it would help to be dinged in R3 and then re-apply. I think it's better to apply R1 next year.

Hope it helps. L.

rhyme · Answer

I would tend to agree.

imjimmy · Answer

Care to suggest some schools pls. Most of those that i have seen have round deadlines based process.
 
What if you apply in R3 and get dinged; then if you do apply in R1 next yr to the same school, will it not increase your chances. Since you might be a re-applicant who was good enought for the school but could not get through coz he applied when the class was nearly full.I have heard that for many schools the admit rates for re-applicants is higher than that of fresh-applicants.

lepium · Answer

Rolling admissions: try Columbia. I think also NYU? Can anyone add some more? Among the ones I applied to, only Columbia was rolling.

The issue with reapplicant rates being higher is normally accepted as demonstrating commitment to the school. So maybe if your case was borderline, by reapplying you are somehow showing that you really are committed. Note that there is no data breakdown on how R3 then R1 reapplicants fare. 

The drawback, however, with R3 is the following: suppose you apply and send all your essays, etc. and get dinged. The following year, most programs will have you write an essay of what has changed in your life since the previous year. Now let's say you submitted R3 in March and get dinged in May. And now try to re-apply before October R1. How will you fill your "what has changed" essay?

So that's that.

Hope it helps. L.

aaudetat · Answer

Rolling - Also UTX Austin (McCombs, right?)

karlfurt · Answer

I have the same trouble. I 've missed R2, have to apply R3 or R4 Insead. I am annoyed. On the other hand asking for scholarship in r4 is not possible. May be it makes it less attractive so less competitive. But I don't want to waste 2-3 months more to send my application...

lepium · Answer

I'm not so sure about Insead, but if any school has 4 rounds then R3 = R2. Normally the last "decent chances" round is the last round for scholarships (which mentioned was r3).

Cheers. L.

dukes · Answer

Insead is the ONE school that I am aware of where it makes no difference when you apply. During the info session the woman told us that they reserve a certain number of seats for each round based on their previous experiences with application volume and application distribution between rounds. Their goal is to achieve similar admit rates for each round. So if thats the school you are applying to, you should be all set.

karlfurt · Answer

Thanks guys. I understand it as good news. Anyway, I will apply later for other schools like IESE and IMD because all eggs in one basket is risky(670 + 32 years + french :wink:

)

justincase49 · Answer

Supposedly round 1 isn't as friendly as rounds 2-3. The admissions committees have yet to see a standard for the level of applicants coming in and thus will tend to waitlist most of their early round applicants. Ideally applying in rounds 2 and 3 if you're an exceptional applicant would probably be better.

rhyme · Answer

I do believe your the first person I've ever seen advocate an R3 strategy. Heck, some schools come out and say R3 is not a good choice.

standard · Answer

So, if I have a TOEFL exam after the R2 deadline, can I apply for R2 (rolling admissions)?

Everything else is in order.

neo276 · Answer

Supposedly round 1 isn't as friendly as rounds 2-3. The admissions committees have yet to see a standard for the level of applicants coming in and thus will tend to waitlist most of their early round applicants. Ideally applying in rounds 2 and 3 if you're an exceptional applicant would probably be better 

Even though adcom has a pretty good idea of what level of general calibre they are looking for in successful applicants due to years of past experience, there might be yearly fluctuations (economy, demographics etc etc) or trends.

Lets assume for a moment whatever you said is right that adcom is yet to see the quality of the applicant pool in R1 and may waitlist applicants which are not super strong. 

Why should that fact alone help candidates applying in R2 who are not super strong? Exceptionally strong candidates will get admitted irrespective of the round. Strong candidates have the best chance in R1, almost similar (might be slightly less) chance in R2 and clearly significantly lower chance in R3.

Candidates who are not strong dont get admitted to top business schools in huge numbers. By very definition, top schools select the best applicants to create a diverse class. At the end of the day, waitlist or not, the best combination of applicants which meets the goals of admission committee will get selected.

One should apply whenever one's application is ready. (obviously with the caveat of R3 vs next year). I dont understand whats so complex about this simple statement.

ashaker · Answer

Thanks guys, very useful advice. Looks like I will defnly wait for next year's apps. Would like to build up some more work exp as well. 

I guess R1 and R2 choices will be made more on the basis of scheduling diff schools etc.. ? 

anyone know if there are any admission stats on admits percentages in each round ?

justincase49 · Answer

I think I gave the wrong impression from my post. I didn't mean to advocate round three. I agree with you that a "strong candidate" will be admitted regardless of the round they apply, however, that term "strong candidate" is relative to the candidate pool. In some seasons, a 740 gmat and 3.5 gpa may indicate a strong candidate, while in others, with people like pelihu and other who score 770 and 780, entering the pool, they are not so strong.

I advocate round 2 applying.

Is it better to apply in R3 or R1 or R2

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