How Many Schools and Rounds

Question

I know we've covered this before but looking for some solid info on this. I've read that your applications get better the more you do but I realize that you can only do so many applications per round.

I've currently got 8 schools I want to apply to 5 that I should be competitive at (Tuck, Haas, Yale, Cornell, Duke) 1 stretch (Columbia) and 2 longshots (Wharton and Stanford). I know I'm going to have to break this into Round 1 & 2 so which schools should I push to round 2?

kryzak · Answer

keeping it short (internet time is valuable here

) I would try to trim down to 6 schools if possible. But if you insist on 8, I would suggest this: Round 1: Apply to 3 of your top choices (and tougest ones) and ONE safety. Start NOW though. Any later and you won't be able to get 4 done in time. Round 2: Apply to the rest. Add safety schools if necessary. So in your case: Round 1: Columbia (ED) or Wharton, Stanford, Haas, Duke/Cornell/Yale (whichever you consider a "safety") Round 2: the rest

agold · Answer

I would do some research and reconsider how competitive you are at Tuck or Haas. Those are schools that favor older applicants and they don't take very many with 3 years of experience. I would highly advise you to replace one of those with HBS considering your profile.

kryzak · Answer

True about Haas favoring older applicants. Not sure about Tuck (ask branson). HBS would be better for younger applicants, BUT you really need to be a superstar at your job to get into HBS and Stanford, even if they favor younger applicants. So keep that in mind.

Haas and Tuck are almost as hard to get in as some of the toughest M7 schools, so beware of that.

Haas and Tuck are almost as hard to get in as some of the toughest M7 schools, so beware of that.

lsuguy7 · Answer

Yeah I feel HBS is probably out of my league, but the good news is that the essay questions have already been released, so there is a chance I could actually complete the application before any of the other applications come out. If it doesn't take much time away from my other target schools I think I'll give it a go.

I do really like both Tuck and Haas and I figure that I might not get into any schools this go round so atleast showing interest and then reapplying as an older applicant should score me some points (I guess). When I said I was competitive I basically meant I had a punchers chance, maybe a 1 in 4 kinda shot.

sm332 · Answer

admire your commitment ... I have already started procastinating on getting some of the essay data mining stuff out of the way :roll:

kryzak · Answer

let me know if you need any Haas help

lsuguy7 · Answer

Awesome - I will definitely take you up on that!

cpgmba · Answer

Just curious, where did you find the essay questions? When I go to apply on the HBS site is still mentions the fall 2008 class.

lsuguy7 · Answer

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/writt ... ation.html I saw in on the gmatclub blog when they were released.

cpgmba · Answer

Awesome, thanks! Do you know if HBS is okay with having one of your recommendations come from a non-professional source? (ie - Undergrad professor)

How Many Schools and Rounds

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards