Round 1 vs. Round 2

raghuformba · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

I want to ask about something that Stacy mentioned in the first post

[Quote] "We know what the we want the class to look like. If you are not a good fit in R1, the best we will do is wait list you. At that point you are competing against R2 anyway" [End Quote]

Does every school do this and wait list interesting candidates for R2 to be compared with the applicant pool there?

Also I want a comment on something else I saw which said that application in R1 shows definitive interest in the school !

Raghu

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:04 am Post subject:

Dear Raghu,

Schools with large applicant pools, which would be most of your global top 50, will waitlist many folks in round 1 to compare against round 2.

Round 1 applications are generally from strong, motivated candidates. As these deadlines are almost a year from the time you enter school, it is commonly viewed that first rounders are "planners" who start researching schools and the like for several months to years before applying. Thus applying early can indicate you have been thinking of pursuing your MBA for a while which many translate as "definitive interest".

I would argue, however, that it is not applying in the first round that demonstrates definitive interest, but a strong application with essays conveying thorough knowledge of the school and how it is a good match for you. Likewise, candidates can show definitive interest by visiting campus and/or meeting with school representatives in their geographic areas.

Regards,
Lisa

raghuformba · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 6:13 am Post subject:

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for clarifying...

Raghu