Round 1 vs. Round 2

[This topic has 4 expert replies and 18 member replies]
Forum Index Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant Ask Stacy Blackman
Free $100 Amazon.com Gift Card - Buy a GMAT course using a Beat The GMAT discount code between Mar 8-22 and get a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card. Learn more!
Post New Topic   Post Reply

GMAT/MBA Admissions Expert
See All Featured Experts
Stacy Blackman
MBA Admissions Consultant



Joined: 26 Apr 2006
Posts: 438

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 3 times in 3 posts
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Topic: Round 1 vs. Round 2
PostThu Sep 07, 2006 11:15 am
Most applicants that contact me assume that Round 1 is the best time to apply and will kill themselves to submit all apps in Round 1 for their target schools. My work with clients throughout the years does not in any way support the idea that Round 1 is better. I have seen equal success rates for both rounds. Despite that, my clients are so convinced that Round 1 is the key to success, that I decided to conduct an informal survey with admissions committee members at several top schools. The findings: there is no evidence that round 1 is better than round 2!

Some specific feedback:
- In R2 we are more likely to take risks on less ideal candidates
- There may be a slightly higher success rate for R1 candudates but we attribute that to the fact that more accomplished candidates apply in R1, not the fact that chances are better.
- 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 waitlist you. At that point you are competing against R2 anyway.
- R1 can be harder because the adcomm may take a "let's wait and see what comes in R2 attitude"
- R1 sometimes has more competition so can be more challenging

My interpretation:
1) There is no evidence that R1 is better than R2
2) There is clear evidence that a strong application is better than a rushed one
3) Apply only when you are ready! Period.
_________________
S T A C Y B L A C K M A N Consulting
Admissions Strategy
323.934.3936
www.stacyblackman.com

Read the SBC blog.
Check out our blog on BNET.

Follow me on Twitter.
Friend me on Facebook.

Learn more about me
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aim-wsc
GMAT Titan



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 2469

Thanks given: 144
Thanked 57 times in 45 posts
Location: BtG Underground

Target GMAT Score: 801-
PostMon Sep 11, 2006 2:52 am
Thats an eye opener i must say.

Thanks.

Would you throw some light on scholarship issue.
I learned that when it comes to scholarship and financial aid the early the better.

thanks in advance.
_________________
Getting started @BTG?
Beginner's Guide to GMAT | Johny learns to blog
... move on.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Reply from GMAT/MBA Admissions Expert
See All Featured Experts
Stacy Blackman
MBA Admissions Consultant



Joined: 26 Apr 2006
Posts: 438

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 3 times in 3 posts
Location: Los Angeles, CA
PostMon Sep 11, 2006 11:10 pm
Certainly early cannot hurt when it comes to scholarships. Some schools have specific deadlines for aid and certain scholarships and programs. Guidelines would differ school by school, and it may be best to call your target schools and ask them. Submitting when is best for you is still the overall rule of thumb.
_________________
S T A C Y B L A C K M A N Consulting
Admissions Strategy
323.934.3936
www.stacyblackman.com

Read the SBC blog.
Check out our blog on BNET.

Follow me on Twitter.
Friend me on Facebook.

Learn more about me
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
rajesh_ctm
Really wants to Beat The GMAT!

Default Avatar

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 135

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 1 times in 1 posts
PostSun Apr 01, 2007 7:04 pm
I had visited Chicago GSB for an information session, and I heard a surprising thing from an admissions staff. She said R1 is slightly more competitive, because they receive the best prepared applications in that round.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
beatthegmat
Founder



Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 5172

Thanks given: 63
Thanked 407 times in 218 posts
Location: California

GMAT Score: 720
PostSun Apr 01, 2007 7:49 pm
rajesh_ctm wrote:
I had visited Chicago GSB for an information session, and I heard a surprising thing from an admissions staff. She said R1 is slightly more competitive, because they receive the best prepared applications in that round.
Hm...that is interesting--but I would think that this admissions person wouldn't say that you have a better chance of getting admitted if you apply during Round 2.
_________________
Eric
Founder of Beat The GMAT

http://www.facebook.com/beatthegmat
http://www.twitter.com/beatthegmat
http://www.twitter.com/ericbahn
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
rajesh_ctm
Really wants to Beat The GMAT!

Default Avatar

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 135

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 1 times in 1 posts
PostSun Apr 01, 2007 8:32 pm
beatthegmat wrote:
Hm...that is interesting--but I would think that this admissions person wouldn't say that you have a better chance of getting admitted if you apply during Round 2.
No, she didn't say that. In fact that comment was in response to a question whether there is a disadvantage in applying in R2. She probably just wanted to encourage people to apply and not to think too much about R1 vs. R2 etc.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aim-wsc
GMAT Titan



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 2469

Thanks given: 144
Thanked 57 times in 45 posts
Location: BtG Underground

Target GMAT Score: 801-
PostSun Apr 01, 2007 8:55 pm
The exceptions are, I think the schools with ''early decision rounds or rolling admissions'' schools such as Columbia; the early you apply better your chances would be. Smile
but again all applications will be treated in same way in their traditional rounds, I think.
_________________
Getting started @BTG?
Beginner's Guide to GMAT | Johny learns to blog
... move on.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Nisha1218
Rising GMAT Star

Default Avatar

Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 91

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts
PostThu May 10, 2007 12:33 pm
What about if you apply in round 3????
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Reply from GMAT/MBA Admissions Expert
See All Featured Experts
Stacy Blackman
MBA Admissions Consultant



Joined: 26 Apr 2006
Posts: 438

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 3 times in 3 posts
Location: Los Angeles, CA
PostThu May 10, 2007 12:39 pm
You are generally at a disadvantage applying in R3.
_________________
S T A C Y B L A C K M A N Consulting
Admissions Strategy
323.934.3936
www.stacyblackman.com

Read the SBC blog.
Check out our blog on BNET.

Follow me on Twitter.
Friend me on Facebook.

Learn more about me
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MMC
Just gettin' started!

Default Avatar

Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 6

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 1 times in 1 posts
Location: MI
PostSun Sep 23, 2007 1:40 pm
Hi Stacey,

Thank you so much for this post, it is something that I have been wondering myself. I was hoping, however, that you could clarify the statement about the R1 applicants.

The statement was (not made by you) that R1 was more competitive because the "better prepared" applications are submitted then. What exactly does that mean? Does that mean that R2 applicants are not as strong or that their applications aren't prepared as well?

Also, at a school such as University of Michigan (on some lists a top ten school) would the statement that there is no better chance of getting in by submitting in R1 than R2 still hold true?

I prefer U of M since I am close and have close family that are alumni, so I know that campus well. It's a great school, with excellent networking. Also, I feel it is a school that will match opportunity cost with better possibilities later. If my GMAT score is high enough, I will be in the middle of the average of their current class profile.

Right now, as you may or may not know, Michigan is a state with very low unemployment. I hear over and over again that when the economy is not doing well that people tend to go back to school. What is your opinion of R1 competitiveness and higher levels of applicants vs. R2 with this information in mind?
_________________
Past performance is not indicative of future success!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MMC
Just gettin' started!

Default Avatar

Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 6

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 1 times in 1 posts
Location: MI
PostSun Sep 23, 2007 1:40 pm
Hi Stacey,

Thank you so much for this post, it is something that I have been wondering myself. I was hoping, however, that you could clarify the statement about the R1 applicants.

The statement was (not made by you) that R1 was more competitive because the "better prepared" applications are submitted then. What exactly does that mean? Does that mean that R2 applicants are not as strong or that their applications aren't prepared as well?

Also, at a school such as University of Michigan (on some lists a top ten school) would the statement that there is no better chance of getting in by submitting in R1 than R2 still hold true?

I prefer U of M since I am close and have close family that are alumni, so I know that campus well. It's a great school, with excellent networking. Also, I feel it is a school that will match opportunity cost with better possibilities later. If my GMAT score is high enough, I will be in the middle of the average of their current class profile.

Right now, as you may or may not know, Michigan is a state with very low unemployment. I hear over and over again that when the economy is not doing well that people tend to go back to school. What is your opinion of R1 competitiveness and higher levels of applicants vs. R2 with this information in mind?
_________________
Past performance is not indicative of future success!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
prasath
Just gettin' started!

Default Avatar

Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 9

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts
PostWed Dec 19, 2007 10:52 pm
Hi,
Im a bit late to give my GMAT and this will make me apply for R3 application.
Will i be at a disadvantage??
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
sonibubu
Just gettin' started!

Default Avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2007
Posts: 22

Thanks given: 1
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts

Test Date: March 7, 2008
Target GMAT Score: 750
PostFri Dec 28, 2007 12:08 pm
I have read in a few places that MIT Sloan is the one school where applying in R1 has a clear advantage over applying in R2.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
iandavis
Just gettin' started!

Default Avatar

Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 2

Thanks given: 0
Thanked 0 times in 0 posts
Location: Austin

Test Date: 1/7/2008
Target GMAT Score: 700
PostThu Jan 10, 2008 10:50 am
Thanks for the Post Stacy its great.

What if I apply and then I'm not excepted. What happens next year, reapply with better scores or have I missed my chance?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
aim-wsc
GMAT Titan



Joined: 20 Apr 2006
Posts: 2469

Thanks given: 144
Thanked 57 times in 45 posts
Location: BtG Underground

Target GMAT Score: 801-
PostThu Jan 10, 2008 11:54 am
sonibubu wrote:
I have read in a few places that MIT Sloan is the one school where applying in R1 has a clear advantage over applying in R2.
Where did you read it? Is it from the official source (MIT Sloan website?)?
_________________
Getting started @BTG?
Beginner's Guide to GMAT | Johny learns to blog
... move on.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   

Post New Topic   Post Reply All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2
 
Forum Index Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant Ask Stacy Blackman
Most Active Members in Last 30 Days
1. harsh.champ 461 posts
2. shashank.ism 366 posts
3. thephoenix 323 posts
4. kstv 320 posts
5. gmatmachoman 261 posts
See More Top Beat The GMAT Members
Most Active Experts in Last 30 Days
1. lunarpower
Manhattan GMAT Teacher 		87 posts
2. Stuart Kovinsky
Kaplan GMAT Teacher 		60 posts
3. Lisa Anderson
Stacy Blackman Consulting 		54 posts
4. Testluv
Kaplan GMAT Teacher 		49 posts
5. Bryant@VeritasPrep
Veritas Prep 		41 posts
See More Top Beat The GMAT Experts