Round 2 MBA Application Checklist – Do These Things Before You Submit
Originally published on December 22, 2022. Updated on December 30, 2025.
The final weeks leading up to the MBA application deadlines can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you with our 7-step MBA Application Checklist, designed to streamline your process and ensure you submit a strong application.
Let’s Dive into the MBA Application Checklist!
1. Set Calendar Reminders for Each Target School
Set calendar reminders for each of your target schools. We get it. This sounds dumb. Please do it anyway. Each year we hear from applicants who, despite spending months fine tuning their essays, still manage to miss the deadlines. In some cases, this is due to time zone differences and in others it is due to stressful periods at work. You’ve worked hard to get to this point. Don’t miss the Round 2 deadlines and have to wait until Round 1 next year (we don’t recommend applying in Round 3).
2. Check in with Your Recommenders
While some schools might show leniency if recommenders miss their deadlines, it’s not worth the risk. Reach out to your recommenders early to confirm they’re on track. Provide them with any talking points or insights about your story, and ask them to notify you when their recommendation has been submitted.
Once they’ve sent the letters, don’t forget to express your gratitude to your recommenders. A thoughtful thank-you—like a DoorDash gift card, flowers, or a bottle of wine—goes a long way in recognizing the effort they’ve put in on your behalf.
3. Take a Couple of Days Off
Yes, really. Give yourself a break. You’ve been synthesizing your life’s goals and achievements for weeks, if not months. Not only do you deserve the rest, but stepping away from your applications will allow you to come back with a clear head and a fresh perspective.
4. Get a Second Set of Eyes
If your essays are “pretty close to done,” now’s the time to get feedback. Share them with a friend or colleague you trust and ask them to summarize the main takeaways. If their feedback doesn’t align with the message you intended, it’s time to tweak and refine your essays. Outside input can help identify gaps or areas needing more clarity.
5. Read Your Essays Out Loud
It might feel a little awkward, but take a few minutes to read your essays out loud to yourself. After staring at a screen for hours, this is one of the best ways to catch typos, awkward phrasing, and ensure your writing flows naturally.
6. Double-Check Critical Materials
Before you hit submit, confirm that all required materials are ready to go. This includes:
- Transcripts
- GMAT/GRE scores
- Any additional documents required by your target schools
7. Take a Bow
You’ve made it! You’re about to hit “submit” and officially embark on your MBA journey. Take a moment to celebrate this huge accomplishment. Business school is an incredible experience, and by investing in yourself, you’re setting the stage for personal and professional growth.
Come what may on decision day, you’ve given it your all, and you deserve to be proud of that.
Round 2 Application Deadlines (2025-2026):
- Harvard: 1/5
- Michigan Ross: 1/5
- Tuck: 1/5 (or 12/1 for a guaranteed interview)
- Wharton: 1/6
- Chicago Booth: 1/6
- Columbia: 1/6
- Yale SOM: 1/7\6
- Yale SOM: 1/6
- Stanford GSB: 1/7
- Kellogg: 1/7
- INSEAD (Round 3): 1/20
- Sloan: 1/13
Good luck!
Reaching the finish line is a huge accomplishment, but for many others, the journey is just beginning. A referral from you could make all the difference as they take their first step toward achieving their MBA dreams.
After you’ve worked through our MBA application checklist, you may also be interested to read:
Quick Check! Don’t Make These Three MBA Application Mistakes