Urgent! Round 2 or 3?

[okigbo]

I am in the final stages of my HBS application for Round 2 (given it's due in a couple of days).

I spoke to a consultant yesterday, who suggested that based on my profile, I should hold off to submit a round 3 application to HBS rather than round 2 - essentially bc of my gmat score. I took the test once in late Nov and scored a 630, I had been scoring between 670 - 700 on practice tests. I planned to take it again but didn't get to it with essays and a big relocation move to Africa at the end of Dec.

I think my essays are pretty unique and strong, I have an ivy league undergrad education (though just a 3.2 gpa), did banking for 3 years and am now working in africa.

Question is: do I hold off till round 3 to up my gmat score or send off in round 2?

I need to make a decision fairly soon and would love to get some opinions.

Thanks

[mbaMissionJessica]

In general we don't advise applying for round 3. It is far more competitive as a round, with even fewer applicants being accepted than in the other rounds. Here's an article our CEO wrote about it that you might find helpful.

https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2009/11/ ... verything/

That being said, schools generally use Round 3 as a "shaping" round, to fill in gaps in creating the diverse class they want. So if you believe your background is particularly distinct, compelling or unique, you may have more of a chance than just a "standard" strong applicant.

Good luck.