How do schools view reapplicants?

[pnw5851]

Hi,

My dream school is Harvard, but just as any other top business school, there is no guarantee for admission. Since I am not in the need for an MBA immediately (I'm 23 now), I was wondering if I could take advantage of my current position.

My plan is to apply JUST Harvard for this coming year, and if I don't get in, I will re-apply to Harvard and a handful of other schools the next year. The thinking is that I will have 2 chances to get in to my dream school, and if anything, I will get into a safety school when I really need an MBA.

So it breaks down to:
-whether it is better to apply twice vs. to apply when I might be better prepared.
-If schools frown upon reapply applicants.

[blg529]

As admissions as gotten more competitive since 2008, reapplicants have become more commonplace and thus I don't think they are looked down on. However schools wants to see that you have made significant growth since you last applied; you aren't likely to get admitted the second time around just by having one more year of experience.

You are still really young to even apply next year. What does your profile look like and why are you in a rush to start business school in the next two years? Without knowing more than your age, I would suggest waiting a few years and using this time to put make yourself the best applicant you can be (do as well at work as possible, take on a few interesting extracurricular responsibilities, retake the GMAT if your score could be improved, etc).

[pnw5851]

The reason that I want to go to business school soon is because I want to get into investment banking, which is hard to break in outside from campus recruiting.

[Jon@Admissionado]

Reapplicants are treated well. not looked down upon at all. The trick is to have some good stuff between applications - be it a promotion, more leadership, a higher GMAT. The school is gonna look for some CONCRETE advancement, and the more, the merrier.

[FutureWorks]

Hi,


You should apply when you are well prepared for this. Harvard is one of the most competitive schools and they settle for nothing less than best.
So you should also build your profile- gmat wise, academics, work experience and beyond academics that represent you are a stellar candidate.

[Kaneisha Grayson]

Hey there!

I would wait if I were you. I applied and was accepted as a senior in college and I went for it because I knew that if I didn't get in, they would talk to me on the phone about it (this was an old policy). Since you wouldn't be applying under any special circumstance or program like the 2+2 program, you are being evaluated next to candidates with stellar work experience, leadership experience, etc. What is the rush again? If Harvard is your dream school, apply once you know you can represent yourself as best as possible. Although reapplicants are treated nicely, it's much better to use your "first shot" when you really feel that your candidacy is at its best. I'm not saying that you have to wait a LONG time, but I do think your chances would be much higher if you wait 2 or so years.

Cheers!
Kaneisha