Round 1 vs. Round 2..

[Stacy Blackman]

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.

[aim-wsc]

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.

[Stacy Blackman]

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.

[rajesh_ctm]

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.

[beatthegmat]

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.

[rajesh_ctm]

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.

[aim-wsc]

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.
but again all applications will be treated in same way in their traditional rounds, I think.

[Nisha1218]

What about if you apply in round 3????

[Stacy Blackman]

You are generally at a disadvantage applying in R3.

[MMC]

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?

[MMC]

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?

[prasath]

Hi,
Im a bit late to give my GMAT and this will make me apply for R3 application.
Will i be at a disadvantage??

[sonibubu]

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.

[iandavis]

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?

[aim-wsc]

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?)?