1st Round & 2nd Round Application Combo?

[ellen.chung]

This could very well be a question with an obvious answer but is it possible to apply to some schools 1st round and other schools 2nd round? I had no idea how to even look for this topic on the forum -- searched but was didn't find what I was looking for.

I realize that applying 1st round the admissions committees give you their decision by a certain time, but how much time do you have to decide whether to accept or not? Are you generally able to get the acceptance/denial letters from schools you applied to during the 2nd round before you are required to respond with a decision for all schools you've applied to from 1st and 2nd round?

I hope this question is clear, if not please let me know and I'll try to clarify a bit more. Thanks in advance for all your help!

[mbamission]

Hi Ellen -

I do understand your question! It is possible logistically do apply to different schools in different rounds and many people do, but what is difficult is to start the application process only after getting your R1 decision. Most schools' R1 decisions will come out only a couple of weeks before R2 applications are due, so waiting until you hear to start writing your essays can lead to sub-quality R2 applications.

But remember, many schools are selective in terms of who they interview. For example, Harvard's R1 deadline is Oct 1; it notifies applicants of the decision Dec. 15 and its R2 deadline is Jan. 19. I don't recall what day they announce interview invitations but it should be around early November. If a candidate doesn't receive one, he or she can have a pretty good idea that their decision on Dec. 15 will be negative.

Now, in terms of whether you have to notify a R1 school of your decision to attend before hearing from a R2 school, I can't help you. Each school's deadline and process is so different and I don't really know how long you have. My advice is to call each of your R1 schools anonymously and ask how long you'll have to make a decision.

Good luck,
Jessica Shklar
mbaMission

www.mbamission.com/blog

[ellen.chung]

Hi Ellen -

I do understand your question! It is possible logistically do apply to different schools in different rounds and many people do, but what is difficult is to start the application process only after getting your R1 decision. Most schools' R1 decisions will come out only a couple of weeks before R2 applications are due, so waiting until you hear to start writing your essays can lead to sub-quality R2 applications.

But remember, many schools are selective in terms of who they interview. For example, Harvard's R1 deadline is Oct 1; it notifies applicants of the decision Dec. 15 and its R2 deadline is Jan. 19. I don't recall what day they announce interview invitations but it should be around early November. If a candidate doesn't receive one, he or she can have a pretty good idea that their decision on Dec. 15 will be negative.

Now, in terms of whether you have to notify a R1 school of your decision to attend before hearing from a R2 school, I can't help you. Each school's deadline and process is so different and I don't really know how long you have. My advice is to call each of your R1 schools anonymously and ask how long you'll have to make a decision.

Good luck,
Jessica Shklar
mbaMission

http://www.mbamission.com/blog

Thank you so much Jessica! That information was super helpful. :) Thanks!