Applying to Schools

[Guest]

What are your thoughts about applying to a couple top schools early at the October deadline (Tuck and Harvard) and then based on getting accepted or dinged applying to a few other schools at the January application deadline?

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

With Tuck, you would have your decision in time to make that choice, but you would certainly be rushed to apply to other schools within the two or three weeks after receiving their decision. HBS would not give you your R1 decision until the end of January, making it impossible to choose other schools. I think that this strategy is not advisable, unless you are a rock solid applicant. Even then, it is quite risky during a competitive year...

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844

What are your thoughts about applying to a couple top schools early at the October deadline (Tuck and Harvard) and then based on getting accepted or dinged applying to a few other schools at the January application deadline?

[Guest- Orig Poster]

So what would you suggest then? Applying 5 early or just prepare for the January deadline after the initial two applications in October?

I understand it is a tough year and while I am not a weak candidate what is the best course of action you would normally recommend.

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your latest post.

I think that this all depends on your risk profile and the amount of time that you have in your schedule. If you have ample time, you should get your applications in by the end of round one, refusing to sacrifice quality for speed of course. If you are lacking in time, then apply to your first two schools in round one and then apply to a few more. I think that five is a reasonable strategy for a competitive year, but I don’t know enough about your candidacy to advise, so take that with a grain of salt.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype: MBAMission

So what would you suggest then? Applying 5 early or just prepare for the January deadline after the initial two applications in October?

I understand it is a tough year and while I am not a weak candidate what is the best course of action you would normally recommend.