Early bird is a nice way of putting it. You work like a dog, exercise like a demon, and party like a rockstar. You do not sleep. "Let the bottomfeeders sleep," you think to yourself as you grind three more Tums and negate them with another $6 coffee. You will be first. Oh yes, you will be first. You are driven. You are insane.
In fairness, you are much better adjusted than this, much less grotesque than the panting overachiever above. But admit it - you will be first in submitting your business school application, won't you? And for good reason.
Timing is indeed an important factor affecting business school admissions. It is hard to argue with that fact that every seat is available for your behind at the opening of the admissions process while precious few remain at the final deadline. Simple probability - something that, of course, you'll have no trouble with on the GMAT - tells you to get your application in as soon as humanly possible. For all intents and purposes, this is true - especially for those of you shouldering some sort of baggage (such as a low undergraduate GPA or a well-below-average number of years of work experience).
You must, however, bear one crucial caveat in mind: Regardless of the timing of your submission, your application must sparkle. Don't risk submitting an unfocused, error-laced application on Day 1 simply to have gotten it in on Day 1. Your job, Mr. and Ms. Earlybird, is to be early AND fantastic.
Here's how to do so for fall admission:
No, this does not mean taking out a sheet of paper and typing "All work and no Harvard makes Jack a poor boy" over and over. Use the Internet. Start with our Business School Advanced Search to identify schools matching your specific needs. Go crazy.
Warning - most applications for fall admission are usually not available until July, the year before you plan to go, so if you get an application immediately, it probably isn't the right one. Use it as a reference point and make sure you request the following year's application as well. You'll get that one late in the summer. |
This ain't no SAT. The computer-adaptive test (CAT) tests the same old GMAT question types but in a new, far-from-linear way. We have a free online practice GMAT for you. |
The Princeton Review offers preparation courses of all types. You can even try out our Learn more about the GMAT. Whatever you do, do something to prepare. |
Call 800-GMAT-NOW (clever, huh?). That's 800-462-8669 or register online at www.gmac.com.
Remember, do something to prepare. How much will depend on your starting score and how much improvement is required to reach your desired score. Learn more about the GMAT.
As difficult as this may be to fathom, it's the depth of your relationships with your recommenders that is important, not the size of their reputations. Stick with those who know you well. Your list should include at least two professional recommenders and at least one academic recommender. |
We never said it would be easy.
Your list should have balance. Some top-tiers should be mixed with second- and third-tier schools. Doing so will create more options for you down the road. To make it easy on yourself, save your targeted schools in My Review so you can track your application progress later in the year.
Add date of first deadline or of opening of rolling admissions for each school on list. Again, this is easy with Favorite Schools - it will do it for you.
Include deadlines for recommenders in profile.
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And you thought getting married was tough ... |
On test day, you designate five schools to which your results will be sent. The ASR is for school 6, school 7, etc. It's $25 per school and takes two weeks for you to receive the paperwork. To request the form, click here.
Columbia, for example, will not change its fall 2001 essay questions for those applying for fall 2002 admission. If a school you are considering does not change its essays, write preliminary drafts of each essay.
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This is in case you've added schools or you've become paranoid that you're not on the mailing list you joined back in January. You can request information directly from a school's Basics page.
Applying online is a time-saver. Though you may not be under a lot of time pressure, take advantage of online applications. Check out the ones we have available right here.
Those essays don't write themselves, you know.
, if schools with this program are on your list. |
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Don't nag, but do check in. |
Specific deadlines will guide you as to which schools you'll be sending.
Think Ping. Think Godiva.
With your faith. And with the friends you've neglected for months on end. Selfish. |
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How do you do it? Where, for the love of Timmy, did you learn how to balance things so well? Job. Friends. Significant other. Family. Gym. Finances. Travel. And rare is the day you look unraveled by the details of your life.
Oh. You plan.
The business school applications process and its every detail can turn a powerhouse into a house of cards. The business school you choose to attend may very well have a massive effect on the rest of your life and the way you'll live it. This is not lost on you.
But you've been planning for this, and you will methodically execute every step of your applications process to exactly your liking. You've made room for the work in your schedule. You've made sacrifices. You've even said No to some people to whom you don't like saying No. And, somehow, there you are, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, getting it done.
Making the first deadline would be great, but you have no intention of rushing this. You recognize that the second deadline is the real deadline. The grand majority of the seats business schools make available will be filled by those who have submitted no later than the second deadline - or the middle of the rolling admissions period, depending on the school. As always, you've got things under control.
Here's how you'll work through the process for fall admission:
Use the Internet. Start with our Business School Advanced Search to identify schools matching your specific needs. Enjoy yourself. |
This ain't no SAT. The computer-adaptive test (CAT) tests the same old GMAT question types but in a new, far-from-linear way. We have a free online practice GMAT for you. |
The Princeton Review offers preparation courses of all types. Learn more about the GMAT. |
Call 800/GMAT-NOW (800/462-8669) or register online at www.gmac.org.
Remember, do something to prepare. How much will depend on your starting score and how much improvement is required to reach your desired score.
As difficult as this may be to fathom, it's the depth of your relationships with your recommenders that is important, not the size of their reputations. Stick with those who know you well. Your list should include at least two professional recommenders and at least one academic recommender. |
Love that yes/no data sufficiency, don't you?
Your list should have balance. Some top-tiers should be mixed with second- and third-tier schools. Doing so will create more options for you down the road. To make it easy on yourself, save your targeted schools in My Review so you can track your application progress later in the year.
Add date of first deadline or of opening of rolling admissions for each school on list. Again, this is easy with My Review - we'll do it for you.
Include deadlines for recommenders in profile. |
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On test day, you designate five schools to which your results will be sent. The ASR is for school 6, school 7, etc. It's $25 per school and takes two weeks for you to receive the paperwork. To request the form, click here.
We have applications for some schools available right here. Other schools have their applications available on their websites. The old fashioned paper versions are available as well, but you'll have to wait for them to arrive in the mail.
, if schools with this program are on your list. |
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Check in to make sure everything is clear to them and they won't have problems with their deadlines. |
Specific deadlines will guide you as to which schools you'll be sending.
Think Amazon gift certificate. |
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And then start planning for your fall. |
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This timeline can be seen either as a open dare or as a friendly way to encourage you to change your ways and follow a better timeline. The choice, however, is yours.
Suffice it to say that your business school applications savvy has been, uh, slow to evolve. You could be one of those over-confident vanity cases who submits your application to an attractive school at its final deadline and who believes that your chances of admission are as healthy as can be.
Even worse, you could be the good-intentioned glutton-for-punishment who wanted to get your applications in on an earlier deadline. Somehow, though, work kept getting in the way, and those weekends meant to be spent hammering out applications were wasted on back-nine coverage, imported light beer, and baked snack foods.
Let the following timeline be a glimpse into hell:
Memorize rankings. Do not pause to wonder how rankings may or may not apply specifically to you. |
Call 800/GMAT-NOW. Figure out the corresponding digits yourself, Einstein. |
Oh, of course, there's skin cancer to be developed. Our mistake. |
"Pass the aloe." |
"I can't believe I'm still peeling." |
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Or to be lost. |
Which, admittedly, is easier to do in February than the time of year you should have gotten started.
"Wait. Did you say 'recommenders'? With an S at the end? As in more than one? Oh, you gotta be kidding me."
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And then offer up FedEx account number.
Think pink slip. Think lousy homecoming tickets. |
If you got in, go buy a lottery ticket. You are one lucky soul. |
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