2017-2018 MBA Application Deadlines

The main changes so far:

• The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School has moved its round one deadline ahead by eight full days to Sept. 19th of 2017, versus last year’s Sept. 27th date. That puts Wharton more in sync with other school deadlines, including Stanford which has a round one cutoff date that is exactly the same. 
• Wharton won’t post its essay questions for the Class of 2020 until early summer, and Stanford has already made clear it intends to keep its iconic “What Matters Most” essay in the mix.
• Columbia Business School, which maintains its early decision deadline and rolling admissions approach without specific release dates, has switched out several essay questions. 
• NYU Stern has added an emotional intelligence endorsement requirement that allows a colleague at work or a friend to convey a compelling story that demonstrates a candidate’s EQ.
• Michigan Ross has introduced a new essay format with a short answer section containing three groups of prompts that requires applicants to select one prompt from each group and respond to it in 100 words or less. 
• At Dartmouth Tuck, for example, the early action round is Oct. 3, with decisions revealed on Dec. 15th. The school also expects applicants to initiate an interview with the school no later than Oct. 31.
• Notre Dame’s Mendoza School also has an early round deadline for applicants who are strongly committed to the school’s MBA. 
• Both Wharton and MIT Sloan, for example, don’t expect to issue their new essays until early-to-mid July.

Round 1 Deadlines

Round 2 deadlines

Round 3 and 4 Deadlines

Basic Advice: It's best to apply in the first round when none of the seats in the class are filled. At most schools, early applicants have an advantage over those that complete their applications in later rounds. There are some other reasons why you want to get your app in early:

• The ability to receive a scholarship award from the school’s Financial Aid Office prior to the date by which you must respond to your offer of admission.

• Ample time to complete recommended quantitative and/or language coursework prior to arrival on campus.

• Access to on-campus housing lottery systems at some schools.

• Sufficient time to complete the visa application process for international candidates.

• Attendance at a school’s Admit Weekends. Sometimes, round three candidates lose out on