Should I Go for R2 2022 or Wait Until R1 2023?

The MBA Application for Round 2 2022 or round 1 2023, depends on the candidate's GMAT score and their application process. Being one of the important factors, candidates should ensure that they have a high GMAT Score before filling out an application. In terms of understanding which round of MBA Applications should candidates apply to, this article would provide interesting insights. Several factors should be considered before the candidate opts for Round 2 2022 or Round 1 2023. Moreover, candidates should be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the Round 1 and Round 2 MBA Applications before applying for the same. 

Factors to Consider- Round 1 or Round 2 Application 

The decision to choose the most suitable round for an MBA application needs to be based on certain factors. These factors have been evaluated as follows: 

• GMAT Application Readiness: Candidates need to ensure that they have a high GMAT score. When candidates are satisfied with their results, they should also have a resume and letters of recommendation. All of this ensures a better selection for Round 1. If candidates think they need to make improvements in their MBA Application, they can opt for 2200. However, candidates having an excellent profile can wait for Round 3 of the MBA Application
• Target Ranking of Business School: MBA Application through GMAT is absolutely essential if candidates target the top 15 Business Schools. The acceptance rate for the first 2 rounds in this case is higher than round 3 
• International Students: it is better that international candidates apply for either of Round 1 or round 2 as they have to spend a long time applying for visas. 

When is a Round 1 MBA Application Preferred? 

Candidates need to ensure that if they are confidently prepared for the Round 1 MBA Application, they should always do so. The following aspects can be evaluated for candidates to prefer Round 1 MBA Application. 

• Opting for Round 1 MBA Application eliminates the risks of the application getting rejected as no students are admitted to the institutions. 
• Moreover, candidates might also find the opportunity to acquire a 100% GMAT scholarship on a year’s budget in the business schools. This implies that in Round 1 MBA Application chances of winning a scholarship is also high. 
• Candidates should be aware that not just high GMAT Scores, but also lower GMAT Scores are accepted by many business schools that admit lower scores. 
• It is important for over-represented candidates to apply in Round 1 MBA Application because Business Schools select a pool of highly qualified candidates. 

MBA Round 1 Application- Advantages and Disadvantages 

Opting for MBA Round 1 Application significantly increases the chances of the candidates to get admission. Accordingly, following are the advantages and disadvantages for Round 1 MBA Application: 

Advantages 

• It helps in showing the admission committee about candidates’ seriousness and intent of getting into the Business School 
• It shows that if a specific business school is a candidate's first preference then the admission committee might reward the candidate with an admit. They are also rewarded with scholarships. 
• Candidates applying for Round 1 MBA Application are compared with candidates of Round 1 only 
• Application in Round 1 allows candidates to make their application for other rounds in different programs if they are not selected initially 

Disadvantages 

• Round 1 MBA Application gets a large number of applicants which increases the chances of being waitlisted 
• Candidates willing to apply for Round 2 MBA Application, considering they are confident and need improvement in their application might not fill this round. 

When is a Round 2 MBA Application Better? 

Candidates who do not have compelling applications and think that they need improvement can opt for Round 2 MBA Application. Accordingly, candidates should ensure that for the next 3-4 months they are able to create compelling applications with an increase in GMAT Score or their resume. 

Resume building and development could be done by candidates within 3-4 months. This is possible by adopting leadership skills and taking up extra-curricular activities, or volunteer work. Effectively, the meaningful improvements that can be made for Round 2 are: 

• Increasing GMAT Score: it is important for candidates to raise their GMAT score for Round 2 MBA application 2022. However, if candidates do not have time for the same, candidates should postpone till Round 1 MBA Application 2023 
• Research on Target MBA programs: it is essential that candidates applying for Round 2 have made their research on MBA programs thoroughly. 
• Stronger Career Evidence: candidates applications in Round 2 MBA Application 2022 can turn out to be stronger considering the achievement of higher promotions at their place of work. This would imply that their GMAT work experience is quite effective to pursue MBA. 
• Personal Story: If candidates are able to provide personal goals and career goals within their application for Round 2, their application might turn out to be stronger. It is suggested that candidates do not rush into their application and induce creativity that would appeal to the MBA committee. 

Steps for Round 2 MBA 2022 Application 

In case candidates are willing to opt for Round 2 MBA Applications, they need to follow certain steps effectively: 

Determining What is Necessary: Candidates should be able to jot down the list of things including procedures and processes which are a priority for the application 
Obtaining the Required Resources: based on step 1, candidates should be able to obtain the required resources they would need to make improvement in their MBA application process. If possible chatting with the alumni could be of help. 
Allowing for Complications: candidates should have a backup plan in case complications arise and they are unable to work through their existing plan. 

MBA Round 2 Application- Advantages and Disadvantages 

There are advantages and disadvantages for MBA application in Round 2 as well which the candidates need to be aware of. These are as follows: 

Advantages: 

• Candidates get the chance to visit the campus where they are willing to take up the MBA program helping them convey their program fit to the admission committee. 
• Candidates can find their application in Round 2 favourbale even if they are less than perfect. This is because strongest applications are submitted in Round 1. 
• Candidates might find it easier to move on to the next step if they are selected in this round like serving notice period in their jobs. 
• In case an MBA application is rejected, candidates would have enough time to prepare and strategise for the next year. 

Disadvantages: 

• Competition is fierce in this round because more than Round 1, applications are submitted in Round 2. 
• Candidates in Round 2 MBA Application are compared with candidates of Round 2 as well as the selected candidates from Round 1 
• The chances of candidates getting waitlisted are lower than Round 1 

When is a Round 3 MBA Application Safer? 

Round 3 MBA Application is the final round of application in some schools while some might have the final rounds with Round 4 or Round 5. Candidates might find Round 3 safer in two cases as follows: 

• If candidates are an under-represented category for instance, are a minority or an entrepreneur, the candidate is more looked out for by the school in Round 3. 
• Candidates might be applying in a less selective school probably from top 25 rather than top 10. This is because these schools get fewer applications and enrol candidates who apply in these schools. If candidates are applying in these schools, Round 3 would be easier for them. 

MBA Round 3 Application- Advantages and Disadvantages 

There are certain advantages and disadvantages even in Round 3 MBA Application that candidates might experience and need to be aware of. These are: 

Advantages 

• Tier 2 business schools tend to have a higher acceptance rate in Round 3 or Round 4. In this case, candidates who do not want to apply for round 1 MBA application 2023, might consider these business schools. It would work in favour of them. 

Disadvantages 

• Candidates in Round 3 are compared with waitlisted candidates in Round 1 and round 2 
• If candidates belong from a general pool of applicants, then their applications might not be compelling in Round 3 
• It is unlikely in Round 3 that admission consultants could be of help to the candidates. 

Round 1 vs Round 2 vs Round 3 Acceptance Rate 

Given below is the comparison between Acceptance Rate of Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3 in Business Schools: 

Comparison for Round 2 MBA 2022 Application and Round 1 MBA 2023 

Candidates should be aware of how the two rounds of MBA Applications are applied through GMAT. Round 2 MBA Application 2022 and Round 1 Application 2023 differ from one another. The following table provides a comparison of Round 2 MBA Application 2022 and Round 1 Application 2023. This might be helpful for the candidates appearing for the GMAT. 

Thus, among Round 1 and Round 2 MBA Applications, it can be concluded that Round 1 MBA Applications have more chances of getting selected. With high GMAT scores, candidates should apply for Round 1 MBA 2022 Applications. It is suggested that candidates should opt for Round 2 MBA 2022 applications only when their GMAT scores are low. Accordingly, they would get a chance to improve their scores or resume. 

FAQs

Question 1: Which round is better for MBA 2023?

Answer:  The number of rounds depends on the student’s score and application process. Every round for MBA admission has both advantages and disadvantages. There are multiple rounds that any student can apply. So, students are accepted until round 4 as well. 

Question 2: Is it a good decision to consider applying for R2 2022?

Answer:  Round 2 is would be good for students who missed or rejected in R1. Applying for R1 must be always the first priority. 

Question 3: Is it bad to apply for MBA in 2023?

Answer:  The deadlines for R2 for B-school are in December and January.  Students can wait for round 1 notifications (2023), round 1 is a likely choice.