When you start your application to graduate school, you probably have questions about admissions requirements, application components, and deadlines. But what is the difference between each of the deadlines, and when does it make sense for you to apply? Our admissions team dives into some factors for you to take into consideration when applying below:

What does “rolling admissions” actually mean?

Our application typically opens at the end of August and remains open through May. Depending on whether you’re an international or domestic applicant, this gives you 4-9 months to submit a competitive application. To save time for the admissions committee and allow early applicants to receive early decisions, we’ve established deadlines throughout the cycle. Applicants can expect to receive a decision on their application 6-8 weeks after the closest application deadline. Applicants who submit around a deadline will likely be reviewed in batch with other applications submitted around that time. If you apply significantly outside an application deadline window, your application may be reviewed sooner. For example, if you apply in mid to late December, your application would likely be reviewed after the January 9th deadline. If you apply in mid-November, the admissions committee MAY opt to review your application sooner (note – this is not guaranteed and depends on the program you’re applying to and committee bandwidth).

When is the last date I can apply?

For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle (students applying to begin the program in July 2024 or June 2024 for MSBA-WP), we have four deadlines:

Round 1: October 11, 2023

Round 2: January 10, 2024

Round 3: March 6, 2024

Round 4 (MSBA-WP only): April 10, 2024

Round 4 (All full-time programs): May 1, 2024

 

If you are an international student, you must apply by January 10, 2024. We set the international deadline earlier so we can ensure all admitted students can complete the visa process in time for classes to begin. This applies to international students applying from abroad as well as any international students currently located in the United States. If you are currently in the United States on an active visa, we still require you to apply by the January 10th deadline so we can ensure you’ll be ready to start the program in time. US citizens and permanent residents can apply towards any of our four deadlines – the final deadline is April 10 for MSBA-WP and May 1 for all other full-time MS programs.

When SHOULD I apply?

The right time to apply is not the same for every applicant. When planning your timeline, consider the following:

• You cannot apply until you have completed all components of your application. This includes test scores, where applicable – we don’t require the official score report when you submit your application but you must include unofficial score results in the application.
• We encourage applicants to submit their application when they feel it is strongest. For example, if you’re taking a course in the fall semester that is relevant to your program of choice, you may want to wait until you’ve received a grade for that course to apply so the admissions committee will be able to consider that along with the rest of your materials.
• Each year, the admissions committee aims to enroll the strongest cohort possible. We know this won’t happen if we only admit students who apply during one of the first rounds. All applicants are given fair consideration for admission and scholarship, regardless of when they apply. However, towards the end of the cycle, fewer spots are available since we offer admission throughout the cycle. We typically receive the majority of our applications during the first and second rounds. If you feel your application is strong early in the cycle, we recommend you submit earlier for your best chances.
• Applying from outside of Austin or Texas? Submitting your application early gives you plenty of time to visit campus if admitted and seeing if this is the right fit for you!

Ultimately, the right time to apply differs for each applicant. If you have any questions about the best process for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our program office!

TexasMSBA@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSF@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSITM@mccombs.utexas.edu

TexasMSM@mccombs.utexas.edu