What Round Should I Apply In?

The 2024-2025 Full-Time MBA application is now open!  

We receive lots of questions about application deadlines and whether or not it matters when you submit your application– Round 1, 2, 3 or 4. Timing is a key factor in your overall application strategy. Many details go into deciding which round to apply, and one answer is not right for everyone. So, let’s break it down by round so you can get a clearer picture of when might be the best time for you to hit “Submit.”  

Round 1 

Round 1 is a good choice for a couple of reasons:  

1. It is our first priority scholarship deadline – If you want to be considered for all merit-based scholarships, Round 1 is your best shot. As each round closes, our scholarship funding pool decreases. 
2.  All of our spots are still available! Plus, historically we’ve received fewer applications in Round 1 than in Round 2.  

You should NEVER rush to submit your MBA application simply to take advantage of “more spots” or “more funding.”  

Once you submit your application, you cannot “re-submit” a stronger application in a later round for the same term of entry. If you skip important preparation, including formal test prep, articulating your “why MBA,” or conducting research just to be able to submit in Round 1, you could end up with a test score and application that doesn’t reflect you at your best.  

In any case, submitting in Round 1 might not be a good idea, especially if you know that you can improve a component of your application. Waiting to apply until all aspects of your application are strong is always the best approach.  

Round 2 

If we filled up the class in Round 1, the Admissions Committee might be out of a job by February. Round 2 is traditionally our largest round and Texas McCombs receives many strong applicants in this round. Scholarships and fellowships are still available and all information and data included in your application help the Admission Committee allocate scholarship awards.  

Applying later is okay! A strong application will stand out in any round. 

Round 3 or Round 4 

Our later rounds – Rounds 3 and 4 – tend to have a much smaller volume of applicants than the first two rounds. Many applicants in Round 3 or 4 simply didn’t realize an MBA was an option or on their radar until later in the application cycle. Historically, we always have spots available late in the cycle (which is why we have these later rounds!), but each year the number varies.  

We can’t say it enough– A strong, complete, well-researched application always stands out.  

Before you hit “Submit,” points to keep in mind:  

• Submit your application only when you’re 99.9% ready. Supplemental application materials submitted after a round deadline are incredibly risky since there is no guarantee the Admissions Committee will see them. Once your file is read, we will not re-review again based upon new information received post-deadline.  
• Don’t wait until the last minute! We are not able to accept applications submitted after 11:59pm CT on the day of the deadline. Technical difficulties impact applicants every round, every year. Stay aware of deadlines the best you can. In the interest of a fair process, we don’t make exceptions to our deadlines, no matter what reason you have for a late submission.  
• Be patient. The Admissions Committee does not begin reviewing applications until the round deadline has passed. In other words, you might’ve been far ahead and submitted your application in August, but we won’t begin reviewing any submissions until after the Round 1 deadline in October. 
• The Admissions Committee does not provide individual feedback on applications, out of fairness to all applicants and due to the volume of requests we receive.