Round 2 deadlines usually land around the first week of January, and for some reason, R2 always feels more stressful. Maybe it’s the “last chance” pressure for international students, or the fact that it coincides with the end-of-year holidays… whatever it is, time flies. The good news? With proper planning and a clear timeline, you can mitigate a lot of that stress. Here’s my recommended approach for R2 applications: If applying to 5 schools: Start as early as September, and

Round 1 and Round 2 attract different types of applicants, so if you’re applying in Round 2, your approach should reflect that. Let’s break down what admissions is looking for: Applicant Profiles by Round Round 1: Typically draws highly prepared, well-rounded applicants with strong GMAT/GRE scores, academics, and experiences. Admissions expects top-tier qualifications. Scholarships also tend to be more generous in this round Round 2: Still attracts high-caliber candidates, bu

If you’re deciding whether to apply Round 2 this year or wait for Round 1 next year, it helps to understand the trade-offs. Here’s a...