Last spots for Class of 2026 seniors — get expert college counseling before deadlines. Submit inquiry.
Last spots for Class of 2026 seniors — get expert college counseling before deadlines. Submit inquiry.
Concerned if you’re on track to apply to business school this year? Do you wonder what you should be working on now in order to submit strong applications in the fall?
Here’s a suggested timeline for getting organized and proactively staying ahead of the admissions process.
May
Identify Recommenders/Reconnect with past supervisors
Prepare for and sign up for the GMAT
June
Take the GMAT
Prepare your résumé
July
Take the GMAT again (if necessary)
Define list of target schoolsBrainstorm and start writing essays
August
Begin completing additional coursework
Meet with recommenders
Continue drafting and editing essays
September
Follow-up with recommenders
Continue drafting and redrafting essays
Initiate outreach to programs of interest; visit, if possible
October
Complete essays, follow up with recommenders
Submit first round applications
November
Prepare second round essays/applications (if needed)
Prepare for interviews with target schools
Complete campus visits
December
Draft and edit second round essays (if needed)
Follow up with recommenders
Conduct first round interviews
Await first round decisions
January
Submit second round applications (if needed)
Complete first round interviews
Await first round decisions
February
Plan interviews with target schools
Await second round decisions (if needed)
March
Prepare for interviews (if needed)
Await second round decisions (if needed)
Visit programs and place deposit
The earlier you get started on the MBA application process, the better. Getting a jump on it now will allow you to invest the time and effort into the process that will enable you to be most successful.
Marc is the author of Untangling the Ivy League, a best-selling guidebook on the Ancient Eight. He earned a BA from Cornell University and an MBA from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Marc chaired the admissions ambassadors at Cornell and the admissions advisory board at UNC.
