As we prepare to bid goodbye to 2007 and greet the deadline-packed first month of 2008, we would like to take the opportunity to recap the upcoming Round Two deadlines and offer some advice for hardworking applicants.
First, a summary of this month’s deadlines:
Wednesday, January 2nd -
UCLA Anderson, 11:59 p.m. PST
Thursday, January 3rd -
Harvard Business School, 5:00 p.m. EST
Wharton School, 5:00 p.m. EST
Duke/Fuqua, 11:59 p.m. EST
Michigan/Ross, 11:59 p.m. EST
UVA/Darden, 11:59 p.m. EST
Friday, January 4th -
London Business School, Noon EST
UNC Kenan-Flagler, 11:59 p.m. EST
Monday, January 7th -
Stanford GSB, 5:00 p.m. PST
Carnegie Mellon Tepper, 11:59 p.m. EST
Wednesday, January 9th -
Dartmouth/Tuck, 5:00 p.m. EST
Yale SOM, 5:00 p.m. EST
Chicago GSB, 5:00 p.m. CST
Cornell/Johnson, 11:59 p.m. EST
Columbia Regular Decision review begins (rolling)
Friday, January 11th -
Northwestern/Kellogg, 11:59 p.m. CST
Tuesday, January 15th -
MIT Sloan, Noon PST
NYU Stern, 11:59 p.m. EST
For those candidates who have already submitted their Round Two applications, we wish you a hearty congratulations and an exciting New Year’s Eve. However, for the many applicants still working feverishly to finish, we offer a few pieces of last minute advice:
1) Prioritize. The difference between a January 3rd and 9th deadline didn’t matter much when you started working on your applications in the fall. However, with just a few days remaining, make sure you are taking deadlines into account as you prioritize your work. Though your MIT Sloan essays may need the most revising, save that polishing until after you turn in the Wharton application on the 3rd. Similarly, for those of you really facing the crunch, you may need to take a step back and pare down your list of target schools, as it’s better to submit three or four solid applications than it is to turn in six half-baked efforts.
2) Proof. Tired of reading the same essay for the 19th time? Ask a friend or family member to provide a final read through, checking for grammar, punctuation, typos, and other easy to miss mistakes. Don’t let a careless error be what the admissions committee first notices about your application.
3) Get a good night’s sleep! While New Year’s celebrations will offer a tempting distraction, remember that clear writing comes from clear thinking, and clear thinking is helped by a good night’s sleep. Ring in the new year, but save the real partying for after the application deadlines!
4) Avoid Loose Ends. While focusing frantically on essays is likely a high priority, do not overlook the fact that there are other components to your application package. Have you checked with your recommenders to ensure that they’ve done their part? Have you gathered any needed information for transcript reports? Have you worked on the application forms (employment history, activities listings, etc)? In the rush to submit many applicants overlook these critical areas, resulting in an inconsistent application.
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