{"id":18490,"date":"2025-11-03T11:59:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T16:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/?p=18490"},"modified":"2026-03-31T17:00:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T21:00:37","slug":"november-pre-mba-checklist-for-round-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stratusadmissionscounseling.com\/blog\/november-pre-mba-checklist-for-round-2\/","title":{"rendered":"November Pre-MBA Checklist for Round 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are considering submitting MBA applications in Round 2, will you be ready in time for <\/span>early-January deadlines<\/span><\/a>? Will your application be the strongest application you can submit? Or might you be a substantially more compelling candidate if you wait until September 2026 to apply?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you contemplate your next steps, here are six questions you should be asking yourself. Your answers could be \u201cYes,\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m not sure yet!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Am I at peace with my standardized test score?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The GMAT, GRE, or EA is just one component of a holistic evaluation that, along with your undergraduate transcript, allows the admissions committee to determine whether you are ready for the rigor of its school\u2019s program. Look at the median score and 80% ranges for your target school(s). If you are just 10\u201320 points below the GMAT average (either version!) or 4<\/span>\u2013<\/span>5 points below the average GRE score, you should not be too worried. If you are 30\u201340 points below on the GMAT or 8\u201310 on the GRE, however, you must show quantitative competencies elsewhere, perhaps through analytical tasks at work or quantitative coursework.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Is my work experience solid and sufficient?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On average, incoming students at the top MBA programs have four to five years of post-undergraduate professional experience. Admissions committees will be looking for evidence that you have made contributions and impact\u2014perhaps by managing people, projects, or budgets. <\/span>If you are on the lighter end with respect to work experience<\/span><\/a> and have a promotion or big project on the horizon, you will likely be a stronger candidate if you wait until the 2026\u20132027 admissions cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n