As some of you may have seen, we’ve posted our Round deadline dates for 2009 admission, and I wanted to provide some feedback on these dates and advice on when to hit ‘submit’ on your application. Ivey’s process combines deadline dates for both our Spring (May) and Fall (September) cohorts, which means that we receive applications for both cohorts at each deadline date. Our 2009 application process will include the following Round deadlines:
Round 1
September 1, 2008
Round 2
November 6, 2008
Round 3
January 5, 2009
Round 4
March 2, 2009
Round 5 (Fall only)
June 1, 2009
Typically there are two broad questions candidates have on deadlines: Is there a difference in competitiveness or is there a preferred timing by the school? And, when should I submit my application?
From our perspective, there is a quality benchmark used to review applications that does not change with Round dates – so the perception that it may be easier to be admitted in one round vs. another isn’t true. However, the benefit of applying as early as you are ready is twofold: there are fewer spaces filled in the class, and more scholarship money is available early in the admissions cycle. Despite our Round deadlines, we process applications and make offers on a rolling basis at Ivey, so by submitting early, you also benefit from an early decision. The bulk of our application activity typically happens in Rounds 2 and 3. There is a risk of applying late in the process – we never know when the class will fill, and it can be disappointing to get an application in only to find out that the Program is at capacity and we’ve moved to waitlist!
The best thing an applicant do is hit the ‘submit’ button when he/she is confident they have complied the strongest possible application, regardless of deadline date. Use deadline dates as as targets, not as absolute deadlines. Rushing the application process (GMAT, essays, etc.) can result in a weak application, not reflective of your abilities, and could mean that your application is unsuccessful, and then you are required to wait 12 months before re-applying. I appreciate how much time and energy candidates devote to the ‘perfect’ essay questions and at time the opposite can happen, candidates become attached to applications and re-visit, re-edit, and re-read essays countless times…eventually you need to be confident in what you’re presenting, and click that submit button to move the process forward!
With Round 1 approaching quickly and a new set of essay questions for 09, our team is looking forward to diving into our 09 admissions cycle in a few weeks time!