MBA Application Deadlines 2021-2022 | Harvard, Columbia & More Top Business Schools

The 2021-2022 MBA application deadlines are out!  If you want to join the fall 2022 MBA intake at top business schools like Harvard, Columbia, and Stanford, check out our comprehensive list of MBA application deadlines in our BusinessBecause MBA Application Guide 2021-22.

While the MBA application cycle is typically divided into several rounds, every business school is different. The traditional three-round application process has been extended to four, and even five, at some business schools, while MBA programs outside the US have varying start dates.

Whatever your situation—and especially if you’re an international applicant or want to stand the best chance of getting an MBA scholarship—you’ll need to understand what the different rounds mean.

Download our MBA Application Guide 2021-22

MBA Application Rounds & Your Application

- Covid continues to influence the MBA admissions climate, with most business schools receiving high numbers of applications.

- As countries open up their borders, competition will likely heat up in Round 2.

- There’ll be less impact from deferrals this cycle, although there may be more reapplicants.

If possible, our advice is to apply as early as possible this application cycle, in MBA application Round 1. 

More spaces in an MBA class are filled with each passing deadline, and schools will have less scholarship money to award. As a general rule, the earlier you apply, the more chance you have of getting accepted and getting a scholarship.

Applying in R1 demonstrates that you are serious about a school and have been planning your application for some time. International candidates should strongly consider applying in R1 to allow time to apply for student visas.

“Apply in the early rounds of the admissions cycle, not just to have better chance securing a place on the program, but also to show commitment and dedication, which will allow you to have better access to different types of scholarships and funding sources,” notes Amir Michael, director of the MBA at Durham University Business School.

Round 2, 3, and beyond, are often more competitive than R1 with fewer places remaining in the MBA class.

Round 2 is expected to be especially busy this cycle as more countries open up their borders and distribute Covid vaccines, although recovering jobs markets and visa access issues for people from Covid-impacted countries may impact future demand for MBA programs.

Applying in the Early Action (EA) round, offered by some business schools, conveys that you would take that school’s acceptance above all others—that they’re your number one—and typically the application is binding.

“Most candidates apply in Round 1 or Round 2, but candidates should always apply only when they feel they have their strongest application prepared,” says Allison Jamison, assistant dean of admissions at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

MBA Application Deadlines 2021-2022

The business schools listed below are ranked in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings (2020 & 2021) and/or are BusinessBecause Partner Business Schools. All deadlines are for full-time MBA programs.

The below list is a roundup of MBA application deadline at 15 top business schools:

Chicago Booth MBA application deadlines:

R1-3: Sep 23, 2021        Jan 6, 2022       April 7, 2022

Columbia MBA application deadlines:*

Oct 6, 2021 (EA)            April 8, 2022

Cornell MBA application deadlines:

One-Year:       Sep 8, 2021 (EA)  Oct 12, 2021     Jan 5, 2022       March 8, 2022*

Two-Year:       Oct 12, 2021       Jan 5, 2022       April 12, 2022   

Duke MBA application deadlines:

Sep 2, 2021 (EA)            Oct 11, 2021     Jan 5, 2022       March 24, 2022

Harvard MBA application deadlines:

Sep 8, 2021    Jan 4, 2022

INSEAD MBA application deadlines:

Jan 2023 intake:            March 1, 2022  April 19, 2022   June 14, 2022   July 26, 2022

Aug 2022 intake:           Sep 7, 2021       Nov 2, 2021      Jan 6, 2022       Feb 22, 2022

ISB MBA application deadlines:

Sep 12, 2021  R2 tbc

Kellogg MBA application deadlines:

Sep 15, 2021  Jan 5, 2022         April 6, 2022

London Business School – LBS MBA application deadlines:

Sep 10, 2021  Jan 6, 2022         March 25, 2022

MIT MBA application deadlines:

Sep 28, 2021  Jan 19, 2022        April 12, 2022

NYU MBA application deadlines:

Sep 15, 2021  Oct 15, 2021       Jan 15, 2022     March 15, 2022

Stanford MBA application deadlines:

Sep 9, 2021    Jan 5, 2022         April 12, 2022

UCLA MBA application deadlines:

Oct 5, 2021     Jan 4, 2022         April 12, 2022

Wharton MBA application deadlines:

Sep 8, 2021    Jan 5, 2022         March 30, 2022

Yale MBA application deadlines:

Sep 14, 2021     Jan 6, 2022       April 12, 2022

* = rolling admissions.

EA = Early Action deadline.

For the full list, download our BusinessBecause MBA Application Guide 2021-22, where we guide you through the key components of a successful MBA application and provide exclusive insight and application tips from leading MBA admissions directors.