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Full-time MBA application deadlines guide for 2024–2025

Preston ForeStaff Writer, Education

Preston Fore is a staff writer at Fortune Recommends, covering education and its intersection with business, technology, and beyond. Preston graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied journalism and global studies. His previous work can be found in The Daily Tar Heel and CNN. 

Jasmine SuarezREVIEWED BYJasmine SuarezSenior Editor, Education
Jasmine SuarezSenior Editor, Education

Jasmine Suarez is a senior editor at Fortune Recommends, where she was hired to build and launch the department in 2022. Before joining Fortune, she was a senior editor at Business Insider, where she led various verticals on the personal finance team.  In the past, she’s worked for Red Ventures, Adweek, McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and more. 

Students sit in a lecture hall at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Applications for those looking to start earning their MBA is approaching fast—including at MIT's Sloan School of Management (pictured above).
Getty Images

It’s that time of year again—MBA application time. While fall 2025 may feel like a lifetime away, deadlines are fast approaching for applicants hoping to matriculate for the 2025–26 academic year, especially at the top-ranked MBA programs.

Most business schools offer applicants multiple opportunities to submit applications—consisting of essays, test scores, and recommendation letters—throughout the year for the chance to earn a spot in its incoming class. But be warned—the rounds after the first one typically get more competitive as fewer seats in the upcoming class are available. So, the most important advice you should take is: apply early.

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Luckily, year after year, deadlines tend to follow the same pattern, but below you’ll find the application deadlines for the top 15 MBA programs, according to Fortune’s ranking:

SchoolRound 1Round 2Round 3
Harvard Business SchoolSept. 4, 2024 by 12pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 12pm ETN/A
Stanford Graduate School of ManagementSept. 10, 2024 by 4pm PTJan. 8, 2025 by 4pm PTApril 8, 2025 by 4pm ET
UPenn (Wharton)Sept. 4, 2024 by 5pm ETJan. 3, 2025 by 5pm ETApril 2, 2025 by 5pm ET
Yale School of ManagementSept. 10, 2024Jan. 7, 2025April 8, 2025
Northwestern (Kellogg)Sept. 11, 2024Jan. 8, 2025April 2, 2025
Columbia Business SchoolSept. 10, 2024 by 12pm ETJan. 7, 2025 by 12pm ETApril. 1, 2025 by 12pm ET
University of Chicago (Booth)Sept. 19, 2024 by 11:59pm CTJan. 7, 2025 by 11:59pm CTApril 3, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
MIT (Sloan)Sept. 30, 2024 by 3pm ETJan. 14, 2025 by 3pm ETApril 7, 2025 by 3pm ET
NYU (Stern)Sept. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ETOct. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
UMichigan (Ross)Sept. 9, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 11:59pm ETMarch 24, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Duke (Fuqua)Oct. 1, 2024Jan. 9, 2025Feb 20, 2025
Cornell (Johnson)Sept. 18, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 9, 2025 by 11:59pm ETApril 10, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
UVA (Darden)Oct. 2, 2024Jan. 7, 2025April 2, 2025
UC–Berkley (Haas)Sept. 12, 2024Jan. 9, 2025April 3, 2025
Dartmouth (Tuck)Sept. 26, 2024 by 5pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 5pm ETMarch 26, 2025 by 5pm ET
MBA application deadlines for 2024-25 at the top 15 business schools
Harvard Business School
Round 1Sept. 4, 2024 by 12pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 12pm ET
Round 3N/A
Stanford Graduate School of Management
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024 by 4pm PT
Round 2Jan. 8, 2025 by 4pm PT
Round 3April 8, 2025 by 4pm ET
UPenn (Wharton)
Round 1Sept. 4, 2024 by 5pm ET
Round 2Jan. 3, 2025 by 5pm ET
Round 3April 2, 2025 by 5pm ET
Yale School of Management
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025
Round 3April 8, 2025
Northwestern (Kellogg)
Round 1Sept. 11, 2024
Round 2Jan. 8, 2025
Round 3April 2, 2025
Columbia Business School
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024 by 12pm ET
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025 by 12pm ET
Round 3April. 1, 2025 by 12pm ET
University of Chicago (Booth)
Round 1Sept. 19, 2024 by 11:59pm CT
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
Round 3April 3, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
MIT (Sloan)
Round 1Sept. 30, 2024 by 3pm ET
Round 2Jan. 14, 2025 by 3pm ET
Round 3April 7, 2025 by 3pm ET
NYU (Stern)
Round 1Sept. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Oct. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3Jan. 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
UMichigan (Ross)
Round 1Sept. 9, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3March 24, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Duke (Fuqua)
Round 1Oct. 1, 2024
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025
Round 3Feb 20, 2025
Cornell (Johnson)
Round 1Sept. 18, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3April 10, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
UVA (Darden)
Round 1Oct. 2, 2024
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025
Round 3April 2, 2025
UC–Berkley (Haas)
Round 1Sept. 12, 2024
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025
Round 3April 3, 2025
Dartmouth (Tuck)
Round 1Sept. 26, 2024 by 5pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 5pm ET
Round 3March 26, 2025 by 5pm ET

One caveat: if you’re planning to apply through The Consortium—a network of top business schools and companies aiming toward increasing diversity in the MBA and corporate world—the deadlines may slightly differ. They are as follows:

  • Application portal opens: August 15, 2024
  • Round 1 deadline: Oct. 15, 2024
  • Round 2 deadline: Jan. 5, 2024
  • Application portal closes: Jan. 31, 2025

Harvard Business School: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 1

Harvard Business School offers two application rounds, as follows:

Harvard Business SchoolRound 1Round 2
Application deadlineSept. 4, 2024 by 12pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 12pm ET
Application decisionDec. 10, 2024 March 26, 2025
Harvard Business School MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 4, 2024 by 12pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 12pm ET
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 10, 2024
Round 2March 26, 2025

Stanford Graduate School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 2

Stanford has three deadlines. Below are the dates and times:

Stanford Graduate School of BusinessRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 10, 2024 by 4pm PTJan. 8, 2025 by 4pm PTApril 8, 2025 by 4pm ET
Application decision Dec. 5, 2024April 3, 2025May 29, 2025
Stanford MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024 by 4pm PT
Round 2Jan. 8, 2025 by 4pm PT
Round 3April 8, 2025 by 4pm ET
Application decision
Round 1 Dec. 5, 2024
Round 2April 3, 2025
Round 3May 29, 2025

Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 3

Wharton has three application rounds as well as deferred admission with the following schedule:

The Wharton SchoolRound 1Round 2Round 3Deferred admission
Application deadlineSept. 4, 2024 by 5pm ETJan. 3, 2025 by 5pm ETApril 2, 2025 by 5pm ETApril 23, 2025 by 5pm ET
Interview invitationsOct. 24, 2024Feb. 19, 2025April 18, 2025May 29, 2025
Application decisionDec. 10, 2024April 1, 2025May 13, 2025July 1, 2025
Wharton MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 4, 2024 by 5pm ET
Round 2Jan. 3, 2025 by 5pm ET
Round 3April 2, 2025 by 5pm ET
Deferred admissionApril 23, 2025 by 5pm ET
Interview invitations
Round 1Oct. 24, 2024
Round 2Feb. 19, 2025
Round 3April 18, 2025
Deferred admissionMay 29, 2025
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 10, 2024
Round 2April 1, 2025
Round 3May 13, 2025
Deferred admissionJuly 1, 2025

Yale School of Management: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 4

Yale’s deadlines for the 2024-25 application process for reference:

Yale School of ManagementRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 10, 2024Jan. 7, 2025April 8, 2025
Application decisionDec. 5, 2024March 20, 2025May 15, 2025
Yale MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025
Round 3April 8, 2025
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 5, 2024
Round 2March 20, 2025
Round 3May 15, 2025

Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 5

Kellogg has three application deadlines for the upcoming year, as follows:

Kellogg School of ManagementRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 11, 2024Jan. 8, 2025April 2, 2025
Application decisionDec. 11, 2024March 26, 2025May 7, 2025 
Northwestern MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 11, 2024
Round 2Jan. 8, 2025
Round 3April 2, 2025
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 11, 2024
Round 2March 26, 2025
Round 3May 7, 2025 

Columbia Business School: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 6

Columbia says about 70% of its full-time MBA students begin their studies in the fall term. The school announced the following dates for its MBA programs beginning in August 2025:

Columbia Business SchoolRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 10, 2024 by 12pm ETJan. 7, 2025 by 12pm ETApril. 1, 2025 by 12pm ET
Interview decisionsBy November 15, 2024By February 20, 2025By May 1, 2025
Application decisionBy December 20By March 26 By May 15, 2025
Columbia MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 10, 2024 by 12pm ET
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025 by 12pm ET
Round 3April. 1, 2025 by 12pm ET
Interview decisions
Round 1By November 15, 2024
Round 2By February 20, 2025
Round 3By May 1, 2025
Application decision
Round 1By December 20
Round 2By March 26
Round 3 By May 15, 2025

University of Chicago Booth School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 7

The University of Chicago has announced the following dates for its three application rounds:

UChicago BoothRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 19, 2024 by 11:59pm CTJan. 7, 2025 by 11:59pm CTApril 3, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
Application decisionDec. 5, 2024March 27, 2025May 22, 2025
UChicago Booth MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 19, 2024 by 11:59pm CT
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
Round 3April 3, 2025 by 11:59pm CT
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 5, 2024
Round 2March 27, 2025
Round 3May 22, 2025

MIT Sloan School of Management: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 8

MIT Sloan has three application rounds. The dates are as follows:

MIT SloanRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 30, 2024 by 3pm ETJan. 14, 2025 by 3pm ETApril 7, 2025 by 3pm ET
Application decisionDec. 2, 2024April 4, 2025May 15, 2025
MIT Sloan MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 30, 2024 by 3pm ET
Round 2Jan. 14, 2025 by 3pm ET
Round 3April 7, 2025 by 3pm ET
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 2, 2024
Round 2April 4, 2025
Round 3May 15, 2025

New York University Stern School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 9

NYU Stern has four different application rounds. The school says students will receive an initial notification, which will either invite applicants to an interview, offer them to the waitlist, or admission denial.

NYU SternRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4
Application deadlineSept. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ETOct. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ETApril 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Application decisionDec. 1, 2024Jan. 1, 2025April 1, 2025Rolling
NYU Stern MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Oct. 16, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3Jan. 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Round 4April 16, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 1, 2024
Round 2Jan. 1, 2025
Round 3April 1, 2025
Round 4Rolling

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor Ross School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 10

At the University of Michigan Ross, there are three application rounds for its MBA program. The due dates include:

UMichigan RossRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 9, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 11:59pm ETMarch 24, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Application decisionDec. 6, 2024March 14, 2025May 2, 2025
UMichigan Ross MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 9, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3March 24, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 6, 2024
Round 2March 14, 2025
Round 3May 2, 2025

Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 11

Duke offers four application rounds in addition to an early action, with the following deadlines:

Duke FuquaEarly actionRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4
Application deadlineSept. 4, 2024Oct. 1, 2024Jan. 9, 2025 Feb 20, 2025April 3, 2025
Interview decisionBy Oct. 4, 2024By Nov. 18, 2024By Feb. 17, 2025By March 21, 2025By April 18, 2025
Application decisionOct. 18, 2024Dec. 12, 2024March 14, 2025April 4, 2025May 8, 2025
Duke MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Early actionSept. 4, 2024
Round 1Oct. 1, 2024
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025
Round 3 Feb 20, 2025
Round 4April 3, 2025
Interview decision
Early actionBy Oct. 4, 2024
Round 1By Nov. 18, 2024
Round 2By Feb. 17, 2025
Round 3By March 21, 2025
Round 4By April 18, 2025
Application decision
Early actionOct. 18, 2024
Round 1Dec. 12, 2024
Round 2March 14, 2025
Round 3April 4, 2025
Round 4May 8, 2025

Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 12

Cornell has three application rounds. Cornell’s initial notification consists of an invitation to interview, waitlist without interview, or denial of admission. Below are the deadlines for 2024-25:

Cornell JohnsonRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 18, 2024 by 11:59pm ETJan. 9, 2025 by 11:59pm ETApril 10, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Initial notificationNov. 1, 2024March 14, 2025May 16, 2025
Application decisionDec. 6, 2024April 4, 2025May 30, 2025
Cornell MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 18, 2024 by 11:59pm ET
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Round 3April 10, 2025 by 11:59pm ET
Initial notification
Round 1Nov. 1, 2024
Round 2March 14, 2025
Round 3May 16, 2025
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 6, 2024
Round 2April 4, 2025
Round 3May 30, 2025

University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 13

In addition to early action, UVA offers three application rounds, as follows:

UVA DardenEarly actionRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 5, 2024Oct. 2, 2024Jan. 7, 2025April 2, 2025
Application decisionOct. 16, 2024Dec. 11, 2024March 12, 2025April. 30, 2025
UVA Darden MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Early actionSept. 5, 2024
Round 1Oct. 2, 2024
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025
Round 3April 2, 2025
Application decision
Early actionOct. 16, 2024
Round 1Dec. 11, 2024
Round 2March 12, 2025
Round 3April. 30, 2025

University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 14

UC Berkeley has three application rounds for its MBA program. The dates are as follows:

UC Berkeley HaasRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 12, 2024Jan. 9, 2025April 3, 2025
Application decisionDec. 12, 2024March 27, 2025May 8, 2025
UC Berkeley Haas MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 12, 2024
Round 2Jan. 9, 2025
Round 3April 3, 2025
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 12, 2024
Round 2March 27, 2025
Round 3May 8, 2025

Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business: MBA application deadlines

Fortune MBA rank: No. 15

Dartmouth has three application rounds. One week before decisions are released, applications will receive instructions on how to access the decision portal. The deadlines are:

Dartmouth TuckRound 1Round 2Round 3
Application deadlineSept. 26, 2024 by 5pm ETJan. 6, 2025 by 5pm ETMarch 26, 2025 by 5pm ET
Application decisionDec. 12, 2024March 13, 2025May 1, 2025
Dartmouth Tuck MBA deadlines for 2024-25
Application deadline
Round 1Sept. 26, 2024 by 5pm ET
Round 2Jan. 6, 2025 by 5pm ET
Round 3March 26, 2025 by 5pm ET
Application decision
Round 1Dec. 12, 2024
Round 2March 13, 2025
Round 3May 1, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to apply for an MBA?

Applying for an MBA can be intense, especially for the top ranked programs. You must dedicate hours to studying for and taking standardized tests like the GMAT or GRE, answering tailored application essay questions, and finding appropriate recommendations for letters. Plus, business schools charge non refundable application fees, that can be sometimes $250.

When should I apply for an MBA?

As early as possible. MBA programs only have a select number of seats to provide to applicants, and the earlier you apply, the better chance you’ll have at being accepted or waitlisted. Plus, more scholarship money is available for earlier applicants.

What are the MBA application deadlines?

Generally, MBA programs have deadlines in early September, January, and April, but each school differs.

What is the best round to apply for an MBA?

There is no harm in applying as early as you possibly can. However, if you miss a deadline, do not worry. Most schools have three application rounds. It is important to do your research early, and keep track of every deadline—as well as the time and timezone of those deadlines. 


Check out all of Fortune’rankings of degree programs, and learn more about specific career paths.

Sydney Lake contributed to this piece.

Read more

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  • Interested in earning your MBA online? Here’s our ranking of the best online MBA programs.
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    About the contributors

    Preston ForeStaff Writer, Education

    Preston Fore is a staff writer at Fortune Recommends, covering education and its intersection with business, technology, and beyond. Preston graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied journalism and global studies. His previous work can be found in The Daily Tar Heel and CNN. 

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