When are the deadlines?

If there was one universal answer to this questions, things would have been so much easier.  Unfortunately though, each university has its own processes and therefore its own deadlines. But if you have been in the business for long enough, you get a general idea. Here is what you can look at.

Top universities

Most top universities have deadlines starting about 9 months before the beginning of the program. If your program begins August 2022, most top universities have deadlines starting End November 2021.

1. The Civil Engineering masters program at MIT has a department deadline of December 31, 2021 for the Fall 2022 intake.
2. Purdue, MS in Computer Science has a December 20, 2021 deadline.
3. CSU Long Beach - Application deadline for all Freshmen candidate November 30, 2021

Bottom line? Deadlines are not standard across the board. If you are however looking for MBA programs, most top universities have multiple deadlines. For instance, Stanford University's MBA Program has 3 deadlines.

1. Round 1: 9 September 2021
2. Round 2: 5 January 2022
3. Round 3: 12 April 2022

That gives you more questions than it answers.

When should I apply?

This is fairly easy. The standard answer is as soon as you can.

For MS programs

We usually suggest candidates start their application process at least one year before the start of the term. If your program starts August 2023, you should start your application process in August 2022.  

For MBA

MBA applications require a lot more time, especially if you are applying to the top universities. The competition is intense and you cannot afford to make any mistakes. Many applicants start their MBA application process as early as 2 to 3 years before the program starts.

From writing essays, to gaining relevant work experience, to engaging in extra curricular activities that improve their chances of admission to preparing for their tests, personal interviews and fine-tuning essays.

A few successful candidates have spend as long as 6 months fine-tuning their essays. 

Here are things that you need to have at hand before applying for MBA in top schools

1. List of Application questions.
2. Certificates of experience
3. Essay outline
4. Why you want to do an MBA - a 100 word answer
5. Why this school - a 100 word answer
6. What makes you cool - a 100 word answer

Points 4, 5, and 6 will allow you to start building a good framework for a general SOP. Once you are done with an SOP, keep it aside for at least a couple of days and then go back to it. You will usually see things that you have missed the first time around. This is why giving yourself time becomes important.

If you have any questions that need answering, you could take to one of our counsellors who will be happy to help! Talk to them!