MBA Application Deadlines 2026: Top Schools Rounds Breakdown

MBA & Beyond Team

11/08/2025 |

f you’re planning for admission to the top MBA programs, knowing the exact MBA application deadlines can make or break your strategy. Every school follows its own schedule, with multiple rounds, early decision options, and even deferred entry for future leaders. Missing the right window can cost you an entire year—and with competitive business school application deadlines, that’s a risk no serious applicant can take.

In this guide, we’ve compiled the most up-to-date MBA deadlines table for the 2026 intake, covering US MBA deadlines, international MBA deadlines, and key Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3 dates for every major program. Whether you’re applying to Harvard, INSEAD, LBS, or another world-class business school, this complete chart will help you plan with precision and apply with confidence.

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What Are MBA Application Rounds — and Why They Matter

MBA programs generally run in three main rounds:

Round 1: Typically in September–October
Round 2: Around January
Round 3: March–April

Some schools also offer:

Early Decision / Early Action rounds
Deferred MBA Deadlines for students applying early while still completing undergrad

Choosing the right round affects your chances — Round 1 offers strategic benefits for scholarship and admission availability, while Round 2 and 3 may suit those needing more application prep time.

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Master Chart: 2026 MBA Application Deadlines + Notification Dates

Below is a full MBA deadlines table, covering US MBA deadlines, international MBA deadlines, early decision/action, and deferred MBA deadlines for top programs.

Region	School	Round / Stage	Deadline	Notification Date
U.S.	Harvard Business School	R1	Sep 3, 2025	Dec 10, 2025
		R2	Jan 5, 2026	Mar 25, 2026
	Stanford GSB	R1-R3	Sep 9, Jan 7, Apr 7	Dec 10, Apr 2, May 28
	Wharton (UPenn)	R1-R3	Sep 3, Jan 6, Apr 1	Dec 10, Mar 31, May 12
	Columbia Business School	R1-R3	Sep 3; Jan 6; Mar 26	Dec 15, Mar 31, May 20
	Kellogg (Northwestern)	R1-R3	Sep 10, Jan 7, Apr 1	Dec 10, Mar 25, May 13
	Chicago Booth	R1-R3	Sep 16, Jan 6, Apr 2	Dec 4, Mar 26, May 21
	MIT Sloan	R1-R3	Sep 29, Jan 13, Apr 6	Dec 11, Apr 2, May 15
	Dartmouth Tuck	R1-R3	Sep 25, Jan 5, Mar 25	Dec 11, Mar 19, May 22
	Berkeley Haas	R1-R3	Sep 11, Jan 8, Mar 31	Dec 11, Mar 26, May 7
	Yale SOM	R1-R3	Sep 10, Jan 6, Apr 14	Dec 4, Mar 19, May 14
	UVA Darden	Early Action / R1-R3	Sep 4; Oct 1; Jan 7; Apr 1	Oct 22, Dec 10, Mar 18, May 6
	Duke Fuqua	Early Action / R1-R4	Sep 4 (EA); Sep 30; Jan 8; Feb 24, Apr 1	Oct 16, Dec 11, Mar 13, Apr 10, May 8
	Michigan Ross	R1-R3	Sep 8, Jan 5, Mar 23	Dec 5, Mar 13, May 1
	Cornell Johnson	R1-R3	Sep 17, Jan 8, Apr 7	Dec 5, Mar 27, May 22
	UCLA Anderson	R1-R3	Oct 1, Jan 6, Apr 7	Dec 12, Mar 27, May 15
	NYU Stern	R1-R3 (plus R4)	Sep 15, Oct 15, Jan 15; Apr 15 (R4)	Dec 1, Jan 1, Apr 1; Ongoing (R4)
International	INSEAD (Aug intake)	R1-R4	Sep 16, Nov 4, Jan 20, Mar 10	Nov 21, Jan 16, Mar 20, May 8
	INSEAD (Jan intake)	R1-R4	Mar 11, Apr 22, Jun 17, Aug 26	May 16, Jul 4, Aug 22, Oct 24
	LBS	R1-R3	Sep 5, Jan 5, Mar 30,	Nov 27, Apr 1, Jun 4
	Cambridge Judge	R1-R5	Aug 26, Oct 6, Jan 5, Mar 30, May 5	TBD
	Oxford Saïd	Rounds 1-5	Sep 1, Oct 1, Nov 3, Jan 7, Mar 16	TBD
	IESE	R1-R4	Sep 25, Jan 9, Mar 12, May 8	TBD
Deferred Admission	Stanford Deferred Enrollment	First -Final	Sep 9, 2025; Jan 7, Apr 7	Dec 10, 2025; Apr 2, May 28, 2026
	Wharton +2 Advance Access	First / Final	Apr 22, 2026; July 1, 2026	TBD
	Kellogg Future Leaders	First / Final	Apr 22, 2026; June 24, 2026	TBD
	Booth Scholars	First / Final	Apr 2, 2026; June 25, 2026	TBD
	Columbia Deferred Enrollment	First / Final	Apr 15, 2026; TBA	TBA
	MIT Sloan Early Admission	First / Final	Apr 17, 2026; June 11, 2026	TBD
	Yale SOM Silver Scholars	First -Final	Sep 10, 2025; Jan 14, Apr 14, 2026	Dec 4, Mar 19, May 14

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Key Tips for Navigating MBA Application Deadlines

Identify your target schools early and map their MBA application dates by school in your planner.
Apply in R1 if you’re ready — that’s when top MBA deadlines and business school application deadlines offer highest advantages.
Still building your profile? R2 or R3 might give you the extra time needed.
If you’re a current undergrad considering deferred entry — note the deferred MBA deadlines, which often open in spring.
Always verify on official school pages — timelines can adjust between publication cycles.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What time of day do MBA application deadlines usually close?

Most MBA application deadlines close at 11:59 PM in the school’s local time zone. However, some schools (like Wharton and Stanford) set a 5:00 PM ET/PT deadline, so it’s crucial to check the specific time on the official application page.

Are decision notification dates always final?

Decision notification dates are published in advance but may shift slightly depending on application volume. Some schools also release decisions early for certain candidates, or send interview invitations before the official decision date.

What are deferred MBA deadlines and who are they for?

Deferred MBA deadlines are for students who apply during their final year of undergraduate or master’s studies but plan to start the MBA 2–5 years later. Programs like HBS 2+2, Wharton Advance Access, and MIT Sloan Early Admission offer this option.

Is it better to apply to multiple schools in the same round?

Yes, if your application is ready. Applying to multiple schools within the same round helps you compare offers and scholarship packages simultaneously. Just ensure you can tailor your essays and recommendations to each school.

How far in advance should I start preparing for MBA deadlines?

Ideally, 6–9 months before your target deadline. This allows time for GMAT/GRE prep, essay drafting, recommendation requests, and campus research. For Round 1 deadlines in September, start working in January or February of the same year.

🎉 Big Congrats!

MBA Application Deadlines 2026: Top Schools Rounds Breakdown

What Are MBA Application Rounds — and Why They Matter

Master Chart: 2026 MBA Application Deadlines + Notification Dates

Key Tips for Navigating MBA Application Deadlines

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