Applying by February 15? Here’s How to Submit Your Strongest Application

With the February 15 application deadline rapidly approaching, there are several important factors to consider before clicking that “submit” button. The February 15 deadline corresponds with Round 3 for the full-time programs and Round 1 for the part-time programs, and we always encourage candidates to consider submitting their application in the earliest round where they feel they can put their best foot forward (more on that in a moment). 

Short-, medium-, and long-term planning are vital to success in beginning your business school journey. It is a majorly transformative experience that will have impacts on work and family life—including relocating to the Rochester area for some. For full-time candidates, the Round 3 deadline is especially important for international students who need to go through the F-1 student visa process, as it can sometimes be lengthy. The February 15 deadline is still early enough to allow a good window of time to provide a buffer against unexpected snags or delays later on.

While timing around deadlines is key, making sure your application is as complete and polished as possible is critical to maximizing both your admission and scholarship potential as a candidate. These principles apply equally whether you are targeting one of Simon’s full-time or part-time programs:

Do I have ALL the supporting documents I need in my application? 

Before submitting, you want your application to be as complete as possible—which includes all of your supporting documentation. At Simon, transcripts, test scores, and other certificates should be uploaded directly into the application to complete your total application package. This way the Admissions Committee has all the information needed to move forward with the review process. Uploading your documents before hitting “submit” also significantly reduces the chances of a delay in your application moving to the next steps of the review process. 

Is my résumé in order? 

The résumé is one of the most consequential documents as you begin your b-school journey, and you want to ensure it reflects the “story” about yourself that you want the Admissions Committee to read. Make sure dates are correct for university attendance and positions held, and feel free to include upcoming internship or professional experiences! Be sure it is contained within one (preferred) or two (maximum!) pages with an easy-to-read format. The point here is to be concise and highlight (and quantify, if possible) specific experiences and accomplishments. 

Are my essays compelling and error free? 

It’s often best to have a family member or friend read over the essays with a fresh set of eyes to ensure that the responses to the essay prompts are clear, impactful, and free of any silly mistakes—like accidentally referencing the wrong school! The essays should respect the word limit listed in the prompt, and it’s good to work on them in more than one sitting. The essays allow you to add a personal touch to your application, provide more context, and address any concerns you may have about other components of your application.

Completing your application requires careful planning and diligence to be sure that it is the clearest and most compelling it can be to champion your candidacy at Simon. Following these steps will help keep you on track with the approaching deadline. Don’t forget: if you apply to one of Simon’s full-time or part-time programs by 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, your $90 application fee is waived! We wish you all the best as you continue to prepare for business school!

This post was written by Matt McCormick, associate director of MS admissions and part-time MBA student in the Professional MBA program. 

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