Home Seven Application Elements 1. If you don't apply early, you probably won't be going to a top school. There is so much competition among schools for the best candidates that admissions officers can't afford to pass on good applicants in the early rounds. Consequently, there are very few open spots remaining after the January deadlines. Although there are opinions to the contrary, I still believe it's best to apply in the first round, especially if you feel you're a strong candidate.
Most schools have three application periods, but some have as many as five.
The problem with the first round is the quality of its applicants. They aced the GMAT, got good grades in college and have great work experience. To top it all off, they managed to get their acts together and finish their applications in time for the first-round deadlines. It sounds good, but there's a problem with that strategy. A typical top program might have 600 to 800 applicants in the first round.