What to Do After Submitting Your Round 1 MBA Application

You’ve finally done it. After months of GMAT/GRE prep, countless essay drafts, and harassing your recommenders (nicely), you’ve hit submit on your Round 1 MBA applications. 

What now?

A lot of the advice out there is something along the lines of “relax, text everyone you know, celebrate, and start day-drinking”. But we’re here to tell you not to get too comfortable. 

You haven’t got the admit yet; there’s no time to relax and go on vacation. The bulk of the application might be out of your hands, but there’s still a lot you can do during this tricky waiting phase between submission and interview decisions. 

Here’s what to do (and not do) after you hit Submit on your MBA applications: 

1.  Apply to More MBA Programs

If you’ve got extra time after your applications are all wrapped up, consider squeezing in applications to more programs. Schools like MIT Sloan, UCLA Anderson, and Texas McCombs, for example, which close deadlines later than most R1 schools. 

It’ll be tight, but there are plenty of opportunities to repurpose essays (especially career essays) across schools. You have the narrative structure already. Hedging your bets across a wider pool of MBA programs is always a good idea!

2. Get Serious about MBA Interview Prep

Many applicants make the mistake of waiting until they receive an interview invite to start practicing. But interviews often happen just three to four weeks after deadlines. That means if you wait, you’ll be scrambling.

Some tips to get ahead on your interview prep: 

Learn interview formats: Wharton uses its famous Team-Based Discussion, Sloan asks behavioral-style questions, Kellogg interviews almost everyone, and HBS is known for its fast-paced grilling. Use this time to research who is going to interview you, what your interview is going to be structured like, and the types of questions you’ll be asked.

Practice early: Line up mock interviews with friends, mentors, or your admissions consultant. At SWC, we offer our all-inclusive clients 4 mock interviews with different consultants on our team, so they can practice with unfamiliar faces and build up the confidence for the real thing.

Budget for fees: If you’re using admissions consultants, remember to budget for mock interview fees. These costs add up; plan now so you’re not stressed later. At SWC, with our all-inclusive price structure, you only pay for interview coaching (Payment 2) if you get an interview.

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3. Keep Networking With MBA Students and Alumni

At this stage, you’ve already spoken to a handful of students and alumni at the schools you’re applying to. And you’ve probably used that research in your essays and other parts of your application.

But networking doesn’t stop after you hit submit. Staying connected with current students and alumni during this phase can come in handy for your interviews, and even to signal to the school that you’re committed to them. There’s no downside at this point. 

Follow up: A quick note like “Thanks again for the chat! I just submitted my application and hope to share good news soon” keeps the relationship positive.

Expand your reach: Reach out to additional students, recent grads, and even admissions staff and ambassadors at the school. They often share valuable intel about interviews, school experience, and the application process. Visiting the campus and having these conversations after submitting your application might not have as much weight on your admissions chances as before submission, but admissions members enjoy having you at the school and view it favorably.

Drop names (strategically): If you’ve had meaningful conversations, you can mention them in interviews to show your genuine engagement with the community. Admissions officers want to see that you’re invested in their program, not just during the essay-writing stage but throughout the process.

4. Track New Achievements and Updates

After you submit your applications, you might land a promotion, lead a new project, get a higher GMAT score, or take on extra responsibilities. Keep a running log of these updates. You’ll use them in two situations:

1. Interview questions like “What’s new since you submitted your application?” Wins like completing a relevant certification or taking a leadership role in a volunteer group show momentum. Even better if your achievements build on your narrative and contribute further towards your goals; admissions committees love to see that you’re still growing.

   
   

2. If you are waitlisted, many schools invite you to share fresh accomplishments. That’s when you can break out your update log.

   
   

Note that if the admissions decisions aren’t out yet, schools typically discourage updates on smaller achievements. But if you have a significant change in your profile, like a markedly improved GMAT/GRE score, it’s best to contact the admissions office at the school to formally inform them of this change in your application.

5. Stay Plugged Into Your Target Schools

Don’t go dark on your target schools. Stay engaged:

• Follow their news feeds, blogs, and faculty announcements.

• Attend virtual info sessions or on-campus events. Like we said above, they like having you there.

• Keep tabs on new initiatives (for example, changes in curriculum, partnerships, or diversity programs).

  
  

Dropping a detail like “I was excited to learn about Marshall’s new Business of Entertainment concentration” in an interview can show you’re paying attention. It demonstrates genuine interest and helps you stand out as a proactive candidate.

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Want to practice your MBA interview skills in a mock interview session with an SWC consultant? Book a chat here.