June 26, 2024

The joyful culmination of your journey to business school will come when you finally get your acceptance. That day, you’ll anxiously open your application portal, rapidly dart your eyes across your screen, and beam a great big smile when you see the good news. But if you hope to enroll in a top-ranked European MBA program in August/September 2025, this exciting day is still a ways away. And if you want to ensure it comes, it’s time to start preparing, leaving no stone unturned on your path to crafting the ultimate applicant profile. Whether you already have a concrete list of the universities you’re eyeing or are still mulling your options, you must first know what materials you need for your applications and when to submit them. With that in mind, A1 MBA Consulting is excited to continue our series covering application essentials for QS’s Top 25 MBA Programs in Europe. This post will take a deep dive into the five universities occupying the 11th to 15th places in the ranking: 11. Copenhagen Business School 12. ESCP Europe 13. IMD Business School 14. ESSEC Business School 15. Erasmus University (Rotterdam School of Management – RSM) Copenhagen Business School Application Deadlines: Round 1: 10 November 2024 Round 2: 10 January 2025 Round 3: 10 April 2025 Round 4: 10 June 2025 (Last Deadline for Non-EU Students) Round 5: 10 July 2025 (Last Deadline for EU Students) Application Materials:  Completed Digital Application Form Three Mandatory Essays – Yet to be Announced Two References GMAT (Minimum: 600) / GMAT Focus Edition (Minimum: 555) / GRE (Minimum Combined: 300) Score English Language Certification (IELTS or TOEFL) Full Academic Transcripts There is NO Application Fee to Apply to Copenhagen Business School Interview: Selected Candidates Will Be Invited to Choose Between an Online and In-Person Interview ESCP Europe Application Deadlines:  ESCP Europe is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it. Application Materials: Background Requirements: Hold a 4-Year Degree (240 ECTS) or a Master’s Degree in Any Discipline + 2 Years of Significant Professional Experience OR Hold a 3-Year Bachelor Degree (180 ECTS) in Any Discipline + 3 Years of Significant Professional Experience Completed Application Form English CV Official Degree Certificates and Transcripts GMAT / GMAT Focus Edition / GRE / Tage-Mage Score Report Professional Reference English Language Test (Only if Required): IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 100 Cambridge: C1 Level TOEIC: 950 Four Essay Questions (500-Word Maximum) – Yet to Be Announced €180 Application Fee Selected Candidates Will Be Invited to Conduct an Interview with the ESCP Europe Admissions Board IMD Business School Application Deadlines: IMD Business School is yet to announce its application calendar for students looking to enroll in September 2025. We will add this information as soon as the university publishes it. Application Materials: Completed Application Form Official University Transcripts from All Prior Degrees GMAT / GMAT Focus Edition / GRE Score (Test Taker Copy) CV Contact Details of a Professional/Academic Referee Mix of Fill-in-the-Blank and Short-Answer Explanations of Post-MBA Career Goals: Target Job Industry Target Job Function Target Geography List of Three Target Companies Describe Your Professional Network (50-Word Maximum) Which Skills & Experiences Will Aid Your Post-MBA Career Goals? What Are the Challenges and Roadblockers That You May Experience, and How Will You Overcome Them? (300-Word Maximum)  What Is Your Plan B if You Are Not Able to Secure Your Ideal Job Post-MBA? (50-Word Maximum)  Two Essays: 1. Tell Us Your Story. Make Sure You Include Specific Examples Relevant to the Application Process (300-400 Words). 2. Is There Any Additional Information That Is Critical for the Admissions Committee That Has Not Been Covered Elsewhere in This Application? (i.e. Re-Application, Health, Grades; 100-Word Maximum)  ESSEC Business School Application Deadlines: Round 1: 7 October 2024 Round 2: 18 November 2024 Round 3: 13 January 2025 Application Materials: Sufficient Applicant Profile (Click HERE to See the Minimum Requirements) Completed Application Form Current CV Essays – Yet to Be Announced Complete Degree Transcripts in English GMAT / GMAT Focus Edition / GRE / Tage-Mage Score Two Professional References in PDF Format Recognized English Language Proficiency Test Scores (TOEIC, TOEFL, or IELTS) In-Person or Online Interview – Only for Shortlisted Candidates Application Fee: €130 Erasmus University (Rotterdam School of Management – RSM) Application Deadlines: RSM is currently accepting applications for its MBA program beginning in January 2025. Here are the deadlines for the upcoming application rounds: 13 August 2024 1 October 2024 5 November 2025 Application Materials: Completed Application Form One Essay – Yet to Be Announced CV or LinkedIn Profile Two Referees (RSM Does Not Specify Academic or Professional Referees) Satisfactory GMAT / GMAT Focus / GRE, Shorter GRE / BAT Test Score Official Transcript and Copy of Your Diploma or Degree from Your College or University Copy of Your Passport € 100 Application Fee Candidates Invited for an Admissions Interview Must Complete a Video Response via Kira Talent Apply with Confidence: A1 MBA Consultant A1 MBA Consultant proudly offers superior admission consulting services at half the price of the market leaders. We dedicate ourselves to your applications as if they were our own. That’s why there are hundreds of A1 alumni who currently study/have graduated from top European B-Schools like the ones featured in today’s blog.  At A1, we are far more than glorified essay editors. We work relentlessly on 100% of your application – from your essays to your CV, interview, and networking – to highlight your unique experiences and abilities in a way that cannot be ignored by top-tier business schools. Want to work with us? Book a Free Consultation today to meet with Hadi Hussaini, our Founder, Head of Admission Consulting, and Head of GMAT Tutoring. If you decide to partner with A1, you’ll pay $3,000 for your first application, $1,000 for your second, and $500 for each one after that – far less than you’d shell out to work with other “top” consulting firms charging $7,000 – 20,000 for their boilerplate