Ohio State Fisher

Columbus, OH · Public · 2-year full-time

Average GMAT Focus: 653
Average GPA: 3.49
Class size: 100 (Class of 2027)
Median base salary: $118,000 (Class of 2025)
Program tuition: $125,076 (≈ 2 × first-year tuition, nonresident)

Deadlines

Early Round: Sept. 14, 2026
Round 1: Oct. 13, 2026
Round 2: Jan. 18, 2027
Round 3: March 8, 2027
Round 4: April 1, 2027
Final Round: May 3, 2027

Essays

Essay (One single-sided page, 11-point font minimum)

What are your short-term career goals and long-term career goals? How/why will an MBA help you achieve those goals?

Supplemental essay (optional) (500 words)

The optional supplemental essay can be used to address any circumstances you’d like the Admissions Committee to be aware of (gaps in work history, explaining your quant ability through work experience, past academic performance, test waiver requests, etc.). This is a valuable opportunity to speak directly to the committee or highlight something not in the rest of your application. Students who request a GRE/GMAT/EA test waiver may write an optional supplemental essay to clarify how they meet the outlined criteria. The admissions committee will utilize this in consideration of a waiver permission.

Kira video interview (About 20–30 minutes; timed prep and answer per question)

Each applicant will be required to complete an online assessment comprised of pre-recorded video questions (delivered via Fisher's Kira Talent platform). Since live interviews are by invitation only, the video interview is a way for us to virtually meet you and get a sense of your personality and potential beyond what you've included in your application.

Editor's notes

Funding is the real reason to move early. Fisher says about 75% of students get merit funding, including assistantships that cover half or all of tuition, and early applicants get priority. Round 1 on Oct. 13 is the next date. If you need money, don't wait past Round 3, which is Fisher's own cutoff advice.
A round deadline isn't the whole deadline. Your checklist, including the Kira video, has to be complete three weeks before the decision date, and nothing gets reviewed until it is. Start the application now even if you submit later, because that's what triggers the Kira invitation.
Decide about the test before you send any scores. Fisher won't consider a waiver once you've sent scores to Ohio State, and it only reviews waiver requests after a complete application is in. If you qualify through quant grades, a STEM degree or a certification, use the supplemental essay to make the case.
Fisher says applying early signals interest and that it values strong interest. The cheapest way to show it is a preview event: a campus visit, a chance at a live interview and a travel stipend of up to $500.