Rochester Simon

Rochester, NY · Private · 2-year full-time

Average GMAT Focus: 625
Average GPA: 3.30
Class size: 92 (Class of 2027)
Program tuition: $120,000 (≈ 2 × first-year tuition)

Deadlines

Round 1: Oct. 15, 2026
Round 2: Jan. 5, 2027
Round 3: March 1, 2027
Round 4: May 1, 2027

Essays

Required essay (400–700 words total)

In 400–700 words total, respond to the following prompts: Describe your short-term and long-term post-graduation goals. Given the fluctuation of economic and industry hiring trends, identify a back-up plan should your short-term goal not be immediately attainable. How does your past education and experience support your career objectives? How will you leverage your Simon Business School experience to support your objectives? How have your personal, academic, professional, or volunteer experiences helped you value and engage with perspectives different from your own? How will you contribute to a community where all voices are heard at Simon?

Video essay (optional) (30 seconds to prepare, up to 90 seconds to answer; up to three attempts)

The video essay is an optional component of the full-time MBA application and gives you a chance to show us who you are beyond what we see on paper.

Editor's notes

Simon doesn't accept letters of recommendation, and the essay is now a single 400 to 700 word piece. So the written file is all your own words: the résumé, that essay and the optional video. Do the video.
Test-optional has a trap here. If you apply without a score, you can't add one later unless you're interviewed or waitlisted. Simon says to send a score if it's within or above the class's middle 80%, and it notes some employers in banking and consulting like to see one.
Simon's FAQ says not to rush for an early deadline and that it would rather see your strongest application in a later round. But scholarship funds shrink as the cycle goes on, and more than 90% of students get one. If your file is ready, Round 1 (Oct. 15) or Round 2 (Jan. 5) is where the money is.
The class is small: 92 students. The interview is by invitation and Simon treats it like a job interview, so come with a clear goal, a backup plan and questions of your own.