Beat The GMAT

Amy · Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:55 pm

I have re-posted this from Stacy Blackman's blog, which you can access directly at: http://blog.stacyblackman.com

Waitlist Tips

As we approach the decision time of year for first round, many applicants will receive the confusing result of being waitlisted.

While the waitlist is definitely not what you were hoping for, don't give up hope. In fact, there may be steps you can take to increase your chances of admission.

First, take note of each school's waitlist policy. In past years some schools, such as Wharton, only wanted to hear whether or not you want to remain on the waitlist. This means you don't have to do any more work, but it can be frustrating to have no control over your situation.

However, other schools in previous years, such as Stanford, Columbia, and Kellogg, have been open to hearing more from waitlisted candidates. While this allows you to take some action, it also means quite a bit of work. Here are some concrete steps you can take:

Feedback: You can contact the admissions committee to get feedback on your application. What they say should inform your efforts moving forward - Do you need to increase your responsibilities at work? Or take on more volunteer work? Or improve your GMAT score?

Update Letter: Begin with a letter that reiterates your interest and provides an update of activities since you submitted your application - promotions/changes in scope of work/additional responsibility, travel plans, classes taken, new GMAT score, changes in volunteer activities, and personal activities such as learning a language, completing a triatholon or taking on a new hobby. Be sure to include why these updates make you a better candidate than before. How will your activities make you a student who will further enrich their program?

Reference: You can also submit an extra letter of recommendation. However, please be sure it adds new information and a different perspective from your professional recommendations. For example, it could be a letter from someone you volunteer with.

GMAT: Sometimes an improved GMAT score can tip the scales in your favor. However, before you get to work on improving your score, ask the school directly if this would help.

Keep in touch with the Admissions Committee: Check in with them regularly (email is a great method) to demonstrate interest and keep them updated on your situation. Be sure to keep the updates meaningful and do not pester them by asking constant questions.

Before you contact a school with any information, check with their specific policies on how much they want to hear from you - Are they open to receiving just an update letter? Are they willing to read an additional recommendation? Do they want regular updates? You want to do as much as you can without disregarding their requests or overloading their staff. Above all remember that you are still in the game!

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hp2009 · Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:14 am

Thanks Amy for your advice. I applied in Round 2 and just heard I have been waitlisted a few days ago. The school welcomes any updates that I think can strengthen my application. I emailed the adcom asking for advice and am waiting to hear back. I have a few questions regarding my plan of action:

1. My GMAT score is 30 points below the average stated in the class profile, should I retake the test? If yes, I would need at least 3 weeks to do additional practice tests and questions to feel prepared and confident I can pull up my score. I'm not working currently, so I can devote full-time to studying.

2. Since I'm not working, I'm devoting my time to community service currently. I serve as the marketing co-chair for a non-profit. Would it be a good idea to ask my co-chair to write a letter of support for me? The 2 recs I submitted with the app were professional. I am also involved in new community service activities since I submitted the app a month ago and plan on mentioning it in my waitlist letter.

I have visited the school twice (once to interview and the other for a class visit). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Lisa Anderson · Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:02 am

Dear hp2009,

I think increasing your GMAT score would definitely help in your case since you are 30 points below the average. I also agree that a recommendation from your current community services activities along with an update would be helpful. It sounds like you are doing all that you can do and your efforts to improve your application will be noted when the school re-evaluates your file.

Best of luck,
Lisa

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CP522 · Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:50 am

I was recently wait listed and I would like to know what kind of additional recommendation should I submit. Should I get another professional recommendation or would a personal recommendation shed some more light on my candidacy?

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Lisa Anderson · Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:14 am

Dear CP522,

Generally, professional recommendations are preferred over personal recommendations. However, if you submit an additional recommendation, be sure it is saying something different than the recommendations already submitted. If it is not providing another perspective to your skills and abilities, then the additional recommendation will not add any value.

Good luck,
Lisa

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Vitalina · Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:32 am

Hey Lisa,

I was waitlisted at Judge. Sad

The email that I got says that 'If you have any questions or if your circumstances significantly change, then please do not hesitate to contact us'

Can I treat it as a subtle invitation to provide more info? I can definitely submit another rec, for example. I used to work as a global project manager, and then I changed jobs to key account manager, which kind of looks better on CV ))

Or shall I patiently wait for them to make a contact?

Thanks in advance!

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Lisa Anderson · Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:08 pm

Dear Vitalina,

You absolutely want to contact Judge to inquire about what you can do to strengthen your application to reach a positive decision. It might be an additional letter of recommendation, but it might be something else. You need to find out what the admissions committee has a concern about, if anything, and what you can do to address the concern. Stay positive and periodically keep in touch with the admissions office to express your continued interest until you get a final decision.

Best of luck,
Lisa

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