Do you tell them they're your first choice?

Expert replies

baume7: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:57 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by baume7 » Sat Nov 19, 2011 7:37 pm

This is something I've been thinking about lately. Is it right to tell a representative (during interviews, e-mails, phone calls) that their school is your first choice? That is only if it really is, of course. I have no problems telling the rep that their school is my first choice, but then it got me thinking, could this possibly hurt my chances with them thinking they can put me on waitlist/take longer in getting back to me since they know that if admitted I'd accept the offer immediately?

Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Sat Nov 19, 2011 7:37 pm

down_not_out: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 8; Joined: Mon Nov 14, 2011 6:36 pmFollowed by: 1 member

by down_not_out » Sat Nov 19, 2011 10:47 pm

u r thinking overtime friend...

ya do tell them.. its fine..

if they ask for ur back up plans.. preferrably tell them names of schools that are lower in rankings.. .e.g., if u apply for ISB, tell them ur back up is naynang or NUS.. don't by any means say ur back up is a Wharton or LSB... that only means ur back up really is ISB

just my 2 cents.. am no expert

bizschoolprep: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 78; Joined: Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:13 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Location: New York City, NY; Thanked: 11 times

by bizschoolprep » Sun Nov 20, 2011 1:14 am

baume7 wrote:This is something I've been thinking about lately. Is it right to tell a representative (during interviews, e-mails, phone calls) that their school is your first choice? That is only if it really is, of course. I have no problems telling the rep that their school is my first choice, but then it got me thinking, could this possibly hurt my chances with them thinking they can put me on waitlist/take longer in getting back to me since they know that if admitted I'd accept the offer immediately?

Adcom doesn't have time to play with applicants. Moreover, they know that you are going to apply to other schools. If they feel that you are the right candidate, you will get the offer. Period.

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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 amFollowed by: 332 members; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times

by Jon@Admissionado » Sun Nov 20, 2011 6:51 am

If the school is your first choice (or your only choice) this is something that you should definitely write. Be honest about it of course. The reasoning behind this is that assuming you are being honest, if they are hesitating about you, they might convert it into a yes because it will help their yield %.

Last edited by Jon@Admissionado on Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:38 am, edited 1 time in total.

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FutureWorks: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 311; Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:42 amFollowed by: 18 members; Thanked: 45 times

by FutureWorks » Mon Nov 21, 2011 5:08 am

Hi Baume,

There is definitely no problem in telling that the given school is your first choice. Many students apply to just one school and make it. If a school is your first priority the school will not in any way take you as granted. All the very best

Thanks!
Kavita Singh
FutureWorks Consulting

baume7: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:57 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by baume7 » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:52 am

thanks for the great tips everyone!! I'll be interviewing with my first choice school in just a few minutes

Kaneisha Grayson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 213; Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:15 amFollowed by: 31 members; Location: Austin, TX; Thanked: 44 times; GMAT Score:620

by Kaneisha Grayson » Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:28 pm

How did the interview go??? Did you end up telling the rep that it was your first choice?

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baume7: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:57 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 1 times

by baume7 » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:28 pm

The interview went great! And yes I ended up telling the interviewer that the school was my first choice and I just found out that I've been admitted!

Found exactly a week after the interview.

Kaneisha Grayson: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 213; Joined: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:15 amFollowed by: 31 members; Location: Austin, TX; Thanked: 44 times; GMAT Score:620

by Kaneisha Grayson » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:36 pm

Awesome and congrats! I love to hear the end of stories!

money9111: Legendary Member; Posts: 2109; Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2009 10:25 pmFollowed by: 79 members; Location: New Jersey; Thanked: 109 times; GMAT Score:640

by money9111 » Sun Dec 11, 2011 5:14 pm

"Adcom doesn't have time to play with applicants. Moreover, they know that you are going to apply to other schools. If they feel that you are the right candidate, you will get the offer. Period."

Lol true story! If you get into a situation where they will really take into account that they're your first choice, it will probably be right before a deposit deadline. Don't play games... they've seen it all!

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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 amFollowed by: 332 members; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times

by Jon@Admissionado » Mon Dec 12, 2011 4:20 pm

Dude!
Congrats!

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