Waitlisted? What To Do Now

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Dec 17, 2010

If you receive a waitlist notice, you will most likely not know how to feel. It is not an acceptance and yet you have not been rejected. The first thing to remember to do when you are waitlisted is to congratulate yourself. While this may not be the answer that you would like, you should know that far more people are denied admission than put on the waitlist. If you are waitlisted, you are still competing for a spot, and your application has passed an important step.

There are a number of unknowns associated with the waitlist, even for the admissions committees. Until an admissions team understands how many applicants will accept their invitations and until they start to understand who is exactly in the class, they will not know how many applicants will be admitted from the waitlist and who those people will be. In most situations, the waitlist is not even ranked. The admissions team is examining the class composition and trying to make sure that it is a well-rounded class.

While the waitlist may imply additional pain, it is usually an opportunity to further market yourself to the admissions team. It is important to follow the rules, so make sure you understand your business schools policy. Some MBA programs ask that you not submit additional materials, but most business schools encourage the additional information.

If additional materials are encouraged, you may wonder what is appropriate to send. While each situation is unique, the following is a list of things to consider:

1. Is your GMAT score below the MBA programs mean? If so, consider retaking the GMAT test.
2. Did you make any contacts within the admissions committee? If so, then now would be the right time to reach out to these people and ask how you can improve your candidacy.
3. Reiterate your interest in the MBA program and commitment to the business school through written communication.
4. Do you have someone who could write a recommendation for you to provide a new perspective on your abilities and personality?
5. If you have any differences to report related to personal or experiences, write a letter outlining these changes.
6. If you have not yet interviewed or the MBA program and an interview is offered, make sure to take the opportunity!

For more robust guidance on your MBA application essays, check out the Stacy Blackman Consulting Essay Guide Series school specific guides with essay tips, sample essays, information on what your target schools value and more.

Visit http://www.stacyblackman.com/essay-guides/ to learn more.