-
Target Test Prep 20% Off Flash Sale is on! Code: FLASH20
Redeem
Find Zen While You Stay on the Waitlist
If you were a Round 1 applicant this season, over the last few weeks, you might have received great news, upsetting news, or a mix of both— otherwise known as placement on the waitlist.
First of all, the waitlist is encouraging feedback. It means that you are qualified to attend the program. Your application and profile interested the AdCom, but the 2020-21 season is extraordinarily competitive. Unfortunately, they couldn’t immediately offer you a place in the class.
No matter the reason, the waitlist is still a tough place to be. So try to stay calm and adopt a zen mindset. This will help you accept what is while making any changes within your power.
Will I get in?
There is almost no way to know if you will get admitted off the waitlist. It certainly does happen, often, yet you have little information about the waitlist's ranking, how many people are on the waitlist, or whether the school will reach the yield they are looking for with regular applicants.
Therefore, remaining on the waitlist means requires comfort with ambiguity. Hopefully, you were admitted to another school and can decide whether to stay in limbo or not.
Should I stay on the waitlist?
The decision to stay on the waitlist depends on your interest level in that MBA program. If it is your top choice, you may be willing to remain on the list until school begins, especially if you are willing to move quickly and give up a deposit on a school that has offered you firm admission.
If the waitlisting program is not your first choice, or you would like to settle your MBA plans before school starts, you may choose to remove your name from the list. It is a considerate move for another applicant if you do so promptly, allowing someone else a chance at their MBA dream.
Can I improve my chances of admission from the waitlist?
You may be able to improve your chances. The number one rule of waitlists is to follow directions. The school has provided instructions about how to handle the waitlist process. Follow these directions to avoid negatively impacting your standing with the admissions committee.
If the school tells you that no additional materials are required, no supplemental materials are needed, and you should not submit any under any circumstances.
If the MBA program does provide the option of submitting additional materials, apply a consistent application strategy to the task. The AdCom may welcome letters of recommendation, improved GMAT scores, or other essays/letters from you.
Carefully consider your strengths and weaknesses and whether the following would be beneficial in your situation:
Supplemental Letter
Have you recently received a promotion at work, accomplished a personal goal, or completed an academic class with a high grade? If so, it may be worth writing a letter to update the admissions committee with your news. Try to keep your letter factual and do not repeat information already included in your original application.
Supplemental Recommendation
A supplemental recommendation may add information about you to strengthen your position on the waitlist. If you are involved in an extracurricular activity, know someone associated with the school, or can use a letter to enhance a part of your application, this may be the right direction to proceed in.
Make sure your additional recommendation is brief, focused, and adds significant additional information to your overall profile.
New GMAT/GRE Score, Transcripts
Factual information like improved GMAT/GRE scores or transcripts from successful business-related classes could go a long way towards bolstering your chances.
While waitlist standing is frustrating, it is a positive indication for your application. In the end, you may receive final admission from your chosen program. In the meantime, do yoga, meditate, go for a run–whatever you can do to maintain your inner peace as you wait to hear a formal decision.
Good luck!
***
Stacy Blackman Consulting is the only MBA admissions firm with a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every M7 program and the elite European MBA programs. If you are looking for guidance on your MBA application, we can help with hourly and comprehensive consulting services. Contact us to learn more.
Recent Articles
Archive
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009