HBS 2013 - Calling All Waitlisted Applicants

Quick update. Dana replied that HBS is not currently releasing the number of students on the waitlist, but will send an email updated that may or may not included an updated number after May 30, the Round 3 decision deadline.

In other news, I got accepted into Booth today! My guess is it's fair to say that the chances of getting into HBS at this point are probably less than 10-20%, right? Has anyone heard anything?

Congrats on Booth. You have a decision on your hand. Yale vs Booth.

Thanks! I know. Just when I had finally decided Yale over Ross and Darden. But, it's a good decision to have to make. I think most people would think that it's a no brainer and to go to Booth, but Yale might make more sense for me given a few factors:

-I think that I will likely want to stay in education - if not immediately following b-school then in the long-term. For this reason, Yale's loan forgiveness program (100% loan forgiveness if you work non-profit for less than $84,000 and 50% loan forgiveness if you make less than $94,000) is really appealing. In addition, Yale's mission to produce leaders for business and society aligns with my own ambitions.

-I am betting that Synder will really grow Yale's program. If Yale's b-school gets within the top 5-10, then you a pretty killer combo in terms of brand new university + top business school.

That said, I would love to gain the harder quant skills from Booth (as someone without more than ~2 years of private sector experience) and it's a solidly top 5 program.

Any thoughts folks? (I realize this is probably not the right thread for this, but what the heck.)

Yale is definitely strong in the education/non profit and the loan forgiveness program is exciting, but I think in terms of overall quality and name brand/network, Booth wins hands down and it's not close. With that said, if you are 100% set on education and don't really care much about the overall brand, Yale might be a better choice for you. I honestly don't know much about education industry, so can't really comment on the recruitment at both schools, but I would imagine majority of the recruiters won't care if you are from either schools.

Obviously, I am secretly hoping that you get into HBS or go to Booth, so its easier for me to get off of Yale WL. Please keep us posted what you decide.

Is anybody actively campaigning to get off the list? I know that HBS says no new materials but wasn't sure whether conventional wisdom says otherwise.

Just waiting as patiently as possible.

Nope - from everything I've heard and talking to HBS peeps they say the adcom is pretty strict on this. I've heard that they will generally ignore updates as they say and can get annoyed if you reach out too much.

Do you think this holds true if an HBS alum is willing to send an email supporting your candidacy on your behalf. This is the one extra step that I have considered, but am not sure if it could actually work against me. What do you guys think?

Depends on the seniority. If it's a recent alum (last 5 years or so) and someone not senior (i.e. Partner at a firm, big donor, VP / Executive) I've heard it doesn't do anything. If it's someone senior who has been a good donor to HBS it can make a difference.

I'm guessing they haven't really accepted anyone off the WL the last two weeks and will proceed to do so post-May 30th?

I remember in one email they had said they would be accepting ~20 off the WL through the rest of May and June... but sounds like in practice it's really just June.

Hi All, I have good news for you.

I am relinquishing myself from the waitlist today. Just emailed Dana.

That should narrow the pile down for those of you still holding out, so good luck! I wish you all the best, at HBS, another program this year, or with the decision to apply again next go-round!

So... may 30 has come and gone, no word here. Any news?

No word here either.

Crickets

Why update us now? We've only been doing this for 6 months.

Or 9, but who's counting

Question: are they accepting people on a rolling basis, or are they deciding on a rolling basis. (In other words, are they mostly just sending out "yes" decisions until their next publicized "release" date, or could I receive a "yes" or "no" at any time?)

Also, of those on the waitlist, how likely would you be to take the spot if you got it?