{"id":29650,"date":"2015-07-20T11:09:12","date_gmt":"2015-07-20T18:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=29650"},"modified":"2015-07-20T12:19:39","modified_gmt":"2015-07-20T19:19:39","slug":"waitlisted-what-now-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/waitlisted-what-now-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Waitlisted – What Now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Being put on the waitlist could mean that your goal is almost within reach!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Waitlisted - What Now?<\/em>\" is the latest post in our series Navigate the MBA Maze<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First, a word of introduction: Realize that receiving a wait-list letter means you qualify for admission. You pass. You are probably on the wait-list<\/a> (and not admitted) because they have already admitted applicants with your profile and want diversity in the class. Or they find your qualifications impressive, but find someone else\u2019s even more so.<\/p>\n

I encourage you to seize the initiative\u00a0and launch a campaign. Unless the school discourages additional contact, take a proactive approach. You have already shown that you qualify for the school; otherwise you wouldn\u2019t find yourself on the wait-list. They like you. Now give the adcom additional reasons to admit you by writing a succinct wait-list letter.<\/p>\n

Your waitlist updates and letters of support from others should focus on three areas:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Your qualifications: specifically recent professional achievements, academics, research, increases in responsibilities, initiatives, and community service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong>\u00a0Steps you have taken to ameliorate weaknesses.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> How you fit\u00a0with the school.<\/p>\n

The first two areas demonstrate that you are an even better applicant today than you were when you applied. The third reveals that you belong at that school like a hand fits in a snug glove on a cold winter day, and that you will attend if, or should I say when, accepted.<\/p>\n

Suggestions for a Waitlist Update:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> Briefly thank the school<\/strong> for continuing to consider your application and mention how the school\u2019s philosophy and approach fit your educational preferences and goals. Don\u2019t dwell on your disappointment at not being accepted.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong>\u00a0Agree to take any additional courses<\/strong> or follow any additional instructions provided.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong>\u00a0Discuss recent achievements.<\/strong> Did you have a 4.0 during the last quarter? Have you led a project or organization? Volunteered? Have you taken your department, business, or club in a new direction? Have you had an article published? Earned a patent? Launched a business? Received a promotion or assumed additional responsibilities?\u00a0Succeeded in a particularly demanding class or project? You should bring out any recent accomplishments<\/a> not discussed in your application and ideally tie them back to some of the themes or experiences you raised in your essays.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong>\u00a0Discuss how you have addressed shortcomings<\/strong>\u2014without highlighting them. For example, if you enrolled in Toastmasters to improve your communications skills, inform the adcom that you did so two months ago, tell them of any awards you have won, and enlighten them as to how much you are enjoying the experience. BUT don\u2019t say that you are doing all this because you are concerned about your low verbal score or sub-standard grades in social science courses.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong>\u00a0If you are certain you would attend this school, make it clear that this is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep the letter short and sweet -- two pages max. Don\u2019t succumb to the temptation to rewrite or even summarize your life history or essays. Stay focused on what you have accomplished since applying.<\/p>\n

Accepted.com\u2019s editors are available to help you evaluate your application, advise you on your wait-list strategy, and edit wait-list letters. For more information, please visit our wait-list services<\/a>\u00a0for more details.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n


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