This happens every year. \u00a0You have invested significant amount of time and effort into your MBA applications, have done well at your interview, and are now waiting eagerly to get that coveted admit offer. \u00a0Instead, you receive that discouraging letter that you have been \u2018waitlisted\u2019. \u00a0Being on the waitlist is understandably a tricky situation that is good news as well as bad news. \u00a0The bad news is that you will have to wait a bit longer to get in, and the good news is that the \u2018waitlist\u2019 is not the end of your MBA dreams. \u00a0There is a bright side to it as well. \u00a0It gives you confidence that you have reached this far, and there is still hope of getting off the waitlist if you work hard. \u00a0You have not been denied but are given another chance to prove to the admissions committee that you are a deserving candidate.<\/p>\n
Please note that business schools put only qualified candidates on the waitlist. \u00a0Sometimes, the schools put you on the waitlist because of something you did. \u00a0Sometimes you are on the waitlist because you belong to a highly competitive pool, such as the pool of Indian foreign national male engineers. In this case, the volume of qualified applicants with strong applications is high and the Admissions Committee finds other candidates more compelling, for some reason. Oftentimes, it is simply a numbers game and schools have to wait and see how students from your demographic are accepting or not accepting their admission offers.<\/p>\n
So if you end up on the waitlist, don\u2019t lose heart. \u00a0Here are some steps that you can take to get off the waitlist:<\/p>\n
After you get over your initial disappointment, go ahead and take your first step. Thank the school for continuing to consider your application and mention how the school\u2019s resources and motto fit your educational preferences and goals. Be positive and do not mention your disappointment on not being offered the letter of admission.<\/p>\n
Applicants should follow the waitlist instructions provided by each school. Some schools make it clear that they will reach out to you when the time comes. For example Wharton and Harvard Business School, ask candidates not to provide additional material. Wharton only accepts updates to your GMAT score, a new job, or additional coursework.\u00a0\u00a0So follow the instructions. Some schools, however, provide the applicant with feedback on weak areas and will accept new pieces of information. \u00a0Some schools want you to follow up with additional information, such as a new recommender, update on your job or progress report on classes you might be taking. Whatever they say, do it.<\/p>\n
Review your application again or have an expert do it for you. \u00a0Have you missed anything good? \u00a0Has there been any significant improvement since you submitted your application? \u00a0Have you led a project or organization? \u00a0Have you volunteered or have taken a leadership role in a non - profit? \u00a0Have you taken your department, business, or club in a new direction? \u00a0Have you published an article or earned a patent? \u00a0Have you launched a business? \u00a0Have you recently received a promotion or assumed additional responsibility? \u00a0Have you succeeded in a particularly demanding class or project? \u00a0In short, you should bring out any recent accomplishments not discussed in your application and, if possible, tie them back to some of the themes or experiences you have discussed in your essay(s).<\/p>\n
In order to show to the Ad Com that you are serious, you should directly address shortcomings of your application. \u00a0For instance, if your GMAT score is lower than ideal, consider retaking the GMAT and show improvement. \u00a0If you have a low quant score on the GMAT, make sure to take some stats classes at your local community college. \u00a0If you lack an analytical background, take a Math class at a community college and earn an \u2018A\u2019. The admissions committee will appreciate that you are committed to improving your qualifications and are addressing shortfalls in your application. \u00a0If your GPA is low and you didn\u2019t create an alternate transcript, now might be a good time to do something in that direction. GMAT and GPA are the two key reasons why candidates are waitlisted.<\/p>\n
An additional LOR can go a long way, especially if you missed something elsewhere in your application.\u00a0 Approach someone for an additional reference. \u00a0And again, ask a third party to read your materials with a fresh set of eyes to identify any kind of gap.\u00a0 Seek an additional letter of recommendation from someone who can attest to your leadership and character. \u00a0You can ask someone senior at your work or a key leader at a non -profit organization where you are handling leadership role. \u00a0You can also consider securing a recommendation from an alumni member of the school in question, particularly if the alumni member has achieved notable success. \u00a0The ideal additional recommendation letters will shed light on a new dimension to your applicant<\/span> profile that was not evident in your previous letters. \u00a0An additional LOR will help if your earlier LORS were not as strong as you had expected them to me.<\/p>\n Visiting the school can also show the admissions committee that you are serious about attending the program. \u00a0In your letter, explain how the visit demonstrated that you were a good fit for the school, how the specific program would help you achieve your long-term goals, and how you can contribute to the school community. \u00a0Some admission committee members feel more strongly about visits than others. \u00a0But they do understand that if you are an international candidate, it\u2019s not always a realistic expectation. \u00a0However, if the school is conducting info sessions in your city or your country, it\u2019s a good idea to attend that.<\/p>\n If you think that you have not articulated or communicated your goals with enough details, then this is the time to work in that area. \u00a0The schools want to know that you have a clear idea of what your post MBA goals are and how you plan to progress from short term to long term goals. \u00a0Do more research, talk to students and alumni, and reach out to the people in the industry you are targeting.<\/p>\n If the school is your first choice and you are certain that you would attend this school, make it clear to the admissions committee that you will be willing to accept an offer the same day it was extended and pay the tuition deposit immediately. \u00a0Making clear how passionate you are about the school would definitely help the school look at your application positively.<\/p>\n Whatever additional information you are giving, keep your essay\/e-mail crisp and to the point\u2014500-750 words. \u00a0Don\u2019t rewrite or even summarize your life history or essays. \u00a0Stay focused on what you have accomplished since you submitted your application.<\/p>\n Be realistic and have a Plan-B because wait- lists don\u2019t always translate into admit offers. \u00a0Now is the time to build and put into action a backup plan.\u00a0 Make up your mind if you would like to apply to more schools or decide to stay at your job for another year. \u00a0Whatever you decide, you must have a viable option. \u00a0Personally, I have seen applicants applying to more schools while simultaneously taking the necessary steps to get off the waitlist.<\/p>\n Lastly, and most importantly, be patient. \u00a0Do not panic and jeopardize your application by sending daily emails to the admission committee members or making constant calls to the admissions office. \u00a0Instead, focus on other applications you might be working on and remain positive. \u00a0I recommend that you stay in touch with the school every 3 to 4 weeks\u00a0with an interesting update and notify them of the steps you are taking to strengthen your application. \u00a0But reach out to them only if you have something to say. \u00a0Do not contact them just to say that you are still interested as this might work against you.<\/p>\n If you have taken all the necessary steps, rest assured that you have done your best to get to the finish line. \u00a0All you can do now is stay strong and positive\u2014as you wait on this last leg of the MBA admissions process.<\/p>\n Good luck!<\/p>\n This article first appeared in myEssayReview\u00a0 <\/a>blog.<\/p>\n6.Visit the School:<\/h2>\n
7.Elaborate short Term and long term goals:<\/h2>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0 Restate Your Interest:<\/h2>\n
\u00a09. Have a Plan B:<\/h2>\n
10. Be patient:<\/h2>\n