How to draft persuasive Waitlist Letters for getting the MBA admit

­­I have observed how so many applicants are unsure how to deal with the wait list status. And due to a lack of guidance, many, especially those applying on their own, fail to take the necessary steps and jeopardize their chances by failing to turn waiting lists into offers.

Waitlists can arise for a variety of reasons, such as if adcoms like your profile but no more spots are available, or if adcoms like your profile but want to wait to see what the next round of alternatives brings. If this is the case for you, you cannot just wait and hope for a positive decision. Most schools do not even rank the waitlists, so the decision of who gets off the waitlist may ultimately depend on subjective factors such as demonstrated enthusiasm.

Next steps after waitlists

Once you have been apprised of your waitlisted status, follow closely the school's instructions regarding their waiting list procedures. First and foremost, accept the pending status of the waiting list in the manner prescribed by the school and indicate your intent to submit a comprehensive update of the waiting list soon in the near future. This must be done over a mail or on the admissions portal.

If you haven't yet had the opportunity to visit the school earlier, visiting the school during the waitlist period can turn the decision in your favor. You may request for a campus tour, attend a class, and speak to current students. The farther you're from the school, the more effective your visit will be on your waitlist decision. Even if you have visited the school before, you should consider visiting again to gain an additional impression.

Its always a great idea to create a detailed plan for your school visit and inquire about the possibility of making an appointment with a member of the admissions committee. While it's not entirely easy, the value of an impromptu meeting while on campus can also not be underestimated.

Waitlisted applicants who haven't yet had an interview should make every effort to schedule an on-campus, in-person interview or even a remote one. If this isn't possible, schedule an interview with an alumnus. This would give you more material to speak about in your waitlist letter.

If you can't make formal appointments, make your way to campus and talk to professors, students, or both. If the school doesn't offer formal appointments, you can have informal conversations with students on campus to gain insight which you can later utilize in your waitlist letter.

Do not forget to thank those you interacted with to gain more insights regarding the school. In your waitlist letter, emphasize your interest in the school and how the visit played a key role in solidifying that interest.

How to draft a strategic waitlist letter?

After a few days of accepting the school's waitlist offer give the Adcom more grounds to admit you in the form of a waitlist letter. You may also send a copy of your waitlist letter to your interviewer to keep him or her informed. You never know who might help you during this critical time.

Here are the important sections that waitlisted applicants must cover in the waitlist letters.

1. Introduction

In the introduction, acknowledge your waitlisted status with a positive and appreciative tone, laying the foundation for a constructive engagement with the adcom. No adcom member would appreciate a critical tone from a waitlisted applicant.
In the introductory paragraph itself, outline the developments in your professional and personal life since your initial application and specifically hint toward efforts you have made to overcome any identified weaknesses in your application. If the school allows you to submit an additional letter of recommendation, mention the inclusion of an extra letter of recommendation from a new recommender, offering a unique perspective on your profile.

2. The Body

Part 1 - Demonstrate School Fit
In the first part of the body, rather than regurgitating the content of your previous essays, bring a fresh perspective to your writing about how are a great fit for the schools. Emphasize how the school's culture aligns with your preferences and aspirations. Do not forget to introduce new examples that vividly illustrate this philosophy or approach.

For example, you may recount your recent visit to the school. You may share specific experiences, such as attending a class or talking with students in the cafeteria, that provided valuable insight into the culture of the program that you did not have earlier. Build on the conversations you had with the students or staff on campus and describe what they said and what aspects left a lasting impression.

You may further reflect on your recent work or research endeavors and emphasize how they led you to engage with a faculty member's work. Highlight the connections between your interests and the faculty or department and demonstrate authentic affinities that will resonate with the admissions committee. This personal and detailed approach adds depth and authenticity to your expression of continued interest in the program.

Part 2 - Show Recent Developments

In the body of the letter, you must share news about new achievements, initiatives and developments in your life. Show how you are an even stronger candidate now than you were 2 months ago. This may include promotions, new leadership roles, extracurricular activities or professional skills gained. Thing, did you lead a new project or an organization during this period? Did you volunteer? Have you steered initiatives in a different direction? Have you secured a patent or an award or a recognition? Have you been promoted or taken on additional responsibilities? In short, mention any recent accomplishments that you did not mention in your application earlier.

Basically, anything that has happened in your professional or social life since you applied can be presented as a development that has strengthened your application if you analyze it correctly. But never try to present a non-achievement as an achievement. Rather, show how you have changed and improved since your first application and you will increase your chances of successfully getting through the waiting list.

Part 3 - Address waitlist related concerns

Read into the school's waitlist notification for indications of deficiencies in your profile. Some schools openly communicate their concerns or problems to waitlist applicants in the notification such as recommending that you retake the GMAT. Other schools simply ask you to contact them directly. Whatever the scenario, you can get an idea of what's holding you back by speaking with someone who has experience with B school admissions.

I would say it's rather easy to find out if your GMAT score is below the school average. If this is the case, you should retake it. Other common application deficiencies include poor academic history, vague career goals, insufficient work experience, insufficient community or extracurricular involvement, insufficient demonstrated interest in the B school, or insufficient emphasis on what makes the applicant's profile or potential contribution unique. Review your application carefully with the help of an expert to determine if any of these points apply.

You must also pay heed to your undergrad transcripts and take relevant courses in the weak areas, to show you are committed to getting the admit. If your grades in calculus, statistics, accounting or economics were mediocre, you should take courses in these subjects and let the school know. If you have a liberal arts background, take calculus and statistics. If you get an A in any of these courses, you should submit the proof of improvement as early as possible.

Address your perceived shortcomings without emphasizing them. For example, if you have a low sore on the GMAT verbal, and you joined Toastmasters to improve your English, tell the school that you joined Toastmasters two months ago, won the extempore and that the whole experience was enjoyable because of the friends you made and the confidence you gained. As you can see, the focus should remain on showcasing the growth areas. Do not succumb to the temptation to rewrite or even summarize your life story or essays. It will not do much good.

3. Conclusion to the letter

In the concluding remarks of the letter, affirm your gratitude and enthusiasm and avoid repeating the introduction verbatim. If space permits, briefly summarize the unique factors or conditions you bring to the school. If this institution is clearly your first choice, express your full commitment and willingness to accept an offer of admission immediately.

If an additional letter of recommendation is not included but is in the works, tell the school about the recommender and highlight the special aspects they will emphasize. Explain your willingness to do what you can to improve your application and offer additional information if needed. Sincerely thank the committee for their time and attention.

Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. We do not cap discussion hours.

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
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