friskymarkets
I'd applied to a bunch of schools last year and got just 1 T10 admit. I decided to decline the admit given it wasn't my target school and a change in my personal circumstances as well. Should I mention this is my essays to other schools in T10/T15 range? Especially the ones in which I got waitlisted and will be reapplying to?
What reasoning should I provide that might make my case stronger?
I'd strongly recommend that you don't as it doesn't solve any purpose but can only give a wrong impression about you.
If you are reapplying to b-schools, you will have to write an additional reapplicant essay. Besides your T10 admit not being relevant for the b-schools, the space offered for the reapplicant essay is usually very short (200 to 350 words). You should utilize that properly to write something about how your candidature has improved since you last applied. Adding about a previous admit will make you sound boastful for no reason.
Typically the best reapplicant essays (that will make your case stronger) are the ones that show:
1. growth in job profile and ECAs
2. more maturity
3. better understanding of the program where you are reapplying. Make them see how it fits into your career aspirations, how you will gain from the b-school, and more importantly, how will you contribute to others.
4. better understanding of goals if your goals were vague in the last application.
Hope that helps