Managing Different Rounds, WL Interview, and Scholarship

Question

I recently received the opportunity to interview off the R1 waitlist for a T10 school. (I will be interviewing with R2 applicants.)

Background Info  
During R1:
- Dinged at the only M7 school I applied to, also the only school I applied to ranked higher than this T10. 
- Admit and substantial scholarship at a T15.
R2 I applied to one additional school, another T15.

Questions 
- How do I handle waitlist candidacy during this interview? Do I mention that I was WL or that I had applied R1? (eg: I am here because I really like this school even though I have an offer and $ from T15)
- If I get asked about other schools I applied to, do I mention the M7? The ding? (Again, this M7 is the only school I applied to that was ranked higher than the T10 I am interviewing at.)
- Do I mention that I am in at a T15 program with scholarship? 
- Do I mention that I decided to apply to another T15 program R2 or leave this off the list? (Does it look like I am unhappy with the existing T15 offer and give the impression that I would jump ship to this T10 without $?)

T10 and T15($$) are my top choices, but I would have a hard time going to T10 with no scholarship. 
I have not visited the T15 I applied to in R2 (but would go visit for an interview.)

What are your thoughts on how to tactfully bring up these other schools and scholarship? Or do I just not say anything at all?

souvik101990 · Answer

Welcome to first world problems,  newgirl . You are going to love it here.

I am a second year student at Ross and my opinions are based off of my interactions with Rossers and a bunch of other M7-T10-T1503324234 school applicants at GMAT Club.

1. You DO NOT need to mention your WL status to your interviewer. Most likely, your interviewer will be a current student and an alum and they will never be given your application status (removing bias is a big part of interviewing).

2. Most interviewers will not ask you which other schools you are waiting on/have offers from. It will never be a conversation. The only time I had that question was in a Tuck interview with their admissions director who is, well for the lack of a better phrase, not very well liked.

So I'd say, go nail the interview. Once you have the admit, see if you can squeeze in some $$. Also know that interviewers do not decide whether you get a scholarship, so don't even think about those variables right now. Focus on bringing your A-Game during the interviews.

And while you are at it, come check out our new  career forum  (the first two threads are new and more coming soon!)

VantagePointKatie · Answer

I wouldn't stress too much. Don't offer up your status as a WL or any info about other schools unless specifically asked. In that case, I would mention the other schools to which you applied and then shift focus back to why the school where you are interviewing is the best fit for you. Good luck!

FuturePM91 · Answer

Hi! The general rule of thumb is to not mention other schools during an interview ever unless you’re directly asked. It’s likely that they won’t ask you at all. It’s also likely that your interviewer doesn’t know you were waitlisted. So just play it cool and if they ask where else you applied they are looking for two things 1) did you do the research to pick schools that are similar culture fits/career fits and 2) how likely is this candidate to pick us. Typically this is asked at lower ranked schools of candidates with very high stats. So again it’s unlikely that it will come up. IF it does answer honestly and don’t tell them the outcomes unless they specifically ask (which 90% chance they won’t)

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Managing Different Rounds, WL Interview, and Scholarship

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