Wait-listed at Yale without interview

Question

Hey guys, I just received an update from Yale, saying I have been waitlisted. I haven't been invited to an interview yet, so I was really happy to open the message, until I read it

Conincidentally I have contacted the admissions office couple days ago to inquire that recommendations letters are in place and that my app is complete. The admissions woman was extemely nice and verified that all is complete, looks like that put me on top of the notifications pile. What to read from this? Class is almost full so they didn't want to waste time interviewing me? By why didn't I just get dinged? any advice on what to do while waitlisted would be great as well. bleh

aaudetat · Answer

Looks like they're going through their list. You are ahead of me, my friend. I got this:

 Thank you for your interest in the Yale School of Management. After careful consideration of your application, we regret that we are unable to offer you admission to the Class of 2009.

Due to the large number of high quality applications we receive each year, we are faced with the difficult task of selecting a small incoming class from a very competitive applicant pool. Unfortunately, this means that we are unable to offer admission to many otherwise qualified individuals.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. 

Bleh. But all the more love for the other three schools. I was in the same boat as you - I'd really been counting on an interview. Sigh. Good luck with your waitlist.

johnnyx9 · Answer

You guys are both Round 1?

Nsentra · Answer

Just like Cornell is in your backyard, Yale is in mine and it was definitely my top choice. Oh well, going over to someone's else backyard could be fun too. Unfortunately I haven't heard from Cornell yet either. I am not losing hope, but it's hopeless

The Admissions Committee has reviewed your application and is impressed with your personal, academic, and professional credentials. Although we are, unfortunately, unable to offer you admission to the Yale School of Management at this time, we would like to offer you a place on our wait list.

Nsentra · Answer

I am Round 2

Mark4124 · Answer

Hey man... when I visited last year there was a WL'er interviewing. I think they might interview you later if they want more time to think about you. Odd order of events, but I believe they do do that.

Nsentra · Answer

Thanks Mark. Yes, pretty odd since there is still plenty of time before R2 decision deadline.

Mark4124 · Answer

It is odd... wonder if others of us will get stuff like that too

Mark4124 · Answer

aaudetat... You are R2 and already dinged?

gmatmba · Answer

You still have hope that you got waitlisted. It looks like Yale released a lot of decisions (ding and waitlist) today. I am sad to report that I'll joining aaudetat on the ding list. The Yale app surely does not give us much chance to expose ourselves to the adcoms. Good luck Nsentra

Mark4124 · Answer

Interesting... the deadline isn't for forever!

aaudetat · Answer

yep, i applied in round 2 as well. I don't mind that Yale dinged me, but none of the others are allowed to do so. Here that, other schools? That's right. No dings!

johnnyx9 · Answer

The fact that Yale only had 2 essays was pretty ridiculous. That means you really had to be choosy about what you did in number 2. I think I may have tried to include too much in essay 2, in other words I covered several topics without a lot of detail, instead of just picking one and going into it very in-depth. I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but I thought that it was the way to go. 

Why don't they have more essays? Are they just trying to make it easy for people to apply there so they look more selective?

curioustodd · Answer

Dinged without interview for me as well. This really sucks. Its like being rejected by the hot girl in HS all over again. 

I think what really did me in was my GMAT score, in particular my Quant. 660 overall but like 69% on quant. Everything else, GPA, essay, reco, Work experience, was more than adequate but it didn't make up for GMAT. The relatively fast response makes me belive that Yale is really trying to drive up the numbers this year.

johnnyx9 · Answer

You mean you think they're screening for higher GMATs this year?

Nsentra · Answer

well, theoretically with only 150 or so seats this year, yea they have to be more selective in all areas I'd think.

johnnyx9 · Answer

Yeah I see what you mean.

Why does the year we all apply have to be the year that there is a huge surge in applications? I wonder if this will be the same next year.

Mark4124 · Answer

I haven't been dinged or waitlisted yet... but I'm sure I will be in the next few weeks.

Ozmba · Answer

Yale is a GMAT whore .so i didnt even bother to apply ..did a class visit as well...not really impressed..looks like the School lacks a focus and the facilities r not that great...

2 Essays -- That is fkng crazy...and even the appln doesnt have much scope..so on what criteria they will choose students say a Mark vs Ozie...
they will just go by GMAT Scores.../GPA ..

johnnyx9 · Answer

Yeah I wasn't that impressed with the facilities.

When you say they're a GMAT whore (I've heard this said about NYU too), where do you get that from? I agree that only two essays means they have less data points so GMAT would be that much more important, but are you basing that on anything else?

Wait-listed at Yale without interview

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards