Waitlist concerns

You guys invested enormous amount of effort, time and other resources in your application packages. Now that you've been wait-listed, let's not act all pessimistic but give your application a last push!

Wait-list Situation: All bschools want a full incoming class. Their financial status is critical upon full classrooms. Also, shaping the "right" student body in the incoming class affects the school's reputation, ranking and other critical factors. So, when adcoms send out admits, they make a realistic estimate of their yield. In case the yield falls under their forecast, adcoms need some students on back-up who can fill out the incoming class. These are the students on the waitlist.

Most schools send out a letter asking you if you will accept a slot on the waitlist. If you refuse, that’s the end of the story. If you accept, you then wait. How long you wait depends on the school’s enrollment picture. Worst case scenario, students have been known to receive acceptances from the waitlist a week before classes start. May and June are more typical notification times. (some as late as august for some bschools - but this all depends on your application round)

It’s important that you have a sense of the math, for in most cases the numbers aren’t encouraging. Although you should look for a way to make your application more appealing in the eyes of the adcoms (while you wait), you shouldn't pin your hopes on receiving admit letter. You should also consider backup plans.

Game Plan While You Wait:

If you are still interested in that school and would attend if removed from the waitlist, you should contact the college asap. This contact should be in writing and it should be brief (one page). What you want to convey is that you remain interested, that [blank] University is your first choice, and that you will matriculate if admitted. Let them know you’re a sure thing (but only if you are). Then write about anything that may be relevant - awards won, leadership positions earned, or other significant accomplishments that, had you earned them prior to submitting your application, you would’ve incoroporated in the original application.

What not to do if you’re waitlisted? Here’s where students go wrong. Do not send daily letters to the admissions office until you’re taking off the waitlist explaining all the trials of life as a waitlisted student and reasons you should be admitted. Do not send gifts. Do not make multiple phone calls. Do not have every alum you know contact the college. Do not visit the college and sit in their reception area until someone agrees to admit you. In general, do not be creepy or annoying.You may call the office and express your sincere interest in attending the college and ask directly what would be beneficial. The admissions office may have their own ideas of what they need from you but typically, they’ll ask you to write a letter. Bottom line - be respectful of the process and the difficult decisions the admissions officers had to make.