Waitlisted everywhere

Question

Hi Alex,

I applied to four schools - Duke, Texas, Michigan, and Chicago. I am on the waitlist for all except Duke, which releases info next week.

This seems very odd to me. I am waitlisted at both Texas and Chicago, schools that are on opposite ends of the selectivity spectrum. It would make more sense for me to be rejected at Chicago, waitlisted at Duke/Michigan, and accepted to Texas.

Am I just getting unlucky? Or is it possible that there is one glaring hole in my application that all of the schools are seeing?

Thanks.

PS - I interviewed everywhere except Michigan.

jb88 · Answer

You sound like me, except dings all over and 1 WL. If I had to guess you are a male of caucasian or indian descent, no?

AlexMBAApply · Answer

It's hard to read too much into it - the fact that you got waitlisted means you were in range for the schools you applied to (i.e. if something was seriously wrong or there was a glaring hole, you would've gotten dinged - the fact that you got waitlisted means you were VERY VERY close). More likely bad luck than anything - which I know probably doesn't help you because most people want to know that it was *something* they did wrong or something they could correct - but my hunch is it's probably just bad luck that you can't really do anything about.

mreevit · Answer

No, I am an elf from the north pole.

mreevit · Answer

Thanks. Keeping my fingers crossed for Duke!

mreevit · Answer

One last question...since I am so close, do you think a higher GMAT score might push me over?

I realize that 700+ scores are more/less all the same, but since I am on the edge...would breaking 750 help?

mbagirl7568 · Answer

Made my effin day.

socalmike · Answer

Damn, Santa must have mad elves if all the schools you applied to hit their elf quota. Maybe if you varied your accomplishments (standard toy making is like Indian and IT or the 24 year old IB analyst .... to something more like led Santa Cookie testing to ensure over 1B toys were safely delivered on Christmas Day resulting in 10B smiles from children ages 0-18 years old.... you may have gotten in). It's just my hunch :wink:

mreevit · Answer

Damn indeed. Well, there's always next year. Maybe I'll be promoted to the head of reindeer mechanics.

Diversity? Yes, please.

AlexMBAApply · Answer

Being an elf will help, but a 750+ GMAT is probably not going to do a whole lot if your GMAT is already 700+.

socalmike · Answer

Start a support group for disadvantaged red nosed reindeers. It shows initiative and a strong social conscious.

Next time mention that you are an albino, sucrose (sugar) intolerant elf to further differentiate yourself. You can talk about overcoming peer pressure and the "tough" life being the only elf not able to consume candy canes. As for a passion, talk about your leadership in running the reindeer games and how you've improved reindeer safety similar to NFL commissioner Roger Godell's improvement in player safety regarding head injuries (ie. concussions).

mreevit · Answer

And there it is. Waitlist number 4!

jb88 · Answer

congrats

Paul25 · Answer

I know this is an old thread, but I am in a similar situation. I have been waitlisted (after interview) by all the top Energy schools in Texas. I am an international student and cannot visit the campus easily. What should I do ? I am very much interested in doing my MBA in the state of Texas and have a lot of passion for the Energy sector. I actually enjoyed my interviews too; was invited in the first wave of invites by all the schools. Is this just plain old bad luck :oops:

?

ARINGO · Answer

If it helps, you can read some waitlist tips here: https://gmatclub.com/blog/2014/12/how-to ... cceptance/ Good luck!

Waitlisted everywhere

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