You've Been Waitlisted... Now What?
By Stacy Blackman
Admissions Strategy Consultant
While the waitlist is probably not the answer you were hoping for, if you are
waitlisted, do not give up hope! Plenty of people are admitted to all schools from
the waitlist. If you are waitlisted, the first thing to do is to follow instructions.
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Since 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting has helped hundreds of clients gain
admission to every top business school in the world. The company's approach,
based on developing and implementing a winning marketing strategy, makes the
application process less stressful and more successful. |
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If they ask for some kind of response to reiterate your interest, be sure that you do that right away.
After the initial response, your target school may or may not accept additional
materials or welcome updates. If they do not accept new information, your job is
essentially done. If they do encourage updates, you have quite a bit of work to do.
Plan to check in with the admissions committee at least one a month.
Update Letter
Begin with a letter that reiterates interest and provides an update of activities since
you submitted your application. You can discuss any of the following topics, just be
sure that the information is new; make sure it is truly an update:
- Promotions, changes in scope of work, additional responsibility
- Travel plans
- Classes taken
- New GMAT score
- Changes in volunteer activities: new responsibilities, new position
- Personal activities such as learning a language, running a marathon, taking on a new hobby
As you discuss these points, highlight why this is important to your candidacy. How
do these updates make you a better candidate than before?
Reference
You may consider submitting an extra letter of recommendation. If you do this,
make sure that it adds new information as well. Perhaps this letter can be from
someone you do volunteer work with. This person can add a new perspective,
different from your professional recommendations.
GMAT
In some cases an improved GMAT score can make a big difference. You may want to
ask the school directly if this would help. If so, get to work improving your score.
Dialog with the AdComm
In most cases, maintaining a meaningful, (yet restrained) dialog with a contact on
the admissions committee can be helpful. Do not pester them by asking constant
questions. Rather, check in regularly to demonstrate interest and keep them
apprised of your situation.
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