MBA Waitlist - Follow Instructions

Ending up on the waitlist of a top business school program is a frustrating ordeal.  It can lead to a period of ambiguity as you wait to see where you will ultimately enroll in the fall. The key to surviving the waitlist process is to create a plan of action.  Putting together a checklist can help you gain valuable perspective into your situation and will allow you to make the most of your chances of gaining admission off of the waitlist.

The following is a recommended course of action:

1. Understand the waitlist. For information on understanding how the waitlist works, click here.

2. Follow instructions. Often, in their attempt to act quickly, waitlisted candidates will rush to respond to a waitlist letter without following the school’s instructions. Typically, the admissions office will ask for a response showing continued interest and will provide several ways to submit materials. However, you should never assume that each school’s process is exactly the same. Take a deep breath, re-read the letter and go to the website to see what you can find out about the waitlist. You will be able to return to the task at hand with some clarity and ensure that you follow all instructions.

3. Reach out. As long as you are following the admission office’s instructions, you are always better off being more proactive. Do not simply check a box and send it in — get in front of people. Be top of mind. This is the stage where programs want to know your level of interest, first and foremost. So aggressively tell them. If you have a contact in the admissions office, email that person right away to let them know you have responded formally and that you will be sending in additional materials. Ask if you can check back in for a status report.

4. Review. Once you have followed instructions and put yourself on the school’s radar, the next step is to retreat back into your own application. You are going to want to take advantage of optional submission opportunities to both express your interest and also bolster your candidacy. In order to make effective use of this opportunity and keep it from being an “information dump,” you should review your application carefully to see what needs to be augmented.

5. Augment. Once you have taken inventory of your application and any weaknesses that remain, the next step is to augment that information through any available submission options. The most common is a waitlist response letter or an update letter, which allows you to express your interest and fit, as well as provide any updates that help address weaknesses. You want to avoid simply restating your application materials or delving back into your personal statement.