After months of hard work and angst, it’s disheartening to be placed on a waitlist. The silver lining is, that you are still in the reckoning and have some power to sway the decision in your favor.
It can be an excruciatingly long wait before you can get admission off the waitlist. But if all your application outcomes are waitlists only, or you are waitlisted at your top-choice MBA program, then it’s worth exploring strategies to tip that scale in your direction.
What can you do to be accepted off the waitlist? Showing your interest in the program and updating on new developments in your profile are the two most important things. But, as different b-schools have varying expectations about receiving updates, let’s first examine some common rules and then delve into school-specific expectations.
1. Accept the waitlist status. B-schools require applicants to confirm their continued interest in remaining on the waitlist. Failure to respond to them within the given timelines will reflect badly on you and give the message that you are not interested in the program.
2. Acquaint yourself with the b-school’s waitlist process and adhere to it, whether it involves updating through an application portal, waitlist update forms, or through email. Some b-schools may not ask for updates at all while some encourage frequent updates. You should follow the guidelines given by the b-school regarding when to update them, how to update them and how much to update them. Respecting their process is crucial otherwise you will just create the wrong impression about yourself.
3. Get into self-reflection. Identifying where you went wrong is the first step to analyzing what you can improve. Unfortunately, b-schools do not give feedback to waitlisted applicants (I am aware of only Tuck and Yale that do), so you have to figure this out yourself (Self-awareness is an important attribute sought by b-schools). Examine your application minutely and seek feedback from family and friends to spot any loose ends. Pay attention to these specific elements:
a. Evaluate your academic credentials (GPA and test scores) —are they competitive based on the program’s class profile? These scores signal your ability to manage the MBA program’s rigour, and, albeit a painful ask, an improvement here can show your seriousness about being accepted into the MBA program. If your GMAT or GRE score is low and you have only tested once, consider retaking the test. If you have attempted one type of test multiple times, consider switching to an alternate. For example, if GMAT hasn’t yielded good results, consider taking GRE or the newer versions of GMAT (Focus edition).
A lower GPA or a lack of quant subjects during undergrad could be another area for improvement. Completing the MBA Math, a 7-10 day investment, can be beneficial. You can also take business or math certifications to bolster your academic record.
b. Also probe, were your essays impactful enough? Were you able to convey your leadership skills and impact through your essays, resume and the interview? Were your career goals and why MBA clearly articulated? Did you adequately use the application form to present your extra-curricular activities? If not addressing these through an additional essay will help at B-schools which allow these submissions.
4. Reflect on what has changed in your profile since you applied and what new updates you can give. Some examples are:
- Changing your job and how the new one aligns with your career goals
- New and higher responsibilities at work.
- Any impactful achievements at work.
- Any impactful achievements in your extra-curricular pursuits?
All of these are materials for fresh updates. Make sure that you don’t just inform about these events but also explain how these have led to learning and growth and how these will enable you to contribute meaningfully to your MBA classroom.
Some b-schools accept fresh recommendations, so asking a recommender to validate your new achievements or give a perspective about you that wasn’t covered in prior recommendations is another way to share meaningful info about you.
5. Engage with the b-school community. There’s always a benefit in learning more about the b-school by talking to alumni and students. These conversations can help you understand your fit with the b-school, which you can incorporate in your waitlist updates. There’s also a possibility that these alumni and students become your champions and offer to write a letter of support for you.
Moreover, attend b-school–organized virtual chats or waitlist webinars. Adcom members mostly host these and may also have some current students speaking about their experiences of handling the waitlist. These sessions can be super helpful in learning about the waitlist requirements directly from the adcom and asking them your specific questions. Some b-schools assign you a waitlist manager. Stay connected with yours if you have one and discuss with them how you can improve your chances of admission.
There’s a myth that you must visit the campus to increase your chances of admission. B-schools understand this may not be possible for all applicants, especially for internationals, and do not give preference for visiting the campus. Therefore, do not feel compelled to make a visit if you are placed on the waitlist. Instead, connect with them in other ways, as outlined above.
6. Lastly, be mindful of the frequency and relevance of your updates. Overdoing it can signal lack of maturity and good judgment in determining what information is relevant for your admission.
Now that we have covered what you can do to gain acceptance from waitlist, let’s also go through the specific requirements of b-schools and their waitlist processes.
| B-schools | Do They Give Feedback? | What is Their Waitlist Process? | What Updates Can You Send Them? |
| Wharton | No | Candidates can expect to remain on the waitlist until the previous round of decisions are released. | You can send important updates that add significant value, growth, or development to your application since submission. |
| HBS | No | Decision schedules for waitlist candidates do not follow the schedules published for the two application rounds. While the Board makes every effort to minimize waiting time, your waitlist status may change at any time through July of 2024. | You are given an opportunity to submit updated information in late April 2024. More information about how to do so will be emailed to you by HBS’ waitlist manager. |
| MIT | No | If you are waitlisted in a round and accept a place on the waitlist, you will automatically be considered for the next round and will receive an updated decision in that round. | |
| Booth | No | Waitlisted candidates can expect to remain on the waitlist at least until the next round of decisions is released. | You can provide additional materials and update your resume if things change for you professionally. Booth recommends staying connected with the community in whatever ways you can- by attending virtual or in-person events, connecting with current students, or connecting with alumni in your network. |
| Kellogg | No | Kellogg renders decisions on a rolling basis between January and August. Waitlist decisions exist outside the round format and applicants can be admitted or denied at any time throughout this period. | You can submit updates through the Waitlist Update Form. You can inform Kellogg about where they sit in your consideration set, important dates in your MBA planning timeline, professional or personal developments since you submitted your application, and/or new insights that have impacted your continued interest in Kellogg. You may also upload additional application documents through the Application Status Page, such as an updated GMAT score or resume. Kellogg discourages the submission of additional letters of recommendation or references from third parties. |
| Tuck | YES | Tuck revisits waitlisted candidates with each subsequent round and notifies you of your status thereafter. They may ask you to remain on the waitlist following the next round, in which case you will have to recommit to your spot on the waitlist. Be sure to respond to this request if you wish to remain under consideration. | Share new information that substantially adds to your candidacy, such as updated test scores, significant new work accomplishment, etc. You can add this through the waitlist update portal on your application status page. If Tuck has questions or require additional information, they will contact you, so be sure to update them if there are any changes to your contact information. |
| Yale | Yes | The committee reviews the waitlist on an ongoing basis. If you are facing an imminent deadline that will preclude you from being further considered from the waitlist, let Yale know. However, even in such a case, the Committee may not be in a position to issue an updated decision. You can expect to hear back on your waitlist decision upto the beginning of August. | Yale reviews additional GMAT/GRE scores; resumes with new jobs, promotions, responsibilities, or volunteer experiences; transcripts showing completed coursework; and other material updates to your application. You can send also send in letters of support |
| Ross | No | The Admissions Team will periodically email waitlisted candidates with updates on the process and an updated timeline. You will be assigned a waitlist manager to assist you throughout the process. Your waitlist manager will be your main point of contact and will play a significant role in the final decision for your candidacy. The majority of decisions on waitlisted applicants will occur in May and June but candidates may be admitted or denied as early as January. Please be aware that if you are a waitlisted candidate who is offered admission, you will likely need to make your enrollment decision very quickly, usually within 48 hours. | Share updates on any significant changes since your application was submitted (e.g., job change, promotion, award, test score). Ross shares a few questions to reflect upon for sharing updates: • Could you improve your test score? • Did you engage with the community before applying? • Was your ‘why MBA,’ ‘why now,’ and ‘why Ross’ well articulated? • Did you demonstrate readiness for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum? • How were your essays? Did they share impactful stories, or could you improve them? • Are there more community service experiences you would like to add? |
| Fuqua | No | Applicants can use Fuqua’s waitlist update form to communicate with the admissions committee. As soon as a waitlist applicant submits this, the information will be accessible to the entire admissions committee. Duke conducts virtual sessions on how they evaluate waitlisted candidates, what candidates should consider when reflecting on their application, and to ask admissions committee members questions in real-time. It is possible to remain on the waitlist and be admitted at the start of Orientation in July. | Fuqua has shared a list of some of the most common updates they want to know about: • A new test score • A promotion or new responsibility at work • A new reason why Fuqua is the right fit • Information on recent professional or community accomplishments • An additional recommendation • Transcripts for recently completed coursework • A copy of a new test score (unofficial/student score report) |
| Cornell | No | Waitlisted candidates are reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the admissions cycle. While it is possible to receive a final admissions decision during the admissions cycle, it is also possible to remain on the waitlist through, and following, our final deposit deadline in June and until our entering class is finalized. | Candidates can attend Waitlist Webinars hosted throughout the admissions cycle, which will provide feedback and tips. Some of the new developments Cornell wants to hear about are: • A new GMAT/GRE score, especially if you have only taken the exam once. If you have taken a standardized test multiple times and have received consistent scores that you believe do not reflect your capabilities, consider taking an alternate test (GMAT or GRE). • If your undergraduate GPA was low, consider taking courses such as MBA Math online, or an accounting or finance course • You can submit upto two additional letters of recommendation if you believe the recommender can add new information to your application. • If your work experience has changed , please send a copy of your updated resume and call attention to the areas that have changed. |
| UCLA | No | Round 1 applicants will receive an update on their application status on or before the Round 2 decision release (March 22, 2023). Some candidates may be offered the option of remaining on the waitlist for consideration in Round 3. Remaining waitlisted candidates from Round 1 and Round 2 will receive an update on their application status by the Round 3 decision release (May 17, 2023). | Waitlisted candidates may send any updates via the MBA Waitlist Interest Form (link to this is on your Waitlist decision letter) You can submit additional information that is relevant to your application, such as employment promotions, updated test scores, and recent extracurricular accomplishments. |
| Haas | No | Haas reviews the waitlist periodically throughout the admissions cycle and provides updates regarding admission status on an ongoing basis between late February and early August. As they review the waitlist on a rolling basis, you should submit any updated information that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when evaluating your candidacy in a timely manner. | Candidates can submit the following updates: • Interview. Those candidates who have not yet had an interview will be able to submit a video interview via your online application portal. • Test scores. If your GMAT or TOEFL scores fall below our averages, you may retake the test and forward your score to the admissions office. • Quantitative ability. If your undergrad and grad qualifications and/or your GMAT/ GRE do not sufficiently demonstrate your quantitative ability, you may wish to enroll in a statistics or calculus course at a local college, retake the GMAT or GRE, or do both. • Letters of recommendation. You may provide up to two additional letters of recommendation, if the letter(s) will add information that was not provided in the original letters submitted. • Personal statement. You may submit a new statement on any significant changes in your professional or personal life that will add value to your candidacy. Relevant updates may include a promotion, change in employment, updated test score, enrollment or completion of a quantitative course, etc. You may also submit a personal statement if you wish to clarify your career goals or, particularly for those intending to switch careers, provide further detail on steps you have taken to prepare for your career transition. |
| Emory | No | Candidates who are waitlisted in one round will be moved to the next round and the application will be reassessed. You may check your status online on the next decision notification date. If your waitlist status did not change, it means that you have remained on the waitlist and your file will be reassessed in the next round. | |
| UNC | No | You are not required to submit any additional information to the Admissions Committee to accept your spot on the waitlist. Most updated decisions are released in late spring and throughout the summer until the start of orientation. | Candidates can complete the Waitlist Additional Information Form to provide additional information that you believe would be beneficial for us to consider (e.g., recent job promotions, course grades, new test scores, etc.). If you retake the GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS. |