2010 Accepted.com MBA Waitlist Q&A with Linda Abraham & Inge Miller
2010 Accepted.com MBA Waitlist Q&A with Linda Abraham & Inge Miller
Please feel free to let us know if you would like to be informed of future chats by sending e-mail to chat@accepted.com. We would also be interested in knowing if you would prefer a different format or different topics.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 11:57:39 AM)
Hello. My name is Linda Abraham, and I am the founder of Accepted.com.
I will moderate today’s chat and also respond to questions. First,
however, I want to extend some welcomes. I want to welcome all
applicants to the chat today.
I want to also extend a warm, special welcome to Inge Miller, Former Associate Director of Admissions at Ross where she spent four years coordinating the recruitment and admissions process for applicants to the Ross MBA and BBA programs. She also worked closely with prospective, admitted, and enrolled students as well as provided countless interviews and student counseling sessions.
Thanks to everyone for joining.
Before taking your questions, I want to introduce the ABC’s of MBA waitlists. These are the goals of your waitlist contact and communication with your waitlisting school(s).
- Address and ameliorate weaknesses (without magnifying them).
- Boost strengths by revealing recent promotions, projects, and awards, and achievements.
- Confirm fit by revealing how recent visits to the schools and events have confirmed Waitlisting School is the place for you.
These ABC’s should be your strategic goals while you on the waitlist.
Now for a few tips:
- Follow the school’s instructions.
-
Keep your letters to 1-2 pages. Do not be verbose. For tips on
content, please see this article on our blog
. Letters should be 1-2 pages. For tips on the letters’ content, please
see these suggestions for waitlist letters.
- If you can get feedback, ask if there is anything you can do to improve your candidacy. (There usually isn’t, but if there is you want to know about it.) If there is something, do it.
- Seek 1-2 letters of support from supervisors on and off the job. Current students and recent alumni who know you can also write letters of support and emphasize your fit with the program. Letters from big names who don’t know you are not effective and letters that simply reiterate information found in other letters are also not effective.
- Always remember that quality trumps quantity. Do not waste their time (and annoy the readers) by sending in meaningless, wordy drivel or long-winded repetitions of your essays.
Inge, in our recent waitlist chat with Michigan Ross and in many previous chats, a lot of the questions and discussion focused on how much content is too much and what events constitute “significant” news. In other words, people were asking about matters where judgment plays a roll. I’m going to ask several questions that deal with this fuzzy area and hope that you can give some guidelines. Applicants, realize that because you are all different, these are only guidelines, not rules cast in concrete.
GoBlue (Jan 28, 2010 12:03:19 PM)
I moved to a different team in June 2009 which is aligned with what I
want to do post MBA. At the time of application in October, I had not
spent enough time in the team to seek a recommendation from the manager
who I think can judge my potential after MBA as well, considering the
nature of the work and composition of the team. Also the projects I was
involved in were in progress, so my application doesn't contain my
current work information in detail. How should I inform the Adcom?
- Ask my manager to send a letter to me and then I send the letter to adcom.
- I send a letter detailing what I have done in the last 7
months.
- My manager sends the letter directly to the adcom.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:03:59 PM)
- Ask your manager to send in a letter to the school. It doesn't need to go through you.
- You can submit a letter outlining achievement on the job in the last 7 months.
- Yes.
Bharath (Jan 28, 2010 12:04:42 PM)
I have a waitlist from Indian School of Business, and I would like to know
whether we can send any significant updates to our profile?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:05:21 PM)
Bharath, I am not familiar with ISB's policies. However, if they do not
specifically discourage contact, I would take initiative and send in
updates as outlined above.
hbs_wl (Jan 28, 2010 12:05:26 PM)
I've been waitlisted at HBS, which is one of the schools that
specifically asks candidates to not send in more information. I'm
visiting the school next month. How can I approach this situation? Can
I send in an email to the MBA email id expressing my renewed interest
after my class visit (despite their instructions to not send in any
material)? Also, I'm thinking of taking a sabbatical from consulting to
explore my career vision area - should I mention this?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:06:27 PM)
HBS_WL, personally, I would follow the HBS guidelines. I believe they
decide based on the information they were provided by you originally.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:06:35 PM)
I would send a thank you note to admissions thanking them for showing
you around, expressing how the visit confirmed your fit with HBS.
However, I really don't think that will make a lot of difference
because HBS is confident of its yield.
And I agree with Inge, that you need to follow the directions.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:07:20 PM)
Inge, what would schools want to know about in the professional arena?
ABC (Jan 28, 2010 12:07:27 PM)
If you are waitlisted and you provide the right material
and get selected, then is there any chance that you might get any
scholarship? :-)
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:07:42 PM)
ABC, your chances of scholarship go down when waitlisted,
although that is not true at all schools. At most schools, there is less scholarship money available as the season winds down.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:08:12 PM)
Linda - In the professional arena, you want to stick with information
that is new since you submitted your application - promotions and the
successful completion of projects come to mind first.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:08:32 PM)
Inge, what would schools want to know about in an applicant’s non-professional life?
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 12:08:42 PM)
To improve my candidacy, I have already requested an additional
recommendation from my volunteer director. Do you think adding one more
from a peer would help?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:09:08 PM)
If the peer can comment on your teamwork skills or (better) on your fit with your target program, then it might add value. As usual, it depends what the writer has to say.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:09:18 PM)
ABC - It's not as likely that you would get a scholarship. However,
once you are admitted, the school will try to help in any way to
convince you to attend, so it never hurts to ask, in my opinion.
ron (Jan 28, 2010 12:09:48 PM)
Hi Inge, what can people waitlisted at Ross do?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:10:40 PM)
Linda - Outside of your professional life, community service activities
or hobbies that you are heavily involved in would provide good material
for updates. Maybe traveling or things of that nature, but it would
need to be meaningful.
qs (Jan 28, 2010 12:11:22 PM)
Linda: So if we had no significant changes, do we want to send something to indicate our continued strong interest?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:12:08 PM)
QS, I would send something indicating your interest and updating them
on whatever you can, but I would only send subsequent updates when you
have something to say.
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:12:26 PM)
I'm waitlisted by Wharton. What percentage of the waitlisters is admitted every year?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:12:38 PM)
Ron - your question is fairly general, but based on my experience, Ross
welcomes periodic updates. A rule of thumb is to send an email update
(with new information addressing any areas of weakness) every 3-4
weeks. This keeps your name in the forefront of the adcom's mind so
they know you're interested and willing to come if and when they admit
you.
balboa (Jan 28, 2010 12:12:43 PM)
Inge: What happens if you re-take the GMAT and the score does not
improve? Will the schools still have access to them and get an alert?
Will it affect the candidacy adversely?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:13:01 PM)
Ozge, I don't know the number, but I do know it varies from year to
year and you really can't take stats from one year or even several
years and assume they are predictive.
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 12:13:08 PM)
Whatever updates we send them, should those be in an essay form or bullet points?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:13:38 PM)
Almost_bigred: They should be in the form of a business letter. If bullets are appropriate, use them.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:14:09 PM)
Ozge - It's not possible to know what percentage of the waitlist is
admitted every year because each year is different. It's based on how
many admitted students actually pay their deposit and therefore how
many spaces are left in the class. The size of the waitlist can
fluctuate from year to year.
aki23 (Jan 28, 2010 12:14:13 PM)
Inge: I am waitlisted at Tepper School of Business. I have recently
faced a failure situation and am also currently trying to deal with a
difficult situation as a team leader. Do you advise I should update the
adcom with this information?
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:14:35 PM)
I am on the waitlist at Ross. Ross does not provide feedback on waitlisted
candidate's applications. As an applicant, I find it difficult to
actually identify my area of improvement. How would I go about it?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:15:34 PM)
Cat on the Wall, in their recent chat, Ross said that they don't provide
feedback. But they encourage you to
evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. FYI: Accepted can help you with
that.
kbl (Jan 28, 2010 12:15:44 PM)
Mine is a general question - Is anyone accepted off of the waitlist before the summertime?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:15:50 PM)
Kbl: Yes.
IndM (Jan 28, 2010 12:15:52 PM)
@CatOnTheWall: Pay Accepted.com!
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:16:01 PM)
IndM: Thanks :-D
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:16:28 PM)
Balboa - If you tell the school that you are retaking the test, I would
send them the scores regardless so that they can make an informed
decision. They either have to get comfortable with your best score or
decide they can't live with it. If you haven't told them, then they
likely would not add that information to your file unless you had the
scores sent to the school by the testing service.
Elena (Jan 28, 2010 12:17:06 PM)
If waitlisted, is it ok to re-take the GMAT, considering that the
deadline for taking the test was before the application was due? Will
this updated score be considered?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:17:58 PM)
Elena: At almost all schools, an updated score will be considered.
Wharton at one point claimed they would not consider it, but I think
that has changed. Yes, retake the GMAT if your GMAT is low.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:18:03 PM)
Aki23 - I think it's fine as long as you provide the proper analysis of
the situation. What did you learn from the failure? How would Tepper's
program have prepared you better for handling that situation? Keep it
concise, not too long.
balboa (Jan 28, 2010 12:18:08 PM)
Inge: How do schools evaluate the waitlist? Do they rank the candidates? If
I live near the school at which I have been waitlisted , how can I
take advantage of that fact?
IndM (Jan 28, 2010 12:18:17 PM)
I am waitlisted at Ross. I wrote to the Adcom twice, but they still have
not given me the name of admissions director in charge of my
application file
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:19:14 PM)
IndM: You will need to contact Ross for that info, but check out the
recent chat's transcript for some suggestions.
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:19:49 PM)
Hi, Wharton is one of the schools which don't want any additional information from waitlisters. Unfortunately, as an international candidate, it's almost impossible for me to join any activities about
school unless they are held in Turkey. I visited Wharton twice, and
joined an information session in Turkey. So what do you advise to a
waitlister in my position?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:20:07 PM)
Basically, you have to sit tight. Do you know any current students at Wharton or recent alumni?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:20:10 PM)
Balboa - Every school has their own procedures. Tuck used to and may
still loosely rank their waitlist, but others may start with the
highest GMAT scores and work their way down. In terms of taking
advantage of being local, you can step up contact with current students
and possibly alumni if you didn't have much contact before. But you don't want
to show up on admission's doorstep!
aki23 (Jan 28, 2010 12:20:16 PM)
Inge: I am a waitlisted candidate at Tepper School of Business. The
adcom is conducting an event in India and has invited waitlisted
members, admitted students and alumni. How can I best use this
opportunity?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:20:46 PM)
Ozge - I agree with Linda.
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 12:21:31 PM)
Inge: Can an applicant's TOEFL score be one of the reasons for waitlist?
Dinesh (Jan 28, 2010 12:21:38 PM)
Linda: I'm a R1 waitlist candidate at Kellogg. I sent in an update
letter a few days after I was notified, mentioning a recent promotion
and additional responsibilities at work. I also visited the campus and
had a chance to speak to my waitlist manager in person while there. At
the end of my visit, I asked her if it would be worthwhile to submit an
additional letter covering my visit experience, and she told me that it
would not make a difference. This seems contradictory to what I've read
and heard about confirming fit and showing interest by visiting campus
and sending an update. Any recommendations?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:22:11 PM)
Aki23 - Wow - that's a great chance to make a good impression. Ask
insightful questions to learn more about the Tepper experience and
demonstrate your interest and "fit" with the program. Be enthusiastic,
but don't be annoying or overzealous.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:22:16 PM)
Dinesh, you wouldn't ask a host if sending a thank you letter will help
your relationship, would you? Just send them a nice thank you letter.
That's courtesy.
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:22:39 PM)
Inge: I received an innovation award and as part of the award, I
collected feedback (as a video recording) from my colleagues on the
innovation. Apart from sending the award citation, can I also send this
video?
qs (Jan 28, 2010 12:22:46 PM)
Linda: How do we know what our area of weakness is in the application? Would schools let you know of them when they waitlist you?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:23:10 PM)
A few schools will let you know about a weakness, but most expect you to self-evaluate.
gabriele.c (Jan 28, 2010 12:23:19 PM)
What suggestions do you have for waitlisted people that didn't get
accepted, got feedback and want to reapply to the school (IMD in my
case)?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:23:34 PM)
Almost_Bigred - Sure, TOEFL could be one reason, but I don't think it
would be the only reason. So, retake the test or enroll in English
classes to increase your skills, but also continue to look critically
at the rest of your application so you don't overlook other areas of
concern. Verbal (oral) skills are critical for the classroom.
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:24:01 PM)
Inge: How about Stanford waitlisted? I've been waitlisted by Stanford,
too. What is your advice about Stanford? Can a peer letter who is a
current student at Stanford work?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:24:18 PM)
Gabriele: Here are 3 suggestions: (I'm assuming that Gabriele is still waitlisted but concerned he will be rejected, and here are the suggestions:)
- Make sure your school knows that you will attend if accepted (without
telling them about the rejections) because of the great match between
their program and your goals and educational needs.
- Work to prepare yourself for a possible reapplication effort. Any
steps to improve on weaknesses will help you both as a WL applicant and
in preparation for a reapplication effort.
- Take the time to visit schools that you may want to apply to next time.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:24:38 PM)
CatOnTheWall - You may want to check with the school before you send a
video. I haven't heard of that before, but some schools might welcome
it if it's short.
rossy (Jan 28, 2010 12:25:51 PM)
Inge: I am waitlisted at Ross. I plan to retake the GMAT this summer
for recruiting purposes. Should I tell Ross this? I would take it now,
but in last week's chat, Soojin mentioned they need scores by Feb. 15th
to impact Round 2 admission. I would like to devote more time to
studying to ensure I am successful. Any thoughts?
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:25:54 PM)
Thanks Linda. Who should I contact in Accepted to know more about Accepted waitlist services?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:25:56 PM)
Gabriele.C - Your next application must take care to fully address all
of the areas of weakness that they communicated to you. Linda also just
gave more info.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:26:16 PM)
Cat on the Wall, please register online. For details about Accepted's waitlist services:
rossy (Jan 28, 2010 12:26:44 PM)
Inge: When I applied, I did not include any recommendations from my current
employer because I am very new to the company. I have now told a couple of
senior people in my group about my application. Do you think it would
be useful to have them submit a letter of recommendation?
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:26:47 PM)
Thanks Inge!
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:27:23 PM)
Rossy - I wouldn't wait until the summer either way. Round 3 decisions
will be made sometime in May, I assume, so you'd want to get your
scores in before then to be considered in the first wave of waitlist
admits.
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 12:27:29 PM)
Inge: In case I crossed the recommended TOEFL score limit of the
school, but am still under the class average, can TOEFL then be an
area of concern?
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:27:35 PM)
Well, I know a faculty member and a first year student.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:28:15 PM)
Rossy - one new recommendation letter from a current supervisor could be helpful if it's strong.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:28:32 PM)
Ozge: Then you have to weigh up the possible benefit of a meaty letter
of support from either of these two people vs. the possibility of
irritating them.
ron (Jan 28, 2010 12:28:53 PM)
Hi Inge: How do I provide updates to Ross about professional work, community service, academics, and which area I
will focus on?
AdamLewis (Jan 28, 2010 12:29:17 PM)
Linda: Follow up to #1 (Gabriele's question): Does this strategy pose
a problem if you're waitlisted at multiple schools? (Shouldn't we be
cautious about telling multiple schools that we will attend if
accepted?)
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:29:29 PM)
Adam, excellent question.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:30:17 PM)
Almost_Bigred - Sure, it could still be an area of concern, especially
if the other international waitlist candidates have better scores than
you. They are really your competition when it comes to TOEFL scores.
Like I said, though, I don't think TOEFL alone is a reason to waitlist
someone. There must be more to the story.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:30:32 PM)
Adam, if waitlisted at multiple schools, don't say you will attend if
accepted to all, just the one you would certainly attend. However, in
each case provide the reasons you would want to attend and the reasons
you fit at that program.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:31:25 PM)
Ron - I am not sure I fully understand your question, but if you want to be
able to send periodic updates, then you may want to spread these
categories out over the next 2 - 3 months.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:31:33 PM)
Schools put much less stock in the statement "You are my #1 choice" than
in " I want to attend for reasons X, Y, and Z" provided that X,Y, and Z
are substantive, specific, and logical.
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:31:44 PM)
Inge: After being waitlisted, I have connected with Alumni (some
coincidentally part of the adcom) and with a lot of current students. How do I leverage this in my significant updates?
Jass786 (Jan 28, 2010 12:31:53 PM)
Linda, I am waitlisted at NYU. That's another school that does not give
feedback on the application. How much does NYU consider GMAT scores for
waitlist ranking?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:32:35 PM)
Jass, GMAT scores will be a factor, but they are a significant factor
when your GMAT is low. They are much less of a factor when your GMAT is
competitive or high.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:32:50 PM)
CatOnTheWall - These connections can mainly be used to demonstrate your ongoing research into the program as well as fit.
gabriele.c (Jan 28, 2010 12:32:50 PM)
I have been rejected and I am already working on my re-application
where I am addressing the weaknesses in the feedback received. Thanks
for your suggestions
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:32:55 PM)
You're welcome.
LAT (Jan 28, 2010 12:33:10 PM)
Inge: How do you suggest that applicants leverage the acceptances they
have received to get their 1st choice school to take them off the
waitlist?
CatOnTheWall (Jan 28, 2010 12:33:20 PM)
I have already taken my GMAT three times...would you advice taking the GMAT
again if I feel GMAT is one of the weak areas in my application that
ended me up on a WL. Will the adcom look at this positively or a negatively?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:00 PM)
Cat, I would only suggest taking the GMAT again if you feel you can raise it. If you
have taken it three times and have not been able to raise it, what do
you think will change this time? If nothing, I wouldn't take it again.
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:06 PM)
Thank you very much for your advice. :)
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:12 PM)
You're welcome
qs (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:16 PM)
When would be the best time to send our first update?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:36 PM)
QS, ASAP or as soon as you have something to say. Don't send in letters that say nothing or contain nothing no.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:34:59 PM)
LAT - As Linda mentioned above, you may only want to do that with one
school. When it's a few weeks out from the deposit deadline for the
school where you're admitted, then you can pose the question to the
adcom of your favored school. Until then, you still need to provide
them with reasons to admit you. Also, know that giving an ultimatum can
sometimes backfire if you press too hard.
phoenix (Jan 28, 2010 12:35:20 PM)
I asked my designated point of contact at the school whether I should
have additional letters of recommendations sent and she asked me to
hold them off. Listening to her seems like a the best step- please
advise. Also, I have sent a formal update letter including 4 important
developments since applying. There are some other important stories I
haven't yet shared with adcom that can be told, but these are about 2
years or more old. Should I share these or sending too many updates is
also not a good idea?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:35:54 PM)
Phoenix: I would follow the advice you received regarding the letters. I would not go back two years in this context.
AdamLewis (Jan 28, 2010 12:35:58 PM)
Okay, that makes sense. Thanks. ;-)
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:36:04 PM)
You're welcome.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:36:23 PM)
Phoenix - I completely agree with Linda. Info that occurred before you submitted your application is now off the table.
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 12:36:31 PM)
Thanks Inge. By the way, I don't think I need to worry a lot about my TOEFL as I
exceed the class's GMAT average by a HUGE margin, what's your take on it?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:37:20 PM)
Regarding the ultimatum point that Inge made above, I completely agree.
I advise waitlisted applicant to keep quiet about other acceptances.
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:37:32 PM)
Do you have an idea about the percentage of waitlisted candidates who get accepted at Johnson/Tepper?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:37:45 PM)
Almost_Bigred - You're right, then it's probably not a big issue. You
need to ask yourself what other weaknesses might you be missing.
Accepted can help with that if you're having difficulty determining.
balboa (Jan 28, 2010 12:37:49 PM)
Inge: If you are invited for an interview as a re-applicant, let's say
at a school like Ross, which is by invite only, what are the chances
that you will be placed on the waitlist solely on the basis of your
GMAT? In other words, does Ross place folks on waitlist just because
their GMAT is low, even though they have invited them for an interview
or does GMAT become secondary?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:38:14 PM)
Ankit, the schools don't release that information and I certainly don't have it. However, it doesn't matter. At the end of the day you are 100% in or 100% out. And those percentages vary from year to year.
Elena (Jan 28, 2010 12:38:41 PM)
When is the deadline for the GMAT retake if waitlisted for Round 2 at UCLA Anderson?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:38:53 PM)
Elena, I am sorry, but I don't have that date.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:39:52 PM)
If waitlisted with a low GMAT, I would take the GMAT ASAP and submit in the hope that the number would go up and be considered.
phoenix (Jan 28, 2010 12:39:56 PM)
Thanks Linda and Inge!
Elena (Jan 28, 2010 12:40:25 PM)
Are waitlisted people considered for admission after all 3 application rounds at UCLA are over?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:40:37 PM)
Balboa - It's difficult to know for sure without seeing your whole
application. But, there really are no set rules or guidelines for
placing applicants on the waitlist, so I can't say for sure why that
would happen.
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:40:40 PM)
Inge: I have a good GMAT score, good academics and I work for a top
company. However, I have only two years of full time experience. How
can I mitigate lack of leadership experience in a short time?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:41:46 PM)
Elena, I don't know UCLA's procedure specifically, but almost all
schools consider waitlisted applicants both during later rounds and
after the 3 rounds have been notified. In fact, they send out acceptance
even during the first few days of class to waitlisted applicants.
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:41:49 PM)
Thanks Linda!
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:41:55 PM)
Elena - Typically that is what schools say to waitlisted people.
However, there are times when you might be considered earlier, such as
if they do not like their final round pool of applicants.
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:41:59 PM)
Inge: If we feel we did not respond to an interview question
completely, and have something more to add, how do you suggest we
handle that?
qs (Jan 28, 2010 12:42:03 PM)
For updates, do you send hard copy letters or simply email one of the adcom?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:42:19 PM)
QS, follow the school's instructions. Most want an email at this point.
fn (Jan 28, 2010 12:42:36 PM)
If you are waitlisted because of a low GMAT and have already taken the GMAT a few times, what else can you do to improve your chances of
getting in?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:43:25 PM)
Ankit - Remember that leadership doesn't always mean being in a
designated leadership role. You can show leadership in different ways,
such as taking initiative, mentoring less experiences coworkers, and taking
on certain tasks within a team, etc. Focus on the bigger picture of
leadership.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:43:28 PM)
Fn: Take courses business related courses. If your quantitative score is low, take
statistics, calculus, and accounting and earn A's. If your verbal is low, take
communications for business, and join toastmasters, etc.
ron (Jan 28, 2010 12:43:30 PM)
Inge: What percentage of waitlisted candidates get accepted at Ross?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:44:40 PM)
Ankit - You could simply address that area in an update letter.
Elena (Jan 28, 2010 12:44:59 PM)
Inge: Is it bad to have a lot of alumni contact the school on your
behalf to say good things about you? Is the adcom going to get annoyed
by so many people bothering them about you? Can this have a negative
effect on your acceptance?
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:45:12 PM)
I'll try that. Thanks Inge.
LAT (Jan 28, 2010 12:45:48 PM)
Any specific advice for a candidate waitlisted at U Chicago Booth?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:45:52 PM)
Ron - Again, it's not possible for us to know that about any of the
schools. There are no hard and fast numbers on waitlists each year, so
the percentages vary based on yield (how many admits actually pay their
deposit).
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:46:10 PM)
LAT: Please see the ABC's I started with at the beginning.
ankit (Jan 28, 2010 12:46:20 PM)
Inge: The school I'm waitlisted at accepts an additional
recommendation. Since I have very little work-experience, and since I've already
submitted two professional letters, do you think it makes sense to
submit an academic letter of recommendation now?
rossy (Jan 28, 2010 12:47:22 PM)
Inge: My husband and I are trying to go to school together. He has
already been accepted to our top choice, but I was waitlisted. Would
his acceptance be worth mentioning in my letter?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:47:26 PM)
Elena - Yes - I would say that lots of alumni contacting the school may
not be a good thing, especially if you know they are doing it. One or
two letters (unsolicited) would probably be okay, but beyond that, most
adcoms would likely start to get irritated.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:48:44 PM)
Inge, going back to questions of judgment that we started with, how much is too much contact and communication? Does it change between winter and summer?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:49:30 PM)
Ankit - I would not submit a letter from a professor. Maybe a client,
but I would really focus on other weak aspects of your application at
first. It's unlikely that a recommendation from a professor will help at this point.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:50:46 PM)
Inge, would you view of recommendation from a professor differently if the professor had
supervised Ankit in a work-related project or in some position of
leadership?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:50:50 PM)
Rossy - I think it would be fine to mention, especially if he's paid
his deposit and is planning to attend. You can let them know that you
will be moving with him and then give them real reason to admit you by
mitigating your weaknesses.
ron (Jan 28, 2010 12:52:18 PM)
Hi Linda, when will be the best time for sending updates, Round 2 or Round 3?
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:52:28 PM)
Inge: Do current waitlisted candidates at Stanford and Wharton have
more chance to be admitted than the next years' applicants, if those
waitlisted candidates reapply?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:52:53 PM)
Ron, the best time to send updates is when you have something to say. You never know when your application will be reviewed.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:52:55 PM)
Linda- Too much contact and communication is difficult to know exactly,
but I would say no more than once every 3-4 weeks. More than that just
gets to be burdensome for the adcom. Less than that, though, and your
name might not be as familiar come waitlist evaluation time. Genuine,
sincere, updates with meaningful information is best.
qs (Jan 28, 2010 12:53:16 PM)
Inge: from adcom's perspective, what would make them admit you from the
waitlist other than improved stats? What goes through adcom's minds
at this point in time?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:53:22 PM)
Great advice, Inge.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:54:02 PM)
Linda - Yes, if the professor had supervised Ankit on a project or
during research or something significant, then that could be valuable
and it may be his only option in order to take advantage of the
additional recommendation.
Expecting (Jan 28, 2010 12:54:43 PM)
Inge: I think community service is my weak spot. Is there anything I can do now?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:55:11 PM)
Ozge - I'm not sure that I would say they have a better chance. I think
they have the same chance the following year as they did this year.
Remember that the applicant pool changes from year to year, so the
competition may change slightly.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:56:29 PM)
Ozge, I think you will get a few brownie points for persistence and
serious interest, but reapplication hinges on growth and improvement.
Again, assessment and evaluation are key.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 12:57:20 PM)
For all of you not accepted as well as waitlisted, you should be
pursuing parallel tracks: Doing what you can to get accepted from the
waitlist and preparing for a reapplication.
phoenix (Jan 28, 2010 12:57:40 PM)
Inge: My designated point of contact told me: In my case there was “NO
feedback” and it’s more of a “Waiting game”. Typically there could be a
case where an applicant may have a lower GMAT score so the adcom may ask
him for a retake. Also, it’s not the case that I was not very clear
about my goals. None of these apply in my case. Is she indicating
that I self assess my weaknesses or does she mean what she is saying?
Your take please?
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 12:57:41 PM)
QS - The biggest areas of concern outside of GMAT, in my experience, were
clear goals, why you need the MBA, and why our school? Also, clearly
showing leadership and team skills is another area where folks tend to
fall short.
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 12:58:58 PM)
Yes, I agree. Thank you.
rossy (Jan 28, 2010 1:00:24 PM)
Do you suggest an applicant retake the GMAT if they are at the in the bottom of the school's 80% range?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 1:01:15 PM)
Rossy, yes unless everything else is stellar, and probably even then.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 1:01:27 PM)
Expecting - It's hard to jump into something new at this point, but I
always tell people to think outside the box. Again, I doubt that would
be the only reason for waitlisting you, but you could update them on
how you spend your time outside of work, whether a hobby, taking care
of a family member, and church activities, etc.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 1:02:36 PM)
Expecting, getting started now also prepares you for reapplication.
When you reapply in the Fall, you will have over six months of
participation – not six weeks.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 1:03:02 PM)
Phoenix - does the school welcome updates?
phoenix (Jan 28, 2010 1:03:15 PM)
Yes.
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 1:03:32 PM)
Phoenix - I think she means that you need to self-assess. You may also
ask a friend or colleague or hire a consultant to look at your
application to see what they might find compared to you.
Elena (Jan 28, 2010 1:03:33 PM)
Linda, do you recommended taking statistics and calculus, etc. classes if the GMAT
can't be improved significantly? However, how does this help with the
waitlist considering that it will take a while to finish such classes?
Does the intention to take these classes have to be mentioned in the
waitlist letter to the school or is there a better way to approach this?
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 1:03:50 PM)
Elena, take those classes if your quant score is weak. If you say you are taking the classes, that already helps. Intention is less effective. When you get the grades, hopefully A's, then forward to the schools.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 1:04:43 PM)
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Have a very good day! Good luck with your applications!
ozge (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:05 PM)
You too-- thank you very much!
phoenix (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:26 PM)
Thank you very much!
Inge Miller (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:37 PM)
Thanks!
rossy (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:45 PM)
Yes, thank you! This has been very helpful!
almost_bigred (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:46 PM)
Thanks a lot Linda and Inge for sharing your views on my queries, it's really helpful in providing direction to proceed.
Linda Abraham (Jan 28, 2010 1:05:54 PM)
Thanks for the feedback, Almost_bigred.
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