The line to get into a top business school has gotten considerably shorter thanks to the big slump in MBA applications

Waitlisted? Here’s What to Do

Getting waitlisted from your dream business school isn’t ideal. More often than not, landing on a waitlist is the reality for many applicants.

Stacy Blackman, founder of Stacy Blackman Consulting, recently offered a few tips on what you can do if you find yourself on a waitlist and how you can be at peace with your admissions outcome.

BE COMFORATABLE WITH AMBIGUITY

The first question that comes to mind for many on the waitlist is whether or not they’ll get in. That’s a question that, Blackman says, is tough to answer.

“It certainly does happen, yet you have little information about the waitlist’s ranking, how many people are on the waitlist, or whether the school will reach the yield they are looking for with regular applicants,” Blackman says. “Therefore, remaining on the waitlist means requires comfort with ambiguity. Hopefully, you were admitted to another school and can decide whether to stay in limbo.”

SHOULD I STAY ON THE WAITLIST?

Deciding whether or not to stay on the waitlist, Blackman says, is a personal decision that ultimately comes down to your interest in the specific MBA program.

“If it is your top choice, you may be willing to remain on the list until school begins, especially if you are willing to move quickly and give up a deposit on a school that has offered you firm admission,” Blackman explains. “If the waitlisting program is not your first choice, or you would like to settle your MBA plans before school starts, you may choose to remove your name from the list. It is a considerate move for another applicant if you do so promptly, allowing someone else a chance at their MBA dream.”

CAN I IMPROVE MY CHANCES OF ADMISSIONS?

Many waitlisted applicants may be eager to prove their candidacy to admissions officers—and there certainly are ways to do that. First and foremost, however, Blackman strongly advises applicants to follow the B-school’s provided instructions.

“The number one rule of waitlists is to follow directions,” Blackman says. “The school has provided instructions about how to handle the waitlist process. Follow these directions to avoid negatively impacting your standing with the admissions committee. If the school tells you that no additional materials are required, no supplemental materials are needed, and you should not submit any under any circumstances.”

However, if the B-school requests additional information, you can follow up with a supplementary letter of support. Generally, experts recommend having a letter from a member of the school community who can speak to your fit with the program.

“A one-page email is plenty – it need not be as formal as the letters of recommendation you previously submitted,” Caroline Diarte Edwards, Co-Founder and Director at Fortuna Admissions, says. “Don’t flood the admissions team with additional letters, however, this can backfire and potentially hurt your reputation. Also, note that certain schools don’t accept any additional materials, so you should respect that policy.”

Sources: Stacy Blackman Consulting, Fortuna Admissions

Next Page: When it makes sense to apply to only one business school