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Admissions Tip: Waitlist Letters

Your waitlist updates and letters of support from others should focus on three areas:

  1. Your qualifications: specifically recent professional achievements, academics, research,  increases in responsibility, initiatives, and community service.
  2. Steps you have taken to ameliorate weaknesses.
  3. Fit with the school.

The first two areas demonstrate that you are an even better applicant today than you were when you applied. The third reveals that you belong at that school like a hand fits in a snug glove on a cold winter day, and that you will attend if, or should I say when, accepted.

Suggestions for a Waitlist Update

  1. Briefly thank the school for continuing to consider your application and mention how the school's philosophy and approach fit your educational preferences and goals. Don’t dwell on your disappointment at not being accepted.
  2. Agree to take any additional courses or follow any additional instructions provided.
  3. Discuss recent achievements. Did you have a 4.0 during the last quarter? Have you led a project or organization? Volunteered? Have you taken your department, business, or club in a new direction? Have you had an article published? Earned a patent? Launched a business? Received a promotion or assumed additional responsibility? Succeeded in a particularly demanding class or project? You should bring out any recent accomplishments not discussed in your application and ideally tie them back to some of the themes or experiences you raised in your essay(s).
  4. Discuss how you have addressed shortcomings – without highlighting them. For example, if you enrolled in Toastmasters to improve your communications skills, inform the adcom that you joined Toastmasters two months ago, tell them of any awards you have won, and enlighten them as to how much you are enjoying the experience. BUT don’t say that you are doing all this because you are concerned about your low verbal score or sub-standard grades in social science courses.
  5. If you are certain you would attend this school, make it clear that this is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted.

Keep the letter short and sweet -- two pages max. Don’t succumb to the temptation to rewrite or even summarize your life history or essay(s). Stay focused on what you have accomplished since applying.

The above is an excerpt from  The Nine Mistakes You Don't Want to Make on an MBA WaitlistIf you are waitlisted at medical school or law school, you can find the advice you need The Nine Mistakes You Don't Want to Make on a Medical School Waitlist or The Nine Mistakes You Don't Want to Make on a Law School Waitlist.

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Reader Comments (6)

Hi, I was wondering if taking the GMAT again helps at all when you have been waitlisted.

Thanks
January 24, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterAdrian
It can help a lot if your GMAT was low and you increase it significantly.
January 26, 2008 | Registered CommenterLinda Abraham
Hi,

Wanted to check how one should be dealing with Tuck waitlist? They ask for an initial letter of interest to stay active on the waitlist - should that be 1-1.5 pages? or should the first letter be just to confirm that you would be interested ?

Thanks
February 10, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMx
I have been placed on the waitlist by Wharton. The school mentions that one should not contact them.

Does it mean that one should do nothing but just wait and watch?
February 10, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterwaiting...
waiting...

Barring requests for information from Wharton, that's what they want you to do. You can ask Thomas Caleel in person at the Wharton Waitlist Chat at Accepted on April 2.

Good luck!
Linda
February 12, 2008 | Registered CommenterLinda Abraham
Mx,

My first choice would be to make it something substantive and informative and not just, "Yes I want to remain on the waitlist." On the other hand, if you are facing an incredible deadline at work and simply don't have the time to compose a coherent response, then send in a very short confirmation of your interest followed by a more informative update when your project finishes in a week.

Good luck!
February 12, 2008 | Registered CommenterLinda Abraham

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