Being placed on the waitlist at your dream MBA program can feel like being in limbo. But don’t despair—it means the Admissions Committee (AdCom) sees potential in your profile! The waitlist is your second chance to solidify your candidacy. At ARINGO MBA Admissions Consulting, we specialize in helping candidates turn that waitlist into an acceptance.

What AdComs are Looking For

The AdCom’s waitlist decision often signals a specific concern or a desire for more reassurance before offering a spot. For updates, AdComs are looking for one or all of these:

1. Identifying and Minimizing Profile Concerns- AdComs might be identifying any part of your profile that would be of concern (GPA, Exam Score, Work Ex). Your task is to:

  • Find ways to support your readiness for the program that minimize the risk of your gap.
  • Consider retaking an exam or taking supplemental courses (MBA Math, GMAC Business Fundamentals courses, or credit granting/graded courses).

2. Addressing Career Outcome Concerns- AdComs may have concerns that your career goals are mismatched with school outcomes or your potential post-grad. You need to:

  • Review the employment report for the program and ensure you have provided goals that are typical of the specific program.
  • Determine if you are making too big a pivot or leap with your short-term goals—should you change your short-term goal to be less ambitious and share an interim step to make post-grad?
  • If there isn’t enough support to illustrate your readiness for this move in your application, you provide additional research to support this move.

3. Demonstrating Specific Interest (Yield)- AdComs want reassurance about your specific interest in their program, ensuring that if you are admitted, you will, in fact, choose their program and not negatively impact their yield rate (admitted candidates that accept the offer). You must:

  • Demonstrate your desire for the program by attending additional events, engaging with current students and alumni.

Your Next Step: The Update Letter

After determining which of these apply to you, you’ll need to provide an update letter to the Adcoms. We are here to help you with creating an action plan and your letter.

Interested in help with your Waitlist materials? Reach out to ARINGO’s resident Waitlist Specialist, Jenifer Turtschanow at JeniferT@aringo.com