Waitlisted MBA Applicants are Still in the Game

waitlisted MBA applicant

Now that Round 2 applicants have heard from the programs they applied to, it’s time to talk about what it means if you get waitlisted. If that happens, your first question might be, “Well, now what?” While few candidates celebrate landing on the waitlist, don’t give up hope. First of all, waitlist status by your target school is a good sign. You’re someone they would like to have in the class, but something is holding up a final decision.

Remember: you weren’t rejected. You’re still in the running, and that means your file has real strengths—your candidacy is “admit-adjacent.”

Perhaps your profile is near-identical to someone who they did admit. In this case, the admissions team wants to balance the class carefully and needs to see other candidates in subsequent rounds. Or, your application might have a weakness that’s giving the admissions committee pause. If the latter is correct, there may be steps you can take to increase your chances of admission.

“While it’s tough to cope with the uncertainty, I would advocate for a reframe and instead see this as a positive,” writes Max Bracey (MBA ’26) on the UCLA Anderson MBA Insider blog.

“There are a lot of applicants who didn’t make it to this point and there’s still hope. I was in the exact same position this time last year and it did eventually work out so I am here to reassure you to stay the course!”

Did you know that SBC offers hourly services that include help for waitlisted and dinged applications? Engage with us for waitlist strategy and communications or a ding analysis here

Should I Stay on the Waitlist?

Ultimately, deciding to stay on the waitlist depends on your interest level in that particular MBA program. If it’s your top choice, you may want to remain on the list until school begins. That could mean moving quickly and giving up a deposit on a school that has offered you firm admission.

waitlisted

However, consider what’s realistic for you regarding logistics—housing, visa timelines, and employer notice—if an offer comes late in the summer.

If the 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. If that’s the case, do so promptly and give someone else a chance at their MBA dream.

Take Note of Each School’s Waitlist Policy

It is essential to follow the rules, so make sure you understand your school’s waitlist policy. Some schools ask that you refrain from submitting additional materials, but most allow and even encourage meaningful updates. Find out if your schools publish webinars advising waitlisted applicants or offer application feedback.

“Be patient, and send thoughtful updates of something truly important (e.g., move internationally or major award/achievement),” shared a former HBS Admissions Officer on the SBC team.

Bonus tip: If allowed, a short letter of continued interest reiterating why the program is your top choice—and how you’d contribute to the class—can go a long way.

Improve Your Odds While Waitlisted

The top three reasons candidates get waitlisted are unclear post-MBA goals, low test scores or GPA, and lack of quantitative preparation. Esther Magna, a principal consultant here at SBC, offers this waitlist advice.

“Applicants should do some self-reflection to discover any weakness in their application,” she says, “such as a low GMAT score or ineffective essays, that could make the admissions team hesitant to offer them a place.”

The key, she says, is to identify and take action on them. When deciding what improvements merit an update to the admissions team, Magna says, “A promotion, raise, or an award is almost always a useful piece of information to share.”

Likewise, if you’ve retaken the GMAT/GRE and improved your score, or completed a quant-heavy course like HBS CORe or Berkeley’s MicroMasters in business, that can also strengthen your case.

She also notes that sometimes, demonstrating a firm commitment to the school can help your odds. One SBC client applying to Duke’s Fuqua School of Business turned a waitlist decision into an admit by sending the admissions team a picture of his child wearing a Fuqua shirt. “Some programs are ‘suckers’ for kids,” Magna says.

What advice does former Duke AdCom/current SBC consultant Sherry have for waitlisted applicants?

@stacyblackmanconsulting #sbcyourfuture #GetOffTheWaitlist ? original sound – Stacy Blackman Consulting

What Not to Do When On the Waitlist

No matter which school’s waitlist you may land on, make sure every interaction you have with the admissions department adds value to your file. Exercise restraint in communications. But also convey your enthusiasm whenever possible, as they want to be sure you’ll say yes if admitted. An information overload will negatively impact your candidacy, so use your good judgment here.

Don’t overwhelm the AdCom’s inbox!

And please—no gimmicks. Resist the urge to send cupcakes, swag, or song lyrics (yes, people really do that). Your updates should be meaningful, not cringe-worthy.

In this B-Schooled episode, host Chandler pulls together suggestions from other SBC podcasts and new insights to give you all the tools you need to survive your time on the waitlist and, hopefully, thrive. You’ll learn why candidates get waitlisted and what information AdComs are looking for if updates are allowed.

Finally, to all those waitlisted candidates out there, take heart. If you were not someone they thought could be a great addition to the class, you wouldn’t be on the waitlist. Hang on and stay strong—and positive—as you wait out this last leg of the MBA admissions process.

Remember: You’re not out. You’re in limbo, and limbo is where comebacks are born. A number of waitlisted candidates are ultimately accepted into top programs each year, so there’s reason to remain positive!

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Being waitlisted doesn’t mean your journey is over—it means your next move matters. If this MBA program is still your top choice, now’s the time to engage strategically and thoughtfully. Our experienced team can help you craft the right updates and reinforce your candidacy with intention. Contact us to develop your waitlist strategy today.

Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.

SBC’s star-studded consultant team is unparalleled. Our clients benefit from current intelligence that we receive from the former MBA Admissions Officers from Harvard HBS, Stanford GSB and every elite business program in the US and Europe.  These MBA Admissions Officers have chosen to work exclusively with SBC.

Just two of the many superstars on the SBC team:
Meet Erin, who was Assistant Director of MBA Admissions at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB) and Director of MBA Admissions at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

Meet Andrea, who served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years.

Tap into this inside knowledge for your MBA applications by requesting a consultation.

Contact

(323) 934-3936
info@StacyBlackman.com

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