Waitlisted? Now what?

You can find an updated version of this post here.

This seems to be a very tough year to get admitted. I think we can assume next year will be even worse because more Americans will be applying to graduate school in lieu of being unemployed or underemployed. When the US economy goes bad, applications rise and the reverse is also true. Like every year, applicants find themselves getting waitlisted. While this post will focus on MBA, it also applies in general to other kinds of graduate programs. Here are my suggestions for how to proceed if you are waitlisted at B-School:

1. Don't panic or become depressed. The reason you were waitlisted is because there were too many qualified applicants and adcom likes, but don't know that they love you yet. Now is the time to think clearly and act effectively.

2. There are many reasons for getting waitlisted, but one I would like to immediately mention is yield control. That is to say, waitlisting highly qualified candidates who are applying to other top schools, is one way to further maximize yield (the percentage of admitted applicants who attend). Adcom directors want higher yield rates, not lower ones. After all, a higher yield indicates that more admits are choosing their school over other schools the applicants were admitted to. Consider the following yield rates ("Admitted applicants who enrolled in the newest class") taken from Businessweek:
HBS 89%
Stanford GSB 80%
CBS 77%
Wharton 67%
NYU 57%
Chicago GSB ?????

What does this tell you? As we could expect HBS and Stanford have very high rates, probably with double admits declining one for the other. Columbia which typically loses admits to HBS and Stanford, comes next, but as I stated in an earlier post, their numbers are somewhat inflated because of Early Decision. Wharton is next and it loses to HBS and Stanford consistently, and sometimes to Columbia (LOCATION!). NYU is next and it clearly loses to the rest of these schools as well as some others I did not list. Chicago GSB does not indicate what their yield is. Do they have something to hide? In my experience, they do because they consistently lose to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, and perhaps MIT as well. The University of Chicago, for all of its association with free markets, does not seem to believe that MBA applicants should be able to make purchasing decisions on the basis of good data.

Waitlisting is a highly reasonable tactic for admissions to take to see who really wants to attend after the 2nd round decisions come out. Therefore you may have been waitlisted because they think you will go elsewhere and they can afford to bet on it.

Keeping yield control in mind, one clear objective of communicating with adcom after you get waitlisted is to show your strong commitment to attend.

3. For those waitlisted from 1st round, you should, of course, know that adcom likes you, but they really wanted to see the main pool of applicants, before making any decisions. You might be waiting for a quite a while longer, but be patient.

4. Be proactive, but not aggressively annoying, with admissions. Adcom will let you know what additional materials they will accept and you should most certainly provide them. That said, the worst thing you can do is send a continuous stream of correspondence or otherwise annoy the admissions office. If you turn yourself into an annoying freak, you can assume you will not get admitted.

5. GMAT & TOEFL: If you can take it again, do it, if your score goes up report it. Higher scores always help.

6. Additional recommendation: If they will take one, provide it. Think very strategically about your selection. You don't want a recommendation that will not add something substantially different from what your previous recommendations stated. Try to use a recommender who will do one more of the following:
(a) A recommender who will provide support for any areas of professional weakness in your background.
(b) A recommender who will provide a perspective on different part of your background.
(c) A recommender who will provide support for earlier or more recent period of your life.
(d) If academic recommendations are acceptable and your GPA is not great, consider getting an academic recommendation if you can get a strong one.
(e) If your English ability maybe the issue, consider getting a recommendation from someone who can speak positively about your English communication skills.

Additionally, many schools will also take informal recommendations from alums, so if you can get one from someone who knows you, it can't hurt.

7. Waitlist essay. Write one! The typical components:
-Additional reasons why you want to attend to show your real commitment and passion for the school. Think classes, school's culture, or any other reason that would make the school ideal for you.
-Discussion of changes that have taken place in your professional career after your applied. If anything new and great has happened, you should most certainly write about it.
- New content that was not emphasized in your application. Use some combination of the following possible topics:
(a) If you did not sufficiently discuss your leadership or teamwork abilities, you should most certainly do so.
(b) Write about contributions you can make to the school based on your experience, background, personality, and network.
(c) If your academic potential was not obvious, you should try to demonstrate that.
(d) If you have SUBSTANTIAL personal or professional accomplishments that you did not discuss, you should do so.
(e) If you did not focus very much on non-professional content in your application, focus on it here.

If the length is not stated, I would try to keep it to between 500 and 1000 words. More is not inherently better, quality is, so don't write about everything you can think of. This essay is quite important, so make sure that the content is at least as good as that of your original application.

8. If you can visit the school, do so.

9. Get a fresh perspective on your application by rereading it now. By doing so, you will probably have a good idea about what kind of recommendation to get and waitlist essay to write.

10. Consider seeking the advice of an admissions consultant. If you have already worked with one, you can go back to that person if you are otherwise pleased with their work. They know you and they could help you put something together that caught admissions' eye. On the other hand, you might want to pay for a fresh perspective. I offer both waitlist and reapplication counseling in addition to interview and comprehensive consulting services.

11. Do you need a PLAN B? If you are waitlisted and/or dinged everywhere you applied, it is now time to start thinking about whether you are going to apply for more schools for Fall 2008, reapply for 2009, or give up. Whichever the case, you need Plan B in place. See my earlier post on getting dinged first round for some suggestions on how to proceed as what I wrote there applies to your situation.

Best of luck and may your wait be short and culminate in admission!

Questions? Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com. Please see my FAQ regarding the types of questions I will respond to.

-Adam Markus
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ビジネススクール カウンセリング コンサルティング 大学院 合格対策 MBA留学

Legacy Admissions Versus Merit-based Admissions

I strongly suggest reading Shikha Dalmia's excellent essay, "Legacies of Injustice: Alumni preferences threaten educational equity--and no one seems to care." As someone who believes that university admissions at both the undergraduate and graduate level should be based on the merits of the applicant, I hope that the preferential admissions of applicants who are the children of alums is ended. This unfair practice was eliminated by the University of California in 2000 and I hope that we see it happen elsewhere. All applicants deserve a fair shot at the admissions process.

World-class institutions of higher learning should be required to operate transparently when it comes to all administrative processes, but especially those concerning admissions. These institutions play a core role in a world increasingly based on merit, not inherited position. We should demand of them at least the same level of accountability we expect from publicly traded corporations and the government. If the Ivy's, in particular, don't regulate themselves, expect to see American politicians doing it. I think the day is not far away when the educational equivalent of the Securities and Exchange Commission is established to regulate university admissions and financial aid practices. If these schools can't regulate themselves, they should be regulated by the state or lose all US government funding.

Access to institutions of higher learning should not be subject to outmoded old boy networks and the dead weight of tradition. No doubt some will claim that is this will impact alumni giving, but I sincerely doubt it will have any significant impact on major contributors who expect no such quid pro quo arrangements. Ultimately the alums who really give over the long term will do so anyway. Alums who have deep pockets can take care of their children. We should have institutions that establish a legacy of fairness, not ones that offer legacies a back door into institutions for which they would otherwise not qualify for.

Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com. Please see my FAQ regarding the types of questions I will respond to.

-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス

MBA Interview Preparation: Special Offer to My Readers

If you have appreciated my blog posts on MBA interview preparation, you can now get get even more comprehensive advice from me. To thank readers of my blog, I am happy to offer a comprehensive interview preparation consulting session service. This special offer is available only for those seeking interview preparation and consists of the following:

1. We will have a one-hour session consisting of a mock session and
feedback. Alternatively for those who want a pure strategy session, the mock session will be omitted.

2. Face-to-face sessions are available in Tokyo, but otherwise the session will be conducted via Skype or, at your expense, by telephone.

3. I will review your complete application for one school in order to give you detailed personalized advice on how to prepare for and succeed at even the toughest interviews.

4. If you are interviewing for a school where the questions are likely to based on your application, I will formulate a list of questions specific to you.

The total cost will be $200 or 20,000 yen per session (you choose the currency). Additional sessions maybe scheduled as well. Contact me for details regarding bulk session discounts.

For information about my other services, see adammarkus.com, but note that the website will not mention this special offer.

If you are interested in preparing thoroughly for your interviews, please email me at adammarkus@gmail.com to arrange for payment and scheduling of your session.

Please Note: This offer expires on April 1, 2008, but maybe withdrawn without prior notice due to my limited availability.

-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス

ビジネススクール カウンセリング コンサルティング 大学院 合格対策 MBA留学

Additional Comments Regarding "The 98"

Click here for all of my rankings tables together in one post.

In regards to "The 98," my MBA program ranking by salary, I wanted to make some additional comments.

One advantage of a salary-based list of programs worldwide is that it helps to see the rising market value of MBA programs. It also means that those of us who help applicants considering worldwide application, start to pay more attention to such national leaders as the Indian School of Business, China Europe International Business School, Cranfield School of Management, and Australian Graduate School of Management. I will certainly begin coverage of these schools.

For those with a US MBA bias, this ranking should be humbling because so many of what are usually ranked quite highly in the US, don't, at least at the salary level, look as attractive as a FT, Businessweek or other such ranking might suggest.

Canada's top MBA programs don't rate very well at all. With the highest ranked coming in at 50 and a disproportionate number coming at the bottom of the list, it appears that the initial market value of these degrees is not spectacular.

From a school selection perspective, I think looking at the stark reality of the expected financial outcome is critical. Looking at this solely helps to put the outcome into focus. "The 98" is only one possible way of doing this.

I am well aware that applicants don't simply make selection choices on the basis of salary, but I think evaluating programs on this basis is one important consideration. In a subsequent post of rather large size, I will provide a more complete list of selection criteria.

Comments? Questions? Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com. Please see my FAQ regarding the types of questions I will respond to.

-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス

ビジネススクール MBA留学

Q&A with RSM MBA Director of Admissions

As I discussed in a previous post focused on my analysis of essay questions, RSM Erasmus University's International Full-Time MBA Program is a truly international program offering great ROI to graduates. Kirt Wood, the Director of Marketing and Admissions at RSM was kind enough to provide some really great advice for applicants.
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Kirt was kind enough to provide the following profile (Always good to know who the admissions director is!):
Kirt Wood is an American (with a Chilean father) who has lived and worked in Europe since 2000. Kirt joined the RSM Erasmus University as the Director of Marketing & Admissions, MBA Programmes in 2006. Kirt has spent 17 years working with institutions of higher learning in the U.S., Asia, and France in a variety of capacities: as student services coordinator, teacher, director of studies, development manager, and director. His years at UC Berkeley set the stage for a lifetime dedicated to quality education, diversity in a learning environment and personalized counseling. Kirt holds a Master’s degree in Consulting in Education from Paris V, Rene Descartes – La Sorbonne, an RSA Cambridge teaching credential and completed his Bachelor’s at U.C.Davis in International Relations. Kirt, his French wife, and three year old daughter truly enjoy living in the Netherlands and spend as much time as possible on bicycles!
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Now for the interview:

Adam: Are there any common characteristics among those who best fit RSM?

Kirt: RSM Erasmus MBA participants are highly motivated and determined to attain satisfying management positions, often with major companies and organizations. What makes them unique is their sense of adventure and global scope. As RSM is 96% international, our participants come from all over the world. They are risk takers and are taking steps to reposition themselves in a truly diverse global marketplace. They will leverage their professional and life experiences, language skills, hard and complex skills as well as their sense of ethics and creativity. All of these areas are emphasized on the RSM MBA.
Adam: Can someone with very little international experience get into RSM?

Kirt: Having “international experience” is not a requirement for admission. However, openness to total diversity and global business practices is essential. A candidate who acknowledges that they wish to undertake the RSM Erasmus MBA Programme because they desire to increase their understanding of global business practices and “manage in a diverse world, as well as demonstrate strong motivation and career plans in this direction, is always welcome on our programme.

Adam: What is campus life like at RSM?

Kirt: Rare in Europe is the “American-style” campus. Here at RSM Erasmus, however, we enjoy an enormous campus with more than 25 buildings (most of them modern and attractive), many student restaurants, high-tech plug ins and wi-fi, a fabulous sports/fitness center, tennis courts and, yes, a pub on campus! The library, however, is a bit disappointing. Available during the days – closed for the most part on weekends. There are many campus magazines, clubs and organizations. Many cultural and sporting events are organized as well. MBA’s tend to set themselves apart (like in most major universities I think) and create their own clubs, events and parties. This has, over the years, been the resounding success of the RSM when speaking with alumni all over the world. They have cherished memories of student life and the collegial “family-like” atmosphere of the “J Building” (MBA Building).

Adam: What is Rotterdam like? Why would I want to spend 15 months there?

Kirt: I think it key to remember that our participants are, like other top MBA participants, seeking career growth opportunities. This means 15 months goes very quickly and the programme is action-packed. On top of study and preparation of projects, students are networking and job seeking. 4 months of the programme is spent working with a major company in an associateship position. (11 months + 4 months associateship). In short, time flies!

Rotterdam is, however, a lovely European city. Honestly, not too big, not too small. It has an impeccable transport system, bike paths everywhere and a charming and sophisticated downtown. It is key to understand that, in addition to being the largest port in Europe (2nd largest in the world), Rotterdam is located on the Southern end of a strip that runs from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. The Netherlands is the only European country to offer “expat status” to companies as well as individuals.

Adam: Since you don’t require an English test like TOEFL, how do you measure English language ability for those who are not native English speakers?

Kirt: At RSM, we do not require a TOEFL,TOEIC or IELTS exam. (although
we reserve the right to do so if we are concerned.) We use the GMAT score to gain some insight into language skills. However, we have a very rigorous interviewing process. Candidates that cannot effectively express their ideas and demonstrate that they can function at an MBA level in team situations, will, most likely, not be admitted. Candidates targeting the RSM MBA need to really concentrate on writing a good application (their own writing, of course!) and prepare thoroughly for their interview. (I have been known to “spot check” a candidate by calling them at an unannounced time on their mobile phone!)

Adam: What kind of GMAT score is usually required for admission and how flexible are you about admitting applicants with scores below the 80% range?

Kirt: A GMAT is only one small part of the entire application. Our average is 640 and we believe that candidates who drop below 60% in the quantitative area may struggle with the analytical aspects of the MBA. We need them to be able to “hit the ground running”. We publish no minimum score. Naturally, for non-native speakers of English, the verbal and written sections are going to factor in most heavily during the application evaluation process. Also, we will examine transcripts to see how a candidate performed in various subject areas. Great transcripts, however, cannot be accepted in place of a poor GMAT score. We will, however, attempt to view the GMAT in the context of the complete application including essays and interviews.

Adam: If an applicant’s GPA is lower than 3.0 on the 4.0 scale, what do you suggest they do to demonstrate their academic potential to succeed at RSM?
Kirt: European systems generally are pass/fail systems. Although we do look at GPA, we do not view grades the same way U.S. institutions do. GPA is a very North American term. We will of course, carefully examine academic performance. Our candidates, however, come from all over the world and, frankly, they each have their own grading systems and standards. (Our true challenge! If only it were so easy to have an international standard GPA!)

However, grades must also be considered in the context of both the years of professional experience and the quality of that professional experience (bolstered of course by very strong professional letters of recommendation.) Sometimes, post Bachelor’s degree, people begin to blossom and thrive. (Results are no longer measured with “grades” but with goals and targets that feel more tangible) This means that the academic arena may not have been the best environment for growth for the individual – or they thrive when learning becomes applied. Because an MBA offers a nice balance between academic and practical aspects, we will look to admit those who, though maybe not a valedictorian, have demonstrated clear professional progress since graduating college. Naturally, good grades enhance an application and are valued at RSM.

Adam: How important are recommendations? What constitutes a great recommendation?

Kirt: Recommendation letters are very important to the RSM MBA application. I highly recommend that potential MBA candidates spend time speaking with their recommenders and encouraging them to be as complete (concise is ok) and precise as possible regarding the candidates performance. A great recommendation letter will come from the highest person within the candidate’s organization who can accurately discuss the candidate’s job performance and progression within the company. A recommendation from a professor the candidate had 5 years ago has minimal impact on a strong MBA candidate’s application. Occasionally, MBA candidates are unable to ask for recommendations from their direct supervisor. In this case, again, I recommend a candidate finds a professional with whom they work (senior to them) who will be able to accurately describe their performance in the workplace.

Adam: How important is the interview?

Kirt: The interview at RSM is assuredly the most critical factor in the MBA application. Only a candidate who has been pre-selected can be interviewed. This means, if a candidate is offered an interview, we clearly see strength in their application. We will attempt to “affirm” what we have found in the application. But the interview truly becomes the opportunity for an MBA candidate to “shine” - to discuss themselves in detail and to engage in conversation giving a more well-rounded impression of their goals and potential.

Adam: How would you differentiate RSM from internationally focused MBA programs like Georgetown and Thunderbird in the US?

Kirt: Georgetown and Thunderbird are good schools, clearly and have done a very effective job of marketing their international focus. I think that, in spite of their strong desires to create internationally-focused programmes within the U.S., these schools still remain very rooted in U.S. best practices and draw the large part of their students and faculty from the U.S. This is not the case for the RSM Erasmus University that, although located in the Netherlands, draws its faculty and student base from all around the world. The Dutch have never been a majority at RSM within our full-time MBA Programme and our faculty, the Dean and corporate umbrella all reflect our multinational nature. We not only, however, claim to be international, we claim to be about total diversity…which, you surely know, goes beyond a mere passport to issues of religion, race, gender…

Adam: How do you compare your program to other top European programs?

Kirt: We are happy to be among them. Like Europe itself, European MBA’s each have their own cultures and driving forces…each unique, each worth exploring. RSM is about quality general management in an inspiring and collegial environment. We create a space where young managers can safely experiment, learn and grow while building personal and professional networks that they will keep for the rest of their careers and lives. Because of our size, I think we are able to offer a truly quality MBA experience. I think what has been created at RSM is absolutely unique!

Adam: How important are campus visits? Do you keep track of who visits? Does a visit impact an applicant’s chance for admission?

Kirt: Undertaking an MBA is like getting married. A campus visit is part of the dating process. This can happen in reality as well as virtually. Naturally, the most intense period of “getting to know each other” happens face to face, so we recommend the visit. It is not possible for everyone, so it is not a requirement. Those who do not come for a visit, however, have a greater “leap of faith” to make when ultimately deciding on the right MBA programme for them.

We do believe that campus visits help manage expectations of our MBA candidates and ensures that the marriage, in the long term, will be beneficial to both parties.

Hospitality in the Netherlands is an art form. All of our visitors are important to us and will, of course, be remembered. However, we strive to maintain close relationships with all those who contact us, regardless of the means by which they do so.

Adam: How often does RSM waitlist applicants? Can you provide some information about that?

Kirt: RSM uses wait-listing occasionally. Because we seek balance in all areas, if we see that our MBA class is losing that balance of diversity, we will employ a wait-list. During these times, however, we give strong feedback to candidates and communicate regularly with them with respect to their admission status. We know how stressful the application process can be.

Adam: Can applicants get in touch with alums and current students? How?

Kirt: Absolutely! RSM is all about transparency. How could anyone be expected to commit to an MBA without knowing who they will be involved with? Since we take a one-to-one counseling-based approach to admissions, candidates who wish to communicate with our participants and alumni need to, of course, share a little about themselves and their interest in doing an MBA at RSM. At which point, our Marketing and Admissions Managers are prepared to guide them to key people who can give them the information they require. This can include participants, partners, alumni, faculty or staff. mba.info@rsm.nl

Adam: Can applicants get in touch with faculty members who they have a strong desire to work with?

Kirt: Again, once candidates have a well-established relationship with our Marketing and Admissions Managers, we guide them to the appropriate person to answer their questions and deal with their concerns. For many participants, meeting faculty is key. We travel around the world and offer info sessions (as you have already attended one!), offer open days and campus visits and, many of the professors have blog spaces to help give more access to the general public.

Adam: What is the age cutoff for the International Full-time MBA?

Kirt: We have no age cut-off. We are committed to “total diversity” (and this includes age). Our average age range is between 26 and 34 years old. (we’ve had 40 year olds and 22 year olds exceptionally!) However, we are concerned about how maturity will fit in with the fit of the overall class. I recommend candidates communicate with us throughout the admissions process and they can expect honesty on our part regarding their age and how this will affect any admissions decision.

Adam: What changes to do you expect to see at RSM in the coming years?

Kirt: The RSM Erasmus University has recently taken on a new Dean, George Yip, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the international educational arena. We await big changes under his stewardship!
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If you are interested in RSM’s Full-Time or other MBA offerings, please see their site for more information. For Fall 2008, you need to apply by July 15th. If you have the opportunity to attend an information session or, better yet, visit the campus, I strongly suggest doing so.

Questions? Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com. Please see my FAQ regarding the types of questions I will respond to.


-Adam Markus

ビジネススクール カウンセリング コンサルティング 大学院 合格対策 エッセイ MBA留学 エッセイ