Among the first questions we often hear from waitlisted applicants is, What now? Below is some guidance on what to do to remain actively engaged with Tuck while under consideration for subsequent admission round(s).
Tuck’s commitment to maintaining a small class size means we make difficult admissions decisions within a competitive pool of applicants—including having to waitlist some compelling candidates. An offer for a spot on Tuck’s waitlist is a positive indicator of your alignment with our four admissions criteria and the overall competitiveness of your application.
First, decide whether you would like to remain under consideration at Tuck. If your answer is YES, respond to the Waitlist Opt In form in your decision letter or from your application status page. We will also reach out via email before subsequent rounds to have you reaffirm your interest in remaining a waitlisted candidate. The admissions committee will re-review your candidacy in each subsequent application round, at the end of which you may be offered admission, your waitlist status may be extended, or you may be released from consideration. If your waitlist status is extended and you wish to remain under consideration, you must recommit to your spot on the waitlist as prompted.
Reflect on your application. Think about how you demonstrated each of our four criteria, and whether you see an opportunity for improvement on any of them. Maybe you could have scored higher on your GMAT or GRE. Were your goals or your rationale for your MBA as clear as they could be? Were your professional accomplishments and progression clearly articulated? Did you use the activities section of the application to provide additional depth and breadth to your extracurricular involvement during and after college? Check-in with yourself, and whether there is anything you have done since submitting your application that bolsters your strengths or addresses any of your self-perceived areas for improvement.
Consider our feedback and act on it as best as you can. After accepting your spot on the waitlist, you will receive an email from our team directing you to your application status page for feedback on how to strengthen your candidacy. Our feedback might confirm the results of your own reflection but could also surface actionable steps you haven’t yet considered. We suggest that you take this feedback seriously and reflect on how you might act on it. Following our recommendations does not guarantee admission, but it will likely strengthen your application within a competitive pool of applicants. In some cases, there may be nothing you can do to strengthen your application but wait. Due to our personal scale and our commitment to maintaining a small student body, we can’t offer admission to every applicant. While waiting might at times feel like the most challenging part of the application process, please know we are sincere in our feedback if there are no recommended steps.
Update us with important information. We remain committed to being accessible and transparent throughout your time on the waitlist. If you have new information to share with us that substantially adds to your candidacy (updated test scores, significant new work accomplishment, etc.), let us know via the Applicant Material Upload form on your application status page. These updates will be added to your application for consideration. And if you do not have new information to add, that is okay too. If we have questions or require additional information, we will contact you, so be sure to update us through your status page if there are any changes to your contact information. Lastly, over the course of your time on the waitlist, you may decide to pursue other opportunities that preclude you from enrolling at Tuck. If this is the case, please let us know via the Withdraw from the Waitlist form on your status page that you wish to remove yourself from consideration.
Be patient. This might be the most difficult part of the process. Follow our recommendations, do your best to manage stress and anxiety, and trust the process. Demonstrating good judgment while on the waitlist is further evidence of the aware admissions criterion; please be mindful of the number of updates and check-ins. Some candidates will remain on the waitlist for more than one application round and into the summer months. If you receive additional emails or requests from us, respond promptly and by the deadlines communicated to you. Consider what steps you would need to take to matriculate at Tuck and leave your employer in good standing should you receive an offer of admission in late summer.
We know waiting can be hard, and we hope this guidance alleviates some anxiety and provides additional clarity. We encourage you to look at the Waitlist FAQ for additional insights.
We recognize your potential to contribute and thrive at Tuck, and we look forward to staying in touch!
Create a profile to learn more about Tuck and receive news and updates
