Waitlist Chat Transcript - 04/04/13 10 AM Q: What are our chances of getting off the waitlist? A: We don't have an exact answer for you. We were conservative with the number of offers we extended in R1 and R2, so we do plan to actively use the WL, this spring/summer. Q: Could you let us know the process going forward for wait- listers, as in what to expect, and what happens from this point forward? A: From this point forward, please feel free to send any professional and personal updates. You can email mbawaitinglist@sloan.mit.edu. There is no deadline, but the sooner the better! Q: Maybe you could let us know the number of people on the waitlist for this round and is there any clarity regarding how many spots might open up? A: Currently we have about 200 people on the waitlist. This is a combination of some Round 1 and R2 applicants who were not interviewed yet, and some R2 who were interviewed. Q: I would like to understand a little bit more what is recommended for waitlisted candidates to get off the list? (recommendation letters, essays, videos, etc.) A: You can send any updates such as a promotion, new project, new volunteering, classes taken, awards, etc. This can be in the form of essays or multimedia, if you prefer. You can also send new recommendations if you would like. If you know any Sloan Alumni or current students, their insight is always helpful. Q: How many extra pieces can we send in? I would try to stick to around 3 updates. There is no maximum, but between 3-5 is more than enough. (This includes personal update letters as well as additional recommendations) Q: I understand that some people on the wait list have been interviewed and others have not. What is the difference between those who have
versus haven't and does that have any implication on your chances of getting off the wait list? A: You're right, there's a combination of interviewed/not interviewed candidates on the waitlist. At this point, there's no difference between the two categories. I plan to conduct some interviews in May/June for those who have not yet been interviewed. Q: If admitted in June, July, or August, would we have the opportunity to apply for the E&I Track (or other)? A: Yes, waitlist students can still apply to take part in the tracks. Q: When is the best time in the application process to provide new supporting documentation? A: I would send them within the next month. Every time you email us, we add everything to the file. The sooner you send in those updates, the better! Q: You ve mentioned that you re using the waitlist differently this year. Could you give some color on how this affected the decision sent Tuesday, and how you see it impacting the remainder of the acceptances? A: We took 27 waitlisted applicants from round 2 and admitted them. For Round 2, we were conservative with admitting students in hopes to have an active waitlist. Q: Generally would you say that a candidate in the waitlist who was interviewed has better odds than a candidate who has not interviewed yet? A: Those who have not been interviewed yet are not at a disadvantage. We will invite more people to interview in May/June Q: Are you letting people of the wait- list as spots open up, or are you waiting until the June 1st, July 1st, etc. deadlines to let people know? A: Typically, we admit as spots open up. We hope to have some activity in late May and early June. Q: If we give a latest possible acceptance date of Sept 1 vs. July 1 does that increase our chances of being accepted?
A: We only ask the date until which you're willing to wait, so we know how to manage the list. The majority of offers off the waitlist will be made in June (or late May). But those who can stay on until Sept. sometimes get lucky, since few spots often open up in late August. Q: If we gave updated information to our interviewer (promotion/activities), should we assume that is already in our file, or should we send it as an update? A: Please resend the updated information to mbawaitinglist@sloan.mit.edu. Q: Reading past waitlist transcripts, I understand that the process to be this: The make up of the diverse class has been set. Therefore, if a current accepted student declines the spot, your team would go to the waitlist to find someone of similar background. Can you confirm this is the case? A: Yes, this is the process early on, but as the summer continues the diversity of our WL and our ability to admit international applicants gets more difficult. Q: Should the new recommendation be sent directly from our recommender or from us A: We would rather have the recommendation come from the recommender and not you. Q: I want to accept a place on the waiting list, but I can receive the response up to mid of June in order to have time enough to apply for visa. What do you recommend to input: June 1 or July 1? Do we receive the response before or on these deadlines? A: Put the date that you know you would still have time to receive a Visa. A later date does not tell us you are more interested so do not worry about that. Please put the date that if you were admitted, you could still come in time. Q: Some people think those who were interviewed but got waitlisted have better chances than those who have not yet been interviewed, but I personally think it is the other way around since for those who got
interviewed, there might not be any much opportunity to improve their profile on paper. If so, please share what kind of additional information can we provide to improve our chances of getting accepted eventually? A: That's not the way we look at it. If you've been interviewed you can still send in additional information to support your case. And for those who haven't been interviewed yet, they still need to be invited to interview, so sending written information soon, is a good idea, then we'll determine who we invite an move forward in the process. Q: I realize it is difficult to give specifics on the chances of being admitted from the wait list. Can you give any insight as to how many students have been accepted into the program, and your target size for the class? A: Specifics on how many students we admitted are confidential, but our target class size is around 400 students. Q: Hi everyone. My question is about the internationals waitlist. Because of the visa process, do you consider telling them earlier if they will be accepted or denied? A: We try to tell waitlisted students as soon as possible! We understand the Visa process and hope to have decisions completed earlier than that. Q: If I am invited to the interview in May/June, can I choose either an on- campus interview or Skype interview? Or is it on- campus only? I am an international applicant. A: I don't know the answer to that yet. We'll actually be doing some travel in May/June (for other reasons - recruiting primarily) but may be able to add a handful of interviews in person in different locations. Otherwise you would be invited to either Skype or Cambridge. Q: The new updates we send in addition to what you have mentioned earlier - should it also contain some clarifications on our application i.e. explaining job transitions? A: If you feel explaining a certain aspect of your application would benefit you, then yes please include that information in the updates.
Q: Is it preferable for recommendations to come from new recommenders? Or would you value an update from one of the people who recommended us in the first place? A: We would prefer new recommendations at this time. Q: When we send updates to the email address you provided to whom should we address the email? Rod Garcia? A: You can address the email to Rod or the Admissions Committee. Q: Are candidates removed before the deposit deadline for Round 2 or until the deadline expires you do not remove people from the waitlist? A: We will periodically release people from the WL. Q: Can my recommender send the new recommendation your email saying it is for me? A: Have the recommender send it to mbawaitinglist@sloan.mit.edu. The recommendation can be in the body of the email. Q: If we are scheduled to take the GRE/GMAT again, should we include our new scores in an update? A: Yes, that's a great update to send. Q: In case MIT is the only school that we have applied to (due to synergies), is that information meaningful to the selection process? A: Yes, please let us know if MIT Sloan was the only school you applied to. Q: Is there any way of finding out what would most strengthen out application, any feedback on the application as is? A: Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback to waitlist candidates. Q: You said you admitted 27 from the Round 2 WL last year. Any idea how many of the 200 you will admit this year? A: We will assess the numbers once we know how many people accept our offers.
Q: Team, following up on a question someone asked earlier about the waitlisted people who have or have not been interviewed. Do you know the breakdown between them? A: As of right now, we have no specific numbers of the breakdown. However, the waitlist is not ranked so no one is at a more disadvantage than others. Q: Hi, when do you plan to start send invites to waitlisted applicants? A: I don't know exactly when this will start, but I'm thinking definitely by mid- May, but maybe before. Q: If we'd like to change the date that we'd picked while filling out the waitlist form, is that possible? A: Yes, just fill out the form again. Q: Interviews will be in late May/early June, by what time we will get to know if we have been shortlisted for interviews? A: You should hear if you've been invited to interview by mid- June. Q: It was mentioned that a peer recommendation from someone who is an alum and knows the candidate very well can enhance the application. Similarly, would it be beneficial to submit a recommendation letter from a peer who may not be an alum of MIT Sloan's MBA program, but rather a current student in another graduate studies program at MIT? A: Yes, that would be beneficial. We like hearing from peers who know what it takes to attend MIT even if it is another program. Q: If supplemental information was sent to Rod by an alumni, would it automatically make it to our file? A: Yes Q: In your past experience, what type of updates prove to be most significant or most useful for the admissions? A: Updates that show success at work, improved test scores or additional course work you've completed, and any letters of support form the MIT Sloan community, are all great.
Q: Logistical question - when our WL status is updated or we will be contacted for an interview, will we be notified via email, phone etc. or should we just log into our account often to check? A: You will receive an email with all updates. The email may direct you to log into the account. Q: Would you recommend having a nonprofessional recommendation sent (such as someone you do volunteer work with, if we cannot think of another solid recommendation from someone from professional experiences? I know they are frowned upon for the original application but was wondering if that changed at this stage. A: Yes, at this point you can send nonprofessional recommendation letters. This will give us an additional insight into your application. Q: Can we send updates / recommendations to our interviewer? Or, do they have to go to the general mbawaitling list email address? A: Everything should be send to the general mbawaitinglist email address Q: You mentioned we should hear if we'll be invited to an interview by mid- June if we were waitlisted without an interview. Does this mean we should send all our updates before mid- June? A: Yes, please send updates soon Q: If I was already interviewed, should I expect to be interviewed again? A: No, if you were already interviewed, you will not be invited to interview again. Q: Could you give some insight onto accepted students events that we would still be able to make should we be removed from the WL and accepted? Or will we miss all such events? A: At this time, you cannot attend any admitted student events. If taken off the waitlist, many admits get together throughout the summer, and you will be made aware of these events. Q: How may we access this chat session once it is finished? Will it be available? I would like to review the questions and answers.
A: We will create a transcript of this chat and post it to the WL faq page, within a week or so Q: If you were one of the applicants that was waitlisted after interviewing, is it possible to request for another interview? A: Unfortunately not. Although if I have questions, I often call waitlist applicants to talk with them by phone (but not a 2nd interview). Q: I have already got a planned a business flight to USA and I would like to get advantage to visit the campus. However all class visits and information sessions are full. What do you recommend? Are there other events that I could go? A: You can still join Ambassadors. Please email mbaadmissions@sloan.mit.edu saying the date you want is filled but you are still interested in attending. Q: What percent of the waitlist is typically offered a spot in the class each year on average? A: The numbers vary from year to year, based on our yield and the # of spots we initially offer. I'd say we typically admit from 1-25 people from the WL each year. But like I explained earlier, we were conservative with our admit numbers this year so I expect to see a good amount of WL activity this summer/spring Q: What are the chances of applying/receiving financial aid if admitted from the waitlist? A: Access to financial aid is still available to students who get off the waitlist. Q: Most of the wait list candidates have already had an interview? A: About 60% have already been interviewed. Q: Does it have to be just "updates"? Can we add anything which is not an "update" after the application but something that we didn't add to our application, such as why we prefer MIT Sloan? A: Yes, you can certainly send an update on why you prefer Sloan!
Q: Do you think recommendation from peers (COO, CEO in case of start up experience) add value to the application? A: at this point, we will accept recommendations from peers especially if you work at a start up. Q: Would a recommendation of an MIT alumni (non- Sloan) also count as a supporting letter from the MIT community or are you looking for Sloanies only at this point? A: Any and all MIT support is welcome. This includes both alumni and current students. Q: How often is the waitlist reviewed by the committee, and does each person have a case manager? A: There is a committee that reviews waitlist. You will receive an email confirmation stating all information has been updated when you email mbawaitinglist@sloan.mit.edu. Waitlist applicants are constantly assessed. Q: Is a candidate from India only offered chance when another candidate from India drops off? A: Not exactly. We categorize by international domestic... not country specific Q: In light of accepting recommendations from peers, what about team members that you have been actively teaching but who are technically below you? A: At this time, we can receive a recommendation from someone you have trained. This will give us another perspective on your application. Q: I apologize if this was already asked, but is there expected to be any waitlist movement before the June 1st date? A: Yes I do expect some movement before June 1, but most will happen after. Q: If we sent an email to mbawaitinglist@sloan and did not receive a confirmation the application has been updated, could there have been a problem? Should we resend?
A: You should receive confirmation if sent to the mbawaitlinglist email address. If you haven't yet, please re- send. Q: I heard that last year, the enrollment yield rate (~64%) of the accepted students was much higher than you predicted. As a result, you asked for volunteers to defer admissions until the next year. Nevertheless, only about 4 students volunteered to defer admissions (less than desired), resulting in 413 Class of '14 students enrolling. Would this effect the number of students you plan to accept for the Class of '15 and consequence the number of students on the waiting list who will eventually be accepted? A: You do your research! Like I said, we were conservative with the total number we admitted thus far, to avoid being in a similar situation as last year. So I do expect to use the WL to meet our target number of 400 MBA students Q: Is there any sector/nationality/gender specific cut- off number in the admitted class? A: We look for a diverse class each year but have no specific numbers we need to reach. We have no quotas. Q: I was wondering if there is any specific information (on top of that already provided by the previous letters) that the adcom would seek from the new recommendations? A: We re always looking for the same thing, and if your updates follow the questions we ask on the official application recommendation form that's perfect. Q: Is there a limitation on sending pictures/link to videos that give a more visual update on what I have been doing in volunteering work? A: No, there is no limit, but I would not send updates constantly. Q: What format should the new recommendations be in? Should I ask my recommender to follow the MIT prescribed format even if my recommender happens to be a peer? A: They can use the format that MIT prescribes or use letter format. Either works for us!
Q: To clarify, will you be taking people off the waitlist (and letting them know) as and when slots open up, or only on the mentioned dates (June 1, July 1 etc)? A: If you are taken off the waitlist, it can be at any time, not the given date you mentioned. Q: Can we change "last day I can accept an offer" date? I submitted my date as Sept 1st without realizing that international students have to receive an answer around June 1st because of obtaining a visa. A: Yes, you can re log on and change the date. Q: Is there a specific order in which you evaluate candidates on the waitlist? Or do you constantly assess all of them based on what type of candidates accept their offers? A: We take a holistic approach to reviewing the WL. Everyone is being considered equally, I do not have a ranked list of candidates. Q: How would you perceive updates that have to do with potential changes that reflect the direction in which I'll be headed. A: We are always interested in hearing what you want to do in the future. However, it is hard for us to assess since it has not happened already. Q: What is the last date that international students can be accepted off the waitlist? Thanks! A: Most likely July 1. It's difficult for int'l admits to get a visa processed in time for the start of school, if accepted after that. Q: Do waitlisted candidates lose any benefits (i.e. Fellowships and Scholarships, treks, courses, loans, etc.)? A: For those admitted from the WL, it's unlikely we'll have any fellowship/scholarship funding available. All of these awards have already been extended. But you are still eligible for everything that happens once you're a matriculated student (in fact nobody will ever know you were admitted from the WL).
Q: I'm sure every year's mix of students is a little different. How would you describe this year's mix of admits? Is it particularly strong in certain areas such as entrepreneurship or finance? Does it include more or fewer international students than other years? Since WL applicants cannot attend events for admitted students, any information you can give about the incoming class would be much appreciated. A: This was the most competitive year we've ever seen. Only 10% of those who applied were admitted. We have a strong representation of finance, entrepreneurship, tech, ops, marketing, non- profit, etc. I think the balance of experience represented is similar to that of previous years. Q: Will the graduate loans still be extended to candidates admitted late in the cycle. How much time is typically required to get the paperwork done for loans? A: Yes, you will still have access to graduate loans. There are many options for loans, but if you are going through MIT Credit Union, they can help you quickly. Typically, everything takes less than a month. Q: Is there a combination of updates the committee prefers to see (i.e., a professional recommendation plus promotions), or does it vary by applicant? That is, if I felt I could shore up specific points in my candidacy, I would focus on those, rather than gathering letters. Thanks! A: It is different for every applicant. If you feel you have issues to address from your application. I would certainly do that. I also think it is more helpful to learn about work promotions and projects added than multiple recommendations. Q: Do you want to hear about courses being taken while in progress? Or only have the course is completed and we have grades for the course? A: Yes, please share classes you are in the process of taking. Q: A follow- up to my question, are there specific courses that would count more than others? For example, business related courses, math courses etc? A: We are always interested in Calculus, Micro Economics, Financial Accounting
Q: Although this wouldn't be the preferred route, but if R2 waitlisted candidates are ultimately unsuccessful do you keep a record of their application and updates for next year if they decide to re- apply? A: We always encourage people who are not admitted to re- apply next year. Re- applicants typically have a higher acceptance rate compared to non re- applicants. In this case, we can go back and look at your previous file. However, this is typically only done for record purposes. Q:I have read somewhere that you use a scoring system for a list of attributes you look for in candidates. Is it correct to assume some sort of evaluation is already existentce? Hence, would it be better if our updates will focus on what we think are our weaker attributes? A: Yes, please use your updates to address any of your perceived weaknesses Q: Do you prefer a page limit or a word limit for 3 to 5 updates? A: The shorter the better :- ) Q: I would like to clarify this. You said above that you accepted 25 students for round 2 of this year. Is this true? Or did you mean that 25 students from the round 2 wait list of last year were accepted? If previous is true, then how many students were accepted for round 1 of this year? If latter is true, how many students from last year's round 1 wait list were accepted? A: 27 students from round 1 of this year were admitted on Tuesday. We do not take people from previous years. Q: Are the updates we discussed with our interviewer included in our file if they weren't in the original application? A: The updates should be included. Q: Is being on the younger end of the age spectrum factored in as a disadvantage? A: Age is not a factor in our decision. Q: During the school visit, is it possible to have a chat with a member of the adcom about my application?
A: We do not schedule one on one meetings. However, please feel free to stop by and see if someone is available to speak with you! Q: Were the WLs from R1 rejected too on Tuesday, or will rejects be sent collectively after review with candidates from R2 WL? A: Yes, some applicants who were waitlisted after R1 found out on Tuesday that they were taken off the waitlist.