Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business will release its November Round decisions this Friday, February 6th. Congratulations to all who are admitted that day. Tuck’s close-knit community and small class size make its program the perfect fit for certain students, and the charm of small-town Hanover can’t be overemphasized.
For those who instead are placed on the waitlist, Karen Marks, Tuck associate director of admissions, sought to answer some of the most frequently asked questions you may have in a recent post to the Tuck Admissions blog. Here’s what she had to say:
Why are candidates placed on the waitlist? The reasons vary, according to Marks. “Sometimes we need more information about an applicant, but see many positive qualities and are interested enough to seek additional data. Sometimes we have questions about English or quantitative proficiency, so we will encourage the candidate to retake their GMAT or Toefl or to complete additional coursework. In other cases there are no particular areas of concern but we are unable to offer admission at that point in our cycle.”
So, how do you know which category you fall into? Good news, said Marks. In keeping with the school’s admissions philosophy, the Tuck admissions staff will actually give you some guidance on how you can strengthen your candidacy if you want it. Candidates who opt to stay on the waitlist rather than withdrawing will be contacted individually by an admissions officer who will be available to discuss your application.
This is a great time, advised Marks, to communicate that you are still very interested in Tuck and to talk about how you might improve your profile. That said, if they tell you that they have all the data they need and it’s just a matter of waiting to see how the class shapes up, believe them. In this instance, only submit additional information if there is a material change in your situation – if you get a promotion, a new job, international experience, etc.
In answer to the big question – how do you know if you have a reasonable chance of getting in off the waitlist – Marks apologetically explained that she can’t really help here. “Unfortunately there is no reliable way for us to help you assess your chances,” she said.
She did share that Tuck has historically admitted people from the waitlist every year. But how many students varies, as does what type of students. As mentioned earlier, a lot of it has to do with how the overall class shapes up and which pieces will help complete the puzzle.
As for timing, waitlisted applicants who do get admitted often do not hear until later in the cycle, usually not until the spring. Good luck with the waiting! | 
