For those candidates currently on the waitlist, we have heard from a few of you, looking for guidance or information. We have already emailed all waitlisted candidates the information below, but wanted to post our guidance on the blog, as well.
While we can appreciate how challenging it can be to be waitlisted, please keep in mind that being waitlisted should serve as an affirmation of your accomplishment and achievement in a competitive applicant pool! We thank you for your interest, and ask that you please adhere to our waitlist policies.
At Wharton, there is no need to:
- spend countless hours developing creative ways to keep in touch and “win us over.”
- expend additional time and resources submitting additional recommendations and other materials. These are unlikely to change your eventual decision, which is made across multiple criteria.
- or fear that those who lobby lavishly and loudest will receive preference.
All waitlist candidates are given equal consideration – equity and fairness rule the day.
So what are Wharton’s waitlist policies again? Here is a copy of the email that was sent to all Round 1 waitlist candidates (please note that the dates will change following our Round 2 decision release):
Dear Waitlist Candidate:>>
As a waitlist candidate, you may have some questions about the admissions process going forward. Below is some information about waitlist procedures that will be helpful to you: We will retain your name on the waitlist for consideration at the end of the next round unless you request your application be withdrawn. If you would like to withdraw, please e-mail mba.admissions at wharton.upenn.edu, using the subject header: “Waitlist Remove.” >>
All waitlist candidates who do not ask to be removed from the list will be reconsidered for admission in Round 3 and notified of the Admissions Committee decision by 5pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) of the Round 3 decision release date of Thursday, May 14, 2009. >>
Decisions include: admit waitlist, waitlist continue, and deny waitlist. In the spirit of fairness and equity, we will not accept additional materials for inclusion in your application. In this same spirit, we do not offer another interview. >>
There is no point person in the office for the waitlist. All waitlist decisions are handled by the Admissions Committee.>>
Feedback to candidates is not offered to candidates while they are on the waitlist.
There is no rank order to the waitlist.
The chances of being admitted off the waitlist are not predictable since much depends on the strength of the pool in subsequent rounds. Historically, the admit rate has varied from year to year and has very little correlation with the number of candidates placed on the waitlist.
Thank you in advance for honoring these guidelines.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in the Wharton School. | 
