Navigating the '24-25 Full Time MBA Waitlist

Receiving a waitlist decision can bring a mix of emotions like excitement, disappointment, exhaustion, or all of the above. While being on the waitlist is undoubtedly challenging, it’s important to stay optimistic. Remember, a waitlist offer reflects our continued interest in your candidacy. Each year, many students from the waitlist join our Full-Time MBA cohort, so this is far from the end of your journey.

Next Steps

First and foremost, be sure to accept the waitlist offer in Wolverine Access by the specified deadline in your admissions decision. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made, so don’t miss this crucial first step! Typically, within a week after the waitlist offer deadline, you'll receive an overview of the upcoming waitlist timeline. Decisions are made throughout the admissions cycle, and Round 1 and 2 waitlisted applicants will be reconsidered in subsequent rounds.

We will notify you of any status changes via Wolverine Access on the next decision notification date. If your status remains unchanged in the subsequent round, your application will be considered as space becomes available in the class. While most waitlist decisions occur in May, June, and July, some candidates may be admitted or denied as early as January.

You will be assigned a waitlist manager from the admissions committee to assist you throughout the process. Your waitlist manager will be your main point of contact and will play a significant role in the final decision for your candidacy. It’s important to share any significant changes since your application was submitted (e.g., job change, promotion, award, test score) immediately.

Waitlisted students usually fall into two situations: 

1. Interview Completed: If you’ve already interviewed, your next decision will be “admit” or “deny.”
2. Interview Pending: If you haven’t interviewed, you may be invited to do so in the subsequent rounds or receive a denial.

How to Improve Your Application

Unfortunately, we don’t offer any individualized feedback on your application decision, so the responsibility falls on you to do some self-reflection. Take some intentional time to review your application and consider areas that you could improve to strengthen it. If you’ve already completed an interview, reflect on that as well. 

• Could you improve your test score?
• Did you engage with the community before applying?
• Was your 'why MBA,' 'why now,' and 'why Ross' well articulated?
• Did you demonstrate readiness for the quantitative rigor of the MBA curriculum?
• How were your essays? Did they share impactful stories, or could you improve them?
• Are there more community service experiences you would like to add?

Other important actions to take while on the waitlist include staying engaged with the admissions committee via your waitlist manager and our student and alumni community. This is not only to learn more about what makes Ross a good fit for you but also to stay informed about any updates or events related to the Full-Time MBA Program.

Lastly, I strongly recommend reviewing our waitlist FAQs, watching the waitlist webinar, or reaching out to current students to hear firsthand how others successfully navigated this process.