Imagine this scenario: you have submitted your MBA applications but have yet to hear about an interview and/or final decision. In the interim, you learn that you have been promoted. Or the very large deal that you have been working on has just closed. Or you finally reached that milestone that you have been striving for in one of your extracurricular activities.
The following question suddenly springs to mind – should you update Admissions Committees with this new information that is not reflected in your submitted applications?
This situation plays out every single year during the MBA admissions cycle – so what should you do? In our view, it’s better to sit tight; our reasons for that are below.
You indicate that you are respectful of the schools’ policies
A deadline is a deadline for a reason. If business schools allowed updates from candidates after deadlines, applicants would not take those deadlines seriously. Moreover, Admissions Committees would be inundated with updates from candidates constantly, making it very difficult for them to actually do their job – i.e. evaluating applications in a timely fashion. By adhering to application deadlines, you are indicating to the MBA programs that you are respectful of their policies.
You show that you are not seeking an unfair advantage over other candidates
The optics of submitting an update after a deadline are important to keep in mind. While you may feel that you are doing everything that you possibly can to make sure that all of your bases are covered, the Admissions Committee may perceive your actions differently. For instance, they make think that you are providing them with an update to get to the top of the applicant pile or that you are looking for extra attention. This in turn may cause Admissions Committees to believe that you are trying to get an unfair advantage over other applicants.
You convey that you understand that new updates won’t move the needle
At the end of the day, an update, regardless of how significant or important you make think it is, won’t really move the needle. You have put your best foot forward in your applications already – be rest assured that is enough information for Admissions Committees to assess your candidacy and make a decision! Instead of stressing that there is an essential piece of new information that is missing in your application file, use that time productively towards other endeavors, such as preparing for interviews.
With the above being said, there are a couple of times when it is appropriate to provide an update: 1) during an interview, and 2) if you are waitlisted. If you are invited to interview, you can let your interviewer know of your update, and at that point, they can make a note of it. Additionally, if you are waitlisted at a business school, and their policies allow updates, you can plan to inform the school.
In short, be confident of the materials that you have already submitted!
About Ivy Groupe:
Ivy Groupe is a boutique MBA admissions consulting company founded by Shaifali Aggarwal, who has been recognized as a top MBA admissions consultant by Business Insider and Poets & Quants. She received her MBA from Harvard Business School and undergraduate degree from Princeton University. Shaifali’s philosophy focuses on authenticity and storytelling to help clients craft compelling and differentiated applications that stand out. With this approach, Shaifali’s clients have gained admission to top-tier MBA programs such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Columbia, Booth, Tuck, and Yale, among others.
Click on the links to learn more about our company and how you can work with us to maximize your chances of gaining admission to the MBA programs of your choice.
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