No You Can’t, aka Dinged by Wharton

Dear ahembeea,

Thank you for your application to the Wharton MBA program. I regret that the Admissions Committee is unable to offer you a position in the Wharton MBA Class of 2011.

As you may be aware, the Wharton MBA program receives as many as 7,000 applications annually. In a pool where virtually every candidate offers significant work experience or potential, demonstrates leadership ability, and submits persuasive recommendations, the Committee’s job of selecting the entering class is extremely difficult. We are left with the unpleasant task of denying admission to many fine individuals who would, no doubt, succeed academically at the School and contribute to Wharton’s standard of excellence.

Let me assure you that your application received a thorough review by several members of the Committee. As a policy, we do not pre-screen applications, but give each candidate full consideration. The fact that you did not receive an invitation to interview or offer of admission in no way reflects your intellectual abilities, personal achievements, or potential for a successful career.

The Admissions Office will keep your application on file for two years. If you plan to re-apply within the next two years and would like feedback on your application, please email us at mbafeedback@wharton.upenn.edu with your application login PIN and the words Schedule Feedback in the subject header. The number of feedback sessions we are able to provide is limited. Appointments will be offered, at random, only to those who have submitted requests to mbafeedback@wharton.upenn.edu by Thursday, 30 April 2009.

If you are selected to receive feedback, you will be notified via email by Monday, 18 May 2009. Instructions on how to schedule a session will be provided at that time.

For instructions on the re-application process, please follow the procedures that will be included in next year’s application (available online in August 2009). All reapplications will be reviewed within the context of the overall applicant pool at that time.

Thank you again for your interest in Wharton. I wish you success in your graduate studies, as well as in your personal and career endeavors.

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This reassures me that ours is a balanced world. Its befitting that Obama’s victory is balanced by my ding from Wharton in the same month.

Some tips for future Wharton applicants -

• Be careful if you are also blogging. The track record of applicants who blog isn’t good.
• Don’t go by the numbers. Do a profile check to see whether the current batch has at least one guy with a similar background/work profile/same UG institution as yours.
• When in doubt, be conservative. You are not going to get your 200$ back.
• Don’t apply if you feel that your GMAT is the strongest point about your application to Wharton.
• Don’t get lured by the s2s and Wharton adcom blogs. Assess your chances again. And again.
• Follow this blog to see what happens to ppl who get dinged by Wharton.