Gaining entrance to one of the best undergraduate business schools in the nation is no cake walk. One hundred and forty students had their dreams to become future investment bankers, market analysts or other big-time players on Wall Street put on hold last month when the Commerce School sent e-mails informing them of their admission deferment. In the past, the Commerce School has allowed these applicants to submit additional essays and spring semester grades for the second round of review. This year, the school has instituted a more personal process by also offering students the option of undergoing interviews with two Commerce School alumni. By interviewing the deferred students, officials hope to have a more comprehensive view of the applicants before offering these students admission.
With an application pool of 468 students for the incoming class, competition was stiff and "applicants presented remarkably strong credentials with an average GPA of 3.46," according to the Commerce School's Undergraduate Admission Process March 2010 Update. Of these 468 students, 215 were offered admission during the first round, 113 were rejected and the remaining 140 saw their applications deferred to the second round.
Deferred students have more than just a slim chance of being admitted. Commerce School Dean Carl Zeithaml, in an e-mail, emphasized that these students are not placed on waitlists, but rather "deferred until the Admissions Committee has more information on the applicants." Students are not ranked in any order - as is the case with many waitlists - and are granted the opportunity to provide any additional information that potentially would strengthen their applications. This year, as mentioned previously, this opportunity will extend beyond paper essays and transcripts.
A 20-minute, optional interview conducted by Commerce School alumni will be offered to these deferred students, allowing admission advisers to determine which students fit best in the program. This method has been used in the past. "About 8-10 years ago when we had a very competitive pool, we interviewed the deferred candidates," according to an e-mail from Rebecca Leonard, associate dean for student services.
These interviews, however, should not be restricted to deferred students. Admittedly, it would be somewhat difficult to afford this opportunity to each applicant. Moreover, it is doubtful the Commerce School, as one of the top undergraduate business schools in the nation, will see its applicant pool shrink during the next few years. Given the resources at the school's disposal, though, officials should employ every method possible to ensure they are admitting students who have more than just stellar GPAs.
The process may become more time-consuming, but interviewing students during the first round of review would better ensure the incoming class is comprised of individuals with attributes necessary for success in the business world. Those most prosperous in business are not just experts at analyzing supply curves and solving equations but those who have honed interpersonal skills, as such interaction is vital to establishing professional relationships.
Though the system seems to be operating smoothly as is, the Commerce School should look to extend interviews to all applicants during the competitive years to come. Admitted students surely have the academic qualifications, but as Gordon Gekko - investing aficionado in the movie "Wall Street" - said, "The real question is whether you got what it takes to stay"
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