Demystifying the Interview Invitation Process

In case you didn't read the comments to my last blog post, a reader ("Ross Hopeful") decried our interview process because of the 3-week wait between invitations going out. S/he commented that this wait "take(s) a toll not only on our psyche, but also on our work and to some extent our family."

I completely understand that feeling. I've been through many an application process myself, and that was back in the day when applicants were given no clue as to when an interview invitation would come, if at all. And the only other communication applicants received from the school was either a thick envelope or a thin envelope, depending on the admissions decision. So for months (not just 3 weeks), I lived in limbo until I got the interview invitations. It was tough, but I did my best to focus on the present and try to manage my anxiety. It's a useful skill to develop as you'll need to leverage it for so many other things in life.

As I explained in my response, one of the main goals for our interview process (which is in its second year running), was to minimize the anxiety by targeting two dates on which to release invitations. Previously, our process was similar that of some other schools whereby we released invitations on a rolling basis starting a couple weeks after the app deadline right up until the decision notification date in mid-January. So applicants had an extended period of stress and waiting - over two months, in some cases. We thought that this new process would be less stressful, and, allow us to make better decisions on whom to invite. We received very positive feedback from applicants on this process last year. They were glad to know that they didn't have to check their emails every day to see if an invitation would come through.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, when you submitted your application has no bearing on when you might get an interview invite. Similarly, your GMAT score is not a driver of when you might get an invite, nor is your location.

Waiting is never easy, whether it's for admission to b-school, a job offer, funding for a new venture, or the results of a health exam. Many things take time, so the people on the other end make well-informed decisions. It is very important to us not to rush through your applications. We know that you've poured a lot of your heart and soul into them and we want to handle them with care.

Comments

[AV]

Hi Soojin

I definitely agree with you. I am a Fall 2012 applicant, and I am yet to receive my interview call. However, I am not anxious because as an applicant i know that the next wave of interviews invites are just a couple of weeks away.

This is way better than sitting with my fingers crossed for months together. Hope Ross handles my application with care and favorably too...lol :)

[Jen]

Hi Soojin,

I agree with you as well. Providing the dates up front certainly eliminated some anxiety.

I think some confusion was created in some of the MBA forums on the first release date. A few applicants reported that they called the Admissions Office and were told that invites would "trickle out" starting in November. I'm not sure if those who called misinterpreted or if the person answering the phone was unclear on the process.

It might ease anxiety further if the admissions office sent an email to all applicants explaining the process. I think a lot of applicants were hesitant to rely solely on your blog post.

I hope that is constructive. Thank you for providing this additional post to clarify further.

[Neo]

I agree with you. I have got an interview call while I am still awaiting response from other schools.

However, I think because we as applicants know the interview release dates, the anxiety can be managed and an applicant knows that he has to just check his mail only on those days few days.

I appreciate the fact that you personally make sure to connect with candidates who have spent so much money and time in applying to Ross.

Kudos to Ross!!

[Soojin]

@Jen: I've talked with my team about ensuring that our receptionist knows and is clear about the interview invitation and other important dates. Thanks for your feedback.