Vanderbilt --- First Unanticipated Ding

I received a sweet email in my inbox today.

Dear XXX,

Thank you for your interest in Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management. Your application was thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions Committee, and a decision was made based on the relative strength and quality of your credentials in comparison to this year's applicant pool.

We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you a place in the Class of 2011.

This year's admissions process has been very competitive because the overall quality of candidates has been very strong. As a result, we have had to deny many well-qualified candidates who may have been admissible in the past.

There are many factors that the Admissions Committee considers in the selection process. Academic ability is evaluated by examining not only GPA and GMAT scores, but also the caliber of any colleges or universities attended, difficulty of academic major, performance in quantitative courses, and contribution to academic diversity. Professional experience is assessed by examining the duration and quality of meaningful work experience, individual responsibilities and accomplishments, career advancement, career goals, and potential for leadership and management success. Finally, through the personal interview, essays and recommendations, we evaluate each candidate's personal qualities, such as communication skills, team skills, interpersonal skills, leadership potential, cultural diversity, global perspective, and overall fit with the Vanderbilt MBA community.

We appreciate the time and effort you have taken to learn more about the Vanderbilt MBA program and prepare your application materials. We will hold your application for two years, should you wish to strengthen your credentials and reapply for a future class; however, we will not be able to reconsider your application for admission to this year's incoming class. We hope this decision does not discourage you from pursuing your graduate management education. We enjoyed getting to know you, and wish you continued success in your academic, professional and personal pursuits!

Best wishes,