McKinsey Rejection Email

Question

Hi, it’s not my first time posting and people were so nice in the comments, so I just wanted to thank you all beforehand!

Context:

- Applied to McKinsey for FTE BA on the 29th of March (just a day or two after, I got invited for the Solve)

- Did the Solve on a Sunday, 5th of April (the UI was kinda confusing and at the Red Rock to select the graph I thought it would pre-visualize, so I contacted the technical support and they said to restart the browser and ultimately reset the test when that couldn’t be fixed. Then, I saw I could click Next and go back to select another graph)

- I feel like I performed well in the Solve, even though I ran fast through Red Rock the 2nd time because it was the same test

- I waited and waited, 3 weeks and a half of radio silence, then I checked the portal (last week, Wednesday) and saw my application was Closed and on the Previous Applications section

- I should have but didn’t clarify my technical problem, which ended up being partially my fault, with the recruiter

- It’s been a week since then and haven’t gotten a rejection email (first option was in Europe, 2nd and 3rd in the ME but due to the geopolitical conflicts don’t know if the rejection didn’t came through the e-mail because of that)

Should I adddress the issue and the no rejection e-mail to my office recruitment email? Or should I just mention why I didn’t get the rejection email or what does Closed mean with no rejection mail?

Answer 1

Hi,

honestly “Closed” on the portal usually means a rejection, but it is a bit strange that you haven’t received any formal update yet (have you checked your spam folder by any chance?).

I probably wouldn’t reach out just to ask why you didn’t receive the rejection email. However, it’s reasonable to send a short and professional note to recruiting asking for a status update.

I also would not emphasize the technical issue at this stage. Since support reset the test and allowed you to continue, bringing it up now could come across as defensive.

Hope it helps and good luck
Franco

Answer 2

Sorry you're in this spot. "Closed" with no email is almost always a rejection. The email just lags behind the portal sometimes, especially with the disruptions affecting ME offices right now.

On the Solve technical issue, I know it's tempting to raise it but honestly, it won't change the outcome at this stage. The system scores you even after a restart, and reaching out about it 4 to 5 weeks later usually reads as defensive to recruiters.

What I'd do is send one short polite email to your recruiter asking for formal confirmation of the status and any feedback that might help for future applications. Keep it professional and forward-looking. That's actually useful, both for closure now and for when you reapply down the line.

In the meantime, keep your other pipelines moving. Apply to BCG, Bain, OW, Strategy&, and Tier 2 firms in parallel. McKinsey is one firm and one cycle, not the whole game.

Good luck, and don't let this one outcome stall you.

Answer 3

hey there!

A closed status on the portal almost always means a rejection, even if the email hasn’t arrived yet. Sometimes the email is delayed, gets filtered, or simply never gets sent, especially when multiple offices are involved. It has nothing to do with geopolitical issues. You don’t need to explain the technical problem at this point, and reaching out won’t change the decision. If you want clarity, you can send a short, polite note to the general recruiting inbox asking whether the process is officially concluded. Keep it simple and neutral.

Alessa

Answer 4

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear about this. It sounds frustrating.

Try following up one more time in a week from now or so.

If you don't get an answer, move on.

Even if you get an answer, it makes sense to use the time in between to develop other applications. It's best not to pin all your hopes on one.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 5

As highlighted by others, it is best to move on at this point of time. Given the huge funnel of candidates, rejection emails are at times sent in batches and might not always be sent. There is no point following up as the system says closed.

Good luck for other applications !

Answer 6

I hear you — that silent “Closed” status after weeks of waiting is frustrating, especially when you felt the Solve went well and had a technical hiccup.

Here’s the likely reality: “Closed” in the portal almost always means a rejection decision has been made, even if the email hasn’t reached you yet. The lack of an email could be a system delay, a server-side issue, or simply because your application was handled by a European office but your second/third choices were in the ME — those internal routing quirks sometimes cause notifications to get lost. It sucks, but it’s not personal.

On the technical problem: while it’s worth noting, contacting the recruiter now won’t reverse the decision. However, if you want closure or to signal professionalism for future attempts, send a very brief, polite email to the recruitment team. Don’t ask “why no email” — instead say something like: “I noticed my application status changed to Closed and I wanted to check if there was a technical issue during the Solve that may have impacted my results. I’d appreciate any insight you can share.” That shows maturity without sounding entitled. Most likely they’ll say nothing or send a standard rejection, but it leaves the door open for a future application.

All the best — you’ve learned a lot from this process, and that will serve you well down the road.

Answer 7

Hey there. You might be thinking too much into it. Just ping the HR recruiter for a status update - You are well within your rights and time window post interview to do so. good luck!