Oversubscribed

Describing something that has received more applications, requests, or subscriptions than there are available. It indicates that the demand for a resource, product, or opportunity exceeds its supply. This situation typically leads to competitive processes like lotteries, allocation systems, or waiting lists to determine who will receive the limited resource. It often applies to financial offerings (IPOs), educational programs, or events with limited capacity, signaling strong interest and potentially high value or desirability.

Oversubscribed meaning with examples

• The university's prestigious MBA program was heavily oversubscribed, with thousands of applications received for a few hundred places. This necessitated a rigorous selection process involving interviews and standardized tests. Consequently, only the highest achieving candidates were accepted. This clearly shows the program's reputation and appeal among prospective students. The school maintains a high standard through this application process.
• When the new limited-edition sneakers were released, the online store's servers crashed due to the oversubscribed demand from eager buyers. Resellers took advantage of the situation. Many people were disappointed. The few successful purchasers immediately put the shoes on resale sites at inflated prices. The launch illustrated the power of hype.
• The initial public offering (IPO) of the tech company was massively oversubscribed, indicating significant investor confidence in its future prospects. The company's share price soared on the first day of trading. Many investors had requested allocations of shares, knowing the high level of interest. Ultimately only a fraction got shares. This was a big success.
• The charity gala’s tickets were oversubscribed, forcing the organizers to implement a lottery system to manage attendance. While many supporters were disappointed, the fundraising event was poised to raise a considerable amount of money. The high demand highlighted the charity's positive impact. The charity could not accommodate all those that wanted to participate.
• The introductory coding workshop, hosted at the library, was oversubscribed, demonstrating a growing interest in technology education within the community. Organizers offered more sessions to accommodate. The demand prompted plans for additional workshops. The library's initiative addressed a community need. It was open to all.