From the article: How to Get Off a Wait List
Were you waitlisted at one of your top choice colleges? If so, share with readers in how you handled this frustrating scenario. Do you have advice on how to get off the list? Or suggestions on what not to do? Share Your Experiences
My Experience
- I have been wait-listed at Davidson and I'm anxious to find out if I will be admitted. I will have to wait until the first week of May, but I just fear that I'll be stuck going to a school with terrible financial aid. I can't support myself financially without a generous package. I mean I have options, but my other options aren't as great as Davidson. I seriously hope and pray that Davidson answers my prayers and grants me my wish.
- —Guest Ashley S
Wait List hope...
- As a parent, I have had one son not taken off a waitlist and one who was successful. The one who did not was down to the last week and was told it was very possible (this was Vanderbilt law). He was notified on the first day of Orientation that they were not taking any of the final 7. Very frustrating at the time, but truly his ultimate school was the right one. My other son was waitlisted at an Ivy school for undergrad. We did go to his 2nd choice schools but in his heart that was not going to do it. In the meantime, his counselor had contacted admissions to tell of 1. new accomplishments, 2. his real "fit" for the school, and 3. the confirmation that he would indeed attend. One week later, he was accepted. We were shocked, but all turned out and they only took 8-9 off the list that year. Again, I guess I would advise anyone to be proactive, without being obnoxious and REALLY believe that admissions does their job well, and you will end up at the right place. Good luck!
- —Ivykids
Consult your counselor
- As a retired guidance director, I would tell any waitlisted student to bring the letter they received to their guidance counselor. The student and parent often do not read the "fine print" in that letter that spells out the details of the waitlisting. I would often suggest the counselor contact the admissions office to determine how many students were on the list and--more importantly--how students were to be admitted off that list. In many cases, colleges told me (or another counselor) that the wait list was going to be used to "round out" the freshman class. In other words, as admitted students accepted or declined admission, the college would look at their incoming class to determine what talents, student diversity, or athletic abilties were needed and admit students from the wait list who fulfilled those criteria. It is important for a student to know if this is how the list will be used. Clearly it is the more selective colleges who use their wait list in this way.
- —ASchell280
my daughter's experience
- My daughter was wait listed at one of the grad schools she applied to. At several people's urging, she contacted the university to try to find out where she stood on the wait list and if there was anything she could do to improve her chances, how much she wanted to attend their program and so forth. She got a prompt response back stating they don't divulge where you stand on the wait list and that there really is nothing a student can do to improve his or her chances. Guess it's just a waiting game.
- —Guest Carol
Long Suffering
- hello, I am from Maryland and I was waitlisted from Davidson College. The letter that Davidson sent me was very nice- they told me that many stong students like myself were waitlisted because of the "high number of applicants" this year. After I ACCEPTED my place on the waitlist, they sent me an email saying that I could send in my 3rd quarter grades if I wanted to. All in all, being waitlisted is a bitter-sweet experience; the diplomatic politeness of Davidson college eased my pain and I am remaining hopeful that they will offer me a place for the 2011-2012 school year.
- —Guest Devon
August!
- If you haven't been rejected, don't give up. I deposited, registered, and even wrote to my roommate at my second-choice school. In early August I learned that I got into my first choice! Frantic times, but everything worked out great.
- —Guest attorney-to-be
