<p>This is mostly for my old friends from the ED days back in November, since I don't really know this new crowd of RDers. Of course, the new kids are welcome to chime in- maybe I'll get to know them a little better that way :).</p>
<p>So...the update:</p>
<p>Things aren't going as well as they might. I got waitlisted at Brandeis today. I thought I had Brandeis in the bag- the interview went incredibly well, and I felt pretty good about it. This came as a pretty big slap in the face.</p>
<p>I've gotten good news from the last two schools on my list- Wellesley and the University of Maine. While I realize that Wellesley is a wonderful school, I can't seem to get past the fact that I won't be having classes and things with guys. Many of my best friends are guys, and I love having them around. I'm just not sure I could handle Wellesley in that respect. The University of Maine Honors College has offered me a full scholarship. Again, I realize that this is a great offer, but I just don't know how I'd fit in. The atmosphere there isn't what I was looking for.</p>
<p>I'm still waiting to hear from Middlebury (which has pretty much been crossed off my list- too far away), Tufts, and Harvard. I've all but given up on the last two. </p>
<p>Right now I just don't feel like I have very many options, and none of the ones I have seem very appealing. I'm not quite sure what to do.</p>
<p>I just wanted to update you all, and see if you had any advice or input.</p>
<p>Hope everything is going well for all of you,
Elizabeth</p>
<p>Elizabeth - one of my best friends (who is currently a senior applying to colleges) also got waitlisted at Brandeis. This time of year can definitely feel very frustrating during college admissions, especially now that March is beginning to wind down and you're only a couple of weeks away from finding out the rest of your apps. Wellesley and UMaine Honors are both good schools, but I understand your concerns. Have you visited either campus? Sometimes schools that don't seem to be a good fit begin to sound better and better when you find out more about them. Also, don't give up on the schools you haven't heard from! College admissions really is a crapshoot and you never know what can happen. Don't use your outcome at one school as a measure of your chances at other schools. Good luck, I am sure everything will turn out OK.</p>
<p>Oh Elizabeth! Go visit, and don't get down yet! Re-express interest in Brandeis, be sure they know they are number 1. Why do you think Middlebury is too far? Distances are much larger down here, that seems like it is less than 5 hours? We are with you, it will be OK.</p>
<p>Keep Middlebury in mind, its really not that far at all. I visited a bunch of times while I was at Dartmouth. It will offer a lot of what Dartmouth offers, and I really think its a place to get excited about. You can always transfer to Dartmouth later, like I did : )</p>
<p>I think it would be the best place of your options if you get in. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>Hey Liz, remember me? We chatted a bit over AIM around ED time. </p>
<p>Anywho, Keep your head up, buddy! You've got to remember that not only have you been accepted into the best all girls college in the nation, a college liked you so much (Maine) that they wanted to PAY for you to go there. That HAS to feel good, right? :)</p>
<p>P.S.
I have stayed away from this board since being deferred ED, but I had to come back to wish you luck.</p>
<p>Good luck with everything, Elizabeth! I second Slipper's advice. Even though it's a little bit smaller than Dartmouth, it has the same outdoorsy, natural, close feel.</p>
<p>Elizabeth-
Congrats on your acceptances. You will not recognize my name, but as a parent of a d who was also rejected ED, I often read your posts and agreed with many that Dartmouth lost out on a very faithful, bright young woman the day they rejected you. That initial rejection was tough, but also grounded my d- she responded by appying to a much wider range of schools and still awaits word on her future. It sounds cliche, but hopefully all will work out for the best. I wish you success and happiness, whatever path you choose. I personally am bracing myself for the second round of rejections as I prepare to soothe my d. I truly wish that the situation was not so competitive and that an applicant could just apply to the one school that they honestly loved. My d ended up applying to 14 schools in total
after her initial rejection. The whole process needs to be revamped. The biggest slap in the face is the "waitlisted" student. "We think you're great, but only if we don't get our first tier student who will likely attend another college- share the love."</p>
<p>Elizabeth I would reconsider Middlebury. A former latin student from our school comes back periodically and he gives lectures on what he's learned basically. He's learned an incredible amount, honestly his knowledge is incredible, and he says the best things about his professors and what not. It is far indeed, but the education has made it worth it for him. And since you're in Maine, it's certainly not that far away. This guy was from Georgia!</p>
<p>He also said it was about 2 hours from Dartmouth, so again I don't think it's THAT far away.</p>
<p>Good luck in your search. Wellesley seems like a great school too.</p>
<p>I think in the end the best thing you can do is to just spend a few days at these schools before you make your final decision.</p>
<p>hey elizabeth, i know i'm definitely more of an RDer, but I concur with neobez. my favorite, amazing English teacher is a Middlebury grad.</p>
<p>Don't lose faith! Don't stop hoping! You may be in for a pleasant surprise. some people I would NEVER have expected to get into some extremely selective colleges are sending out their deposits soon. Just remember that it's arbitrary - you could go either way!</p>
<p>Hi Elizabeth:
Maybe Brandeis was "protecting its yield" a la Wash U and is assuming it is a safety school on your list. And haven't I also heard about a "Tufts Syndrome" where they too often do not get the yield they seek and feel like they are often the second-choice of many? (Since financial aide offices see your FAFSA college lists, I always wonder if one's lists are kept confidential on every campus.)
I see a couple options. Consider Middlebury as a great admit if you get in. (It is a great admit. Rejoice and be glad..it isn't Dartmouth but it can be fabulous.) Be the leader and pace-setter that U of Maine wants you to be and be that kid every teacher loves to teach there. Consider going to Wellesley and do your absolute best to give your all to your new friends and teachers. Even if you transfer, you may maintain friends and there may be a teacher who will write a reference. If after six months you really want out, quietly prepare a transfer application, knowing a transfer from prestigious Wellesley might be a plus. (It is tough to tell roomies and classmates you want another lifestyle, and hope to transfer out...so show discretion and don't complain about Wellesley while living there.) </p>
<p>Or if you feel a real affinity for Brandeis as your four-year home, write, call and/or make an appointment. Now. Send in those last minute honors and distinctions. Open each letter with "If admitted from the waitlist, I would send in a deposit and enroll in Brandeis." Consider being frank with your adcoms there about your Dartmouth rejection (Thousands of people will get Dartmouth rejections this year, and they won't hold it against you that Dartmouth was a "First Choice". Perfectly understandable and common.) Don't leave them guessing if they are truly where you would feel most at home. Give them the facts. You are a person who they should invest in.</p>
<p>And most of all good luck and hope something delightful opens for you.</p>
<p>I felt so bad about what happened to you ED, especially since (at the time) we had near identical stats. Don't feel too bad about Brandeis. Same thing happened to me on Friday for Wash U. </p>
<p>Congratulations on Wellesley. Girls only or not, it's an amazing school. And yeah, check out Middlebury. </p>
<p>You and I both have padded offers from good old State U. And we can always transfer. :)</p>
<p>Sorry to hear about Brandeis. If Brandeis is truly where you want to go, put an action plan i place that will move you from waitlist to admit. It seems to be a funny year for admissions all around and part of it I think is from the sheer number of people who are applying. Remember that you don't have to commit 4 years to any one place. So if you need to look at in terms of being someplace your first term, do well then transfer. </p>
<p>Wellesley is an amazing school and the great thing about Wellesley, is that you can still take classes at Dartmouth(wouldn't be great to spend part of the year with the 09's). You've got plenty of friends on this board, so hanging with them or having them hang with you is not going to be a big deal.</p>
<p>Keep an open mind about everything because I think there is stillmore good news to come. Besides, it is not over until the last decision is made. Keep your head up.</p>
<p>Speaking in general, perhaps you did not show much real "interest" in Brandeis, for instance, did you visit, register for and attend an admissions session? Some schools will use the waitlist as a way of saving a spot for folks they consider too good or too likely to get in elsewhere....</p>
<p>Two years ago, my good friend's son was admitted at Stanford and waitlisted at Emory... he was a legacy at Emory.... but he had not ever visited Emory and he heard from Emory first so he was worried about his other schools.....this was for college class of 2007.....when the Stanford acceptance came in he was all set......</p>
<p>Middlebury is a great school.....many of my adult friends are Midd graduates and they are all really nice, smart, hard working, play hard too..... and you can get there in 5 hrs from Portland....been there...done that... in fact, I made it to Burlington in 4 hrs last wk..... might even be easier to get to than Brandeis due to less traffic?? depending upon where in Maine you are.... hang in there..... you will know soon what your choices are... and a full ride to UMO is GREAT by the way..... as we pay the monthly tuition bill for an IVY choke choke choke......</p>
<p>I'm sorry, fiesta_pagana. It's no more fun to not be able to go to a school because of finances than it is to not be able to go because you didn't get in. That said, if they didn't give you adequate money, they probably wouldn't have given me enough either. I hope the rest of your schools come through with great aid packages and scholarships. Good Luck.</p>
<p>Everyone- Thanks for the encouragement. I'm expecting to get the final decision from Wellesley in the next few days, and thanks to some research (and some encouragement from FountainSiren/Emily :)) it seems like I might do well there. We'll see what comes in the mail over the next week or so...I'll keep you all updated as the decisions come in.</p>