ANY unique advice for getting off of wait list to dream school

Transfer Students
1

I am wait listed at my top and only transfer school I applied to. I was actually incredibly happy about this because this means there is still a chance and I was not flat out rejected.

I am willing to do anything to get in and I need help on what else I can do that is socially acceptable.

So far I have accepted a spot on the wait list immediately. I have also drafted a very thorough letter about the summer internship I got, volunteering I have done for COVID, and how badly I want to go to this school. I have done everything I could think of in this letter to stick out (connected all of my ECs and internship to what I want to study at this school, listed the courses I want to take next year). Please tell me if there is anything else I can put in this letter before I send it.

I cannot think of any other way to stand out. My professors don’t know me well this semester because of corona (none of my classes meet on zoom, it’s solely reading textbooks and taking tests with no meeting times). I used my professors from last semester for recs already, so I don’t have many options for a follow up letter of rec.

I have thought about doing something really crazy like making a drawing or short film about why I want to go and sending it, since I am going into a creative major. I don’t know if this is inappropriate and too over the top, but again, I cannot think of any other way to stand out that is not generic like a letter. Would it reflect badly off me if I did something like this? If it helps I am applying to a small LAC.

I have also thought about calling them, but I do not know if this is too much and I am not the greatest at talking to people over the phone and am scared I would mess my chances up even more.

Please give me any other pieces of advice, I am willing to try anything as long as I don’t come off badly. Also does anyone know if more transfer students are likely to decline because of COVID and possible cancellations next fall?

Lastly, I am aware that I am probably too hopeful, but I don’t really care and I want to give this all I have got. If all else fails I still have two more chances to apply and I will continue to do everything I can to get accepted over the next year.

2

Are you full-pay or do you need fin aid?

3

I can say that making and sending something won’t help if you’re on the waitlist. I know from experience that colleges only ask for specific bits of info to consider students on the waitlist, but usually those are transcripts and test results and not creative works or letters.

4

A phone call asking about the status of their waitlist is entirely appropriate. Make sure you give your name. Ask if they have closed the waitlist or if it is still active. If active, ask if there is anything else they need from you, and express your enthusiasm for the school. Thank the person for their time. That’s the entire script right there.

If you are “not the greatest at talking to people over the phone”, now is the time to face that fear. It is a useful skill and will demonstrate sincere interest and poise to admissions. Sending a short film is too gimmicky at this stage (although it is fine if the college has asked for one). A drawing is nice, but it needs to be accompanied by a note (which you already sent) and risks being forgotten in an in-box.

I think you have done everything you can except to make the phone call. Good luck!