<p>Has there been any movement? The Duke boards report some people coming off the wati list already.</p>
<p>I thought Yale didn't take kids off the waitlist.</p>
<p>So what's the point of having a wait list, then?</p>
<p>depends on how the actual yield compares to the predicted yield.</p>
<p>how big is the wait list?</p>
<p>they hold those numbers very close to their chests...let's just say it's LARGE.</p>
<p>in the letter they said something like 700</p>
<p>...no they didn't...</p>
<p>I am writing to inform you that the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid cannot at this time make a final decision on your application for a place in next year's entering class. However, because of your outstanding achievements and promise, the Committee has voted to place your name on a waiting list of men and women for whom we hope places may become available later.</p>
<p>This year nearly twenty-three thousand students applied for admission to the entering class. There were many more candidates of unusual ability and promise than we were able to admit. Of those strong applicants, the Committee has selected a group -- representing a small percentage of all our candidates and presenting qualifications which might well have led to admission in other years -- to comprise a waiting list. The waiting list is not ranked. If spaces become available, the Committee will reconvene to reconsider all those candidates on the waiting list. Usually about two-thirds of the students offered places on the waiting list choose to remain active candidates.</p>
<p>The number of students to be admitted from our waiting list will depend entirely on the number of students who decline our offer of admission. That number has varied greatly from year to year. In some recent years, we have admitted over one hundred candidates. In other years, it has not been possible to admit anyone from the waiting list.
We recognize that you must make plans at another college while you await our final decision. Please be assured that all colleges will understand your situation and that we will proceed as quickly as possible to reach a decision. Normally, most waiting list decisions are made by the end of May and all are completed by June thirtieth. To help expedite this process, please return the enclosed postcard as soon as you can.</p>
<p>We hope you will decide to remain a candidate. Over the years, some of our very best students have been admitted from our waiting list.</p>
<p>Again, please accept our congratulations on your outstanding achievements. Whatever your decision may be, you have our best wishes for every future success.</p>
<p>Sincerely,
William R. Fitzsimmons
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid</p>
<p>haha oops wrong forum - that's the harvard letter. sorry, all.</p>