<p>Okay, so I just have a couple questions about the waitlist. The first, although this will probably be irrelevant, is do they still guarantee no loans and whatnot to those with incomes under $60,000 who are admitted off the waitlist? Or is it more like other schools where there's less financial aid available?</p>
<p>Second, what exactly is the "z-list"? I gathered that it means you're admitted for the next year, but I'm utterly failing to comprehend the point or how it works. Doesn't that just mean they'll have to admit fewer people who apply next year? I'm really confused about that and if someone could clarify that would be great.</p>
<p>Third, could someone please clarify the process for contacting your regional representative? I called the admissions office and they said that "significant" updates would be appreciated, but how do I ensure that they get sent to the right person? My school's guidance department is WAY overworked and generally unhelpful, but is this an instance where it could be worth it to try and get them involved? If you have nothing of great importance to tell them, is it still a huge mistake not to send a letter? </p>
<p>Yes, if you’re admitted off the waitlist, there will still be financial aid. Harvard’s admissions dean has made it clear that if you’re in, you’re a full member with all the usual rights and opportunities, regardless of whether you were the first or last person admitted.</p>
<p>Yes, definitely write, particularly to emphasize that H is your first choice and you’ll come if accepted. “Significant” is in the eye of the beholder, but I’d send in any good news that you think might help your case. </p>
<p>If you send a note to admissions, it will probably be routed to your regional representative in any event, but it’s nice to be able to address that person directly. Did you ask H admissions for contact info? If they won’t provide it, ask your guidance office, even if they’re busy. </p>
<p>The point of the Z-list is harder to pin down, but how it works is easy. You’re admitted contingent on taking a gap year, and you either accept the offer or not. Harvard has some suggestions about gap year possibilities on its website (H admissions dean Fitzimmons is an advocate of gap years), but basically it’s up to you what you do with the time. (The one thing you can’t do is to enroll at some other college.) Then come next Spring, H contacts you and asks you to verify if you’re still planning to come. If you say yes, you’re treated just like anyone else admitted to that class – invited to Visitas, etc…</p>
<p>And, yes, last year’s z-listers make for that many less spots in this year’s entering class.</p>
<p>@daem0n
Sigh. Not all of the z-list is legacies. Everyone thinks that, but it’s not /that/ egregious, or people would be much more up in arms. It’s for the sort of candidates who Harvard thinks would become qualified enough to attend if they spent another year having interesting experiences. (Which is sort of obnoxious, but I also sort of understand.) Yes, a bunch of those students are legacies, but I think it’s a bit less than half.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help! Now, I have an off-the-wall question. Would it be totally crazy to express interest in the z-list? Like, “if you think I need a year off to mature before I go to college, then please, I would still be interested”? Is there a way to say that delicately? Is it just a flat-out bad idea?</p>
<p>As the same number of Z list (and others who want a gap year anyway–like my son) are fairly constant, there is no reduction in number as this years gap years will replace last years and so on…There seems to be about 100 or so people who gap year each cycle. BTW one such gap yearer won a Marshall this year and a Zlister was the UCC president a couple of years ago … There have been wait list kids who are summas roughly in the same proportion as “regular” admits–no idea if there is a break down of Z vs. other gap kids in that data set.
BTW, Fitzsimmons and McGrath-Lewis are right my S had a great gap year-- he was fried after 5 A levels and would have wasted much of his first year had he gone straight into the College…now he is excited and ready to charge back…</p>
<p>While there are definitely more legacy/donor child Z-listers, there are also a few random ones – like this girl I know who completely didn’t want to take a gap year and was a big star in her year at Phillips Exeter (not legacy or donor, but her sister goes here). (She did take the offer and worked in VP Biden’s office, haha.) It can be a little bit random.</p>
<p>I think Fransis- was also asking if it would be a crazy gesture to express interest in the z-list (if normal waitlist doesn’t work out) to Harvard. I was also wondering this as well…anyone has any opinions on that? :)</p>
<p>The one possible cost of volunteering for the z-list is that H admissions might route you to the gap year instead of taking you for the current year. But, if you volunteer they might choose you for z-list over a similarly-qualified candidate because they know you’ll say yes. </p>
<p>So, you might slightly increase your chance of getting into H but make it a little less likely that you’ll be admitted for the current year. It comes down to which long-shot you’d rather bet on.</p>
<p>Harvard denies that z-list is a legacy/donor program. I suspect that z-listers typically have a hook, but the hook may vary. The one z-lister that I know in the class of 2015 isn’t a legacy or a development admit, but, like many students who were waitlisted or rejected, is well within H’s range in terms of grades and test scores. He had a coach lobbying for him, which might have made the difference.</p>
<p>Haha, same questions here about the waitlist, so thanks all! :)</p>
<p>I don’t know what constitutes significant updates, but I feel like proving that I’ve still done quite a bit since Dec will help. I’m going to try and call the admin office Mon. and see what they say. </p>
<p>Should I send my letter directly to the admissions office, or the my rep, or both?</p>
<p>Right now, my letter has a PS that I’d basically be OK with the z-list, but it’s only a draft. It talks about what I’ve done and what I’d do at H. It also reveals a bit of my personality I think, so it might help. Who knows.</p>