<p>Rather than writing a simple letter of continued interest, could I do something more creative...? I was in the process of writing a "What's in an Acceptance" Shakespearean parody, is that just way to out there? It conveys my interest and specifics about why the school fulfills my every desire, but is it way too risky? Then again, I'm on the waitlist so is anything too risky at this point haha?</p>
<p>It's for Dartmouth if that makes a difference, I'm having trouble determining if Dartmouth is as into weird and over-the-top endeavors as UChicago seems to be... </p>
<p>Go check the stats for your waitlist school regarding number of applicants admitted from waitlist. I suspect that most elite schools take virtually no one from their wait list, no matter how long the official list is. Perhaps a few legacies belatedly slip in. Then go write your letter, post it, and embrace closure. Your letter likely won’t change your status.</p>
<p>Now there are “Tier 1.5” and “Tier 2” schools that do admit a number of students from their waitlist after May 1. A waitlisted student receives a call, and series of quick negotiations occur regarding financial aid, and student is expected to make a decision and commit within a day or so. We know several students who experienced this last year. Many students feel that if they only merited a waitlist spot, then they’re less enthused to actually attend said school.</p>
<p>Given your list of great schools where you were accepted, I don’t understand your nattering about the waitlist at another school. Make your choice already. You’re showboating.</p>
<p>The likelihood that something over the top is going to get you into Dartmouth off the waitlist is pretty close to zero. The likelihood that you are going to one of the other schools that accepted you is close to 100 percent. Once you focus your energies on the school you are going to, you will find an inner peace and serenity that is currently eluding you with thoughts of other-the-top.</p>
<p>The most important thing to tell any school when asking to go on the wait list is that it is your #1 choice and that you will attend if admitted. If you are not certain you will drop the school you have accepted in favor of the wait list school, you should not bother with the wait list. For the schools, the wait list is like ED. They don’t want to mess around going down the list contacting folks until someone says yes, and they don’t want to give you time to consider your decision (if you end up saying no, you’ve significantly delayed their contacting the next person on the list). The more drawn out the process is, the less likely the school is to get a “yes” from its strongest wait listed candidates.</p>
<p>@higgins2013, I’m sorry I was by no means trying to showboat, and I definitely did not provide a list of the schools I was accepted… my comment about UChicago was simply referencing their vast collection of outlandish and “awesome applications”; I didn’t even apply to the school. </p>
<p>I suppose I shouldn’t be wasting my time on a creative letter then, the stats are pretty dismal (ranging from 80/1000 taken from the waitlist to 0/1000 taken). Then again, I might just waste my time on it because it’s second semester of senior year and homework no longer sounds appealing :P</p>
<p>Dartmouth is a pretty conservative place. I wouldn’t try anything that might just end up looking goofy. Decide if it is your absolute #1 and if you’re willing to eat your deposit. If your answer is yes to both, tell Dartmouth that it is your absolute #1 and the you will definitely enroll if they admit you. That’s it.</p>
<p>I think goofy might be just fine. After all, the odds are pretty close to zero to begin with. If you simply beg and grovel and tell them you are great and they are great and that you’ll be their best friend, well, you won’t have told them anything they don’t already believe. </p>
<p>A card saying “Purty Pwease” might be more effective.</p>
<p>If you have no other hooks, SilverSpoon, I say go for your parody to catch attention. You have very little to lose. Like Consolation says, make it good. And be sure there is no question that the Big Green is your #1. FWIW, you didn’t come across as showboating to me. Good luck, then forget about it, and love your other choices!</p>
<p>Higgins2013, what schools do you consider Tier 1.5? Just curious.</p>
<p>Ahhh thank you guys I’m going to go for it. I don’t have much to loose, in the words of my class motto “You only live once” (but actually, this is what my fellow classmates voted for :P)</p>
<p>I have worked with many very successful college counselors over the past three decades and I have never once known one to recommend sending a quirky/creative piece to a school at which the student is wait listed. They have recommended sending in new information (quarter grades, honors, results of competitions, etc.) and a clear statement of intent to enroll if admitted. That’s it.</p>
<p>Last year Dartmouth admitted 82 out of 814 waitlisted students. You need to do something to have a chance. I think it’s important to show who you are and most of all, let them know you will attend if admitted.</p>
<p>Ask yourself what you would regret more - doing it or not doing it? How will you feel when the letter is driving down the street in the mail truck? Will you feel like an idiot or will you say at least I tried. There is your answer.</p>
<p>Then immediately choose your school, buy the sweatshirt, put the sticker on your car and get excited for what lies ahead for you.</p>
<p>Generally speaking, what you send a college at this point is almost entirely irrelevant. There are some top colleges that now send return address postcards with waiting list announcements, with a note saying if you still want to be considered, send back the card, with a request that the applicant not call and not send anything else.</p>
<p>At highly selective colleges, when they go to the waiting list, they generally are working to fill slots (they need the bassoon player, 'cause the other one turned them down), or they’ve spent the financial aid budget and will be looking for full-pay students (no, they are not “need-blind”), or will weight legacies more heavily.</p>
<p>I have never met a college counselor with a reputation for successfully working the waiting list.</p>
<p>I have. Our GC got every kid off the WL at D1’s school the year D1 graduated. She called those schools repeatedly. Of course, if there is no spot there isn’t much one could do.</p>
<p>I passed on what D1’s GC told us to do to my friend whose daughter was going to a very good public high school. Her daughter’s GC did not want to make calls or do anything for her daughter. The GC also said it wouldn’t matter. My friend helped her daughter put a packet together and she also informed those schools that they were fully supportive of their kid going to the WL school. Her kid got off all 3 WL schools that year. Those schools were all top 20 schools. She was called the WL kid at her school.</p>
I’m going to go for it. I don’t have much to loose, in the words of my class motto “You only live once” (but actually, this is what my fellow classmates voted for :P)</p>