GOT WAIT LISTED. WILL GO IF I CAN AFFORD IT. HOW DO I SAY THAT? WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN? - LOCI

Applying to College
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<p>Hi there, so I got waitlisted at Brown and I'm going to send a letter reaffirming my continued interest. It's my top choice school and I still really want to take the chance. However, on the Brown website, I noticed that it says under "wait list decisions" the following..</p>

<p>"Send a brief letter to the admission office informing them of your continued interest.
• If possible, address it to the admission officer who reads for your region (this can be found on college websites or by calling the admission office directly).
• If you would attend if admitted, tell them that directly; if you’re not sure, find language that is strong and positive without making promises you may not be able to keep.
• Remember, the fact that you have been placed on the waiting list means that the admission committee is already confident in your ability to succeed at the college. Therefore, keep the tone light and use the correspondence as an opportunity to reiterate why the college is a good match."</p>

<p>I still really want to attend Brown, however, currently, my family's financial situation is not doing well. At the school I currently committed to, originally, they wanted my family to contribute a large sum of money. However, after making an appeal, I was able to get a more affordable financial aid. This goes the same with Brown. I am really worried that they will also want my family to contribute a large sum of money (that is, if they even admit me off the wait list). I still want to go to Brown and notify the admissions staff of my continued interest…. However, depending on financial aid, I'm unsure if I can actually afford it. How do I properly word this in my letter of continued interest??!?! Will it slim down my chances if I mention it? I just want to be straightforward with them because if I do tell them I'd attend if I was admitted, and get a bad financial aid, then I would't be able to (and I'd be lying). How do I "find a language that is strong and positive without making promises I may not be able to keep" yet assure them that I would still like to attend their school???</p>

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<p>P.S I know I already mentioned/asked this but I don’t want to slim my chances of getting off the wait list JUST because of financial circumstances. Where do I even begin to state this in my letter… ?</p>

3

<p>Don’t mention it. You can review the offer if you get off the wait list. However, you should do this ASAP. Colleges are filling wait list slots right now. Most people wrote these letters last month…</p>

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<p>I understand and I will get it out immediately. At first I wasn’t sure if I should continue pursuing but as of this point, I feel like it couldn’t hurt. </p>

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<p>@staceyneil so if I don’t mention it, should I mention that I would attend if admitted (would that be considered lying)? I’m sorry for all my questions… I’m just not even sure how to word my letter… </p>

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<p>You can always say that Brown remains your top choice. It’s very common for people to have a top choice where they will definitely attend… IF it’s affordable. Colleges understand that.</p>

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<p>stacyneil is correct. your note should explicitly say Brown is your top choice. Don’t mention $–that’s assumed and normal.</p>