<p>As a harvard waitlistee, would writing a letter or sending an additional recommendation improve my chances of being admitted? I know people who were taken off Harvard and MIT waitlists and all they did was send in the postcard. It seems like there is sufficient information in each folder to make a decision and only new, significant information need be reported, but all the waitlistees on this forum seem to be taking additional action. Won't this just annoy the admissions officers? Or could writing a letter expressing continued interest actually sway a decision? Does anyone have personal experiences with waitlist admits? Thanks.</p>
<p>It's my understanding that getting off the waitlist is pretty much just luck... Some years Harvard hasn't taken anyone off of the waitlist</p>
<p>As far as I know, Harvard uses the waitlist to make a more rounded class... So if they'd like more matriculants from the east coast... or more planning to concentrate in a certain field, waitlisted students fitting those criteria will be considered
In that case, sending in an extra rec letter wouldn't help all that much... but that's just my impression</p>
<p>It certainly couldn't hurt I don't think...
Correct me please if I'm wrong here.</p>
<p>It certainly can't hurt, so why not send in anything new you may have?</p>
<p>Sure, they are probably looking to fill a slot, but if they are picking among 3 possible replacements for the tuba-player from Missouri who went to UVa instead, well .... it might as well be you!</p>
<p>Thank you candlize and Byerly, I will send in updates, then.</p>
<p>i was waitlisted too but have since decided that harvard is not the right place for me</p>
<p>I sent in some information. </p>
<p>Wish me luck.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>You too man!</p>
<p>In a few days, we'll see if Harvard even resorts to the waitlist (I can't help myself -- I'll probably call them sometime by the end of this week to ask if they'll be accepting anyone. Ugh, I realize the chances are sooo slim, but I can't help but retain some hope...if they're to be dashed, I want them to be dashed asap so as not to prolong the uncertainty). </p>
<p>Good luck all!</p>
<p>Btw, where have you waitlistees matriculated in the meantime? I just sent my deposit in for NYU. I was an all-around Ivy reject/waitlistee :(</p>
<p>My S (also waitlisted) sent in his deposit to Berkeley.</p>
<p>I matriculated at Columbia- I'm with you phantom, I'm still holding out hope for Harvard as futile as it might be. My friends all think I'm delusional.</p>
<p>I'm with you perfectionist, mailed out my deposit to Columbia...but i feel way more hopeful than i should... =/</p>
<p>Does anyone know if Harvard releases their actual yield soon? Or does that not come out till a few months from now? It would be nice to know how many spots are there!</p>
<p>well phantom, do u plan to call em and ask if they are even going to resort to their waitlist?</p>
<p>last year i know a girl who got a call May 3, the first business day after May 1, things arent looking too great this year =/</p>
<p>harvard's been my dream school foreverrrrrrrrrrrr and i applied EA...i've had like 4 interviews with them already ......Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhh</p>
<p>yup, i'll call -- I promise...but I'm going to give them a few days to sort stuff out -- I'll call either Thursday or Friday. I know last year a CC person reported getting in around 5/11. </p>
<p>I'm glad you guys matriculated at Columbia...that way if you're taken off Harvard's waitlist, 2 more spots will open up on Columbia's waitlist...hehe (waitlisted there too).</p>
<p>shostakovich- are you sure about May 3? That seems way too early considering that the postmark deadline isn't until the 2nd. I called and the person I spoke with said that no one would be taken off until late may/early june. She didn't seem very knowledgeable, though.</p>
<p>i agree with perfectionist -- im sure they'd make allowances for slightly late replies (esp if they want to increase their yield percentage) so i doubt that 5/3 reply as well. they'd probably wait a week at least.</p>
<p>Well, maybe it was a special case, I strongly doubt my friend was lying about it. Harvard apparently called her on May 3 and told her not to send in her deposit to Brown because she had been taken off the waitlist, but she apparently already did. She was kind of upset at losing her deposit when she could have prevented it, but oh well. She's very happy now...Hmmm maybe I should ask her again about May 3 just to check...</p>
<p>Brown doesn't require a deposit, at least it didn't this year. Maybe they changed the policy, but it's kinda doubtful.</p>