<p>Hi, so I was waitlisted---which I am shocked and amazed by, considering I was sure I would absolutely never be accepted....</p>
<p>Nonetheless, I am absolutely determined to fight for a spot. I've read a lot about how to do so, but suggestions seem varied and range from a simple, straight-forward letter of interest, to a package containing a number of different things (ex. a new essay, a new rec, a letter from a GC, an alumni rec, etc.) </p>
<p>I would love to hear any suggestions any of you might have as to how to most effectively fight for a spot in the fall freshman class... Have any of you had (or know anyone who has had) experience in successfully doing this (either for Swarthmore or for anywhere of the same caliber)? And of course I know so much of it is luck... but still. I'm determined.</p>
<p>These days are so difficult to watch with all the emotions of acceptances, waitlists, and rejections. I feel like the best thing to do is to offer congratulations and condolensces as appropriate and then just sit back and let the dust settle for a few days before talking about waitlists and all that.</p>
<p>If Swarthmore is your first choice and you really wish to attend there, write to the admissions officer for your region and let him/her know that if accepted, you will attend. Be thoughtful in your communication and let your enthusiasm and love for the school show, but above all, make sure that you are sincere. Ask him/her if it would be helpful or desirable for them to receive any additional material. You may not receive a reply immediately because the next couple of weeks will be hectic. Make sure to return whatever cards they have sent you so that the school knows that you are still interested. </p>
<p>Last year 34 students on the waitlist were admitted. This year with all the economic issues there may be more spots available. Good luck!</p>
<p>My daughter was also waitlisted. I read a response that said that a student had written a letter and them was called by the dean and accepted. I was wondering how long after she wrote did she receive her acceptance? Was it in April, May or into the summer? We have also written to her regional admissions counselor, but wonder if this letter was directly to the dean?? Any info would help. thanks so much</p>
<p>Students have gotten off the waitlist at various times ranging from April, immediately after letters have gone out, to June or so. I suppose that, on rare occasions, waitlist offers have even gone out later in the summer. It is impossible to see any trends because it varies from year to year. By the end of the month, they would like to have deposits from about 10 more students than the target class size to allow for “summer melt” (kids who decide to defer or otherwise opt to not enroll in Sept.). It would be unusual to get any indication of where they stand viz-a-viz that target.</p>
<p>Well if it’s any help, I’m turning down my admission to Swarthmore so thats one more spot down until they go to the waitlist. Best of luck!!</p>
<p>Her parents (of which I am one) wanted her to write early. But despite out “encouragement,” she didn’t write it until late April and she got the call in mid-May the day of her hs graduation. She was a very happy camper (or college-bound student)!</p>
<p>I don’t think so but I’m not sure. In her letter, my daughter provided an update of her accomplishments in bullet form (a few good things happened since she wrote the application) and she wrote a very personable (well written but not formal) paragraph or two about her impressions of Swarthmore when she visited. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>I just remembered one other thing my daughter did when she was wait listed at another of her top-choice LACs closer to our home. She attended a couple of classes which she arranged to do ahead of time with the professors. One of the professors had her meet him in his office before class and they ended up getting into a lively discussion about the topic of the course which they actually continued after class. He told her how impressed he was with her and when she sent him a thank you via email she also asked him (with her parents encouragement!) if he would be willing to advocate on her behalf with the admissions office. He did and she was admitted there, too. Swarthmore was too far away for her to do this there but your daughter might consider doing this if it’s not too far for her.</p>
<p>But wasn’t that painful for her to do? To me it seems pretty tortuous: to visit a school and sit in on classes as if you’re going to attend the following year, all the while knowing that the chances of that happening are minimal? But hey, if it worked, then that’s wonderful.</p>
<p>(Oh, and I don’t use the word “minimal” to be negative… after all, I’m also hoping to get off this waitlist!)</p>
<p>You’re right. It was somewhat painful. But she has solid self-esteem and I think it helped that she felt so supported by her parents. And the one professor in particular was very welcoming and complimentary which felt very validating to her. All in all it was a difficult month. But it helped that she was admitted to a back-up school that she liked very much. In any event, she took the risk and it paid off.</p>
<p>i was waitlisted last year, applying as a transfer this year;</p>
<p>i wrote a fairly long letter to the dean of my area (Nick Peterson) immediately after and never got a reply. I went to visit swarthmore during my spring break this year and talked with him for a little while. He showed me his email inbox- had a couple thousand unread emails (mine likely in there). if you tag it with “urgent” or something like that, me makes sure to read it, although i dont think a waitlist update is considered urgent. </p>
<p>at this point, considering yields and what not, you’re probably gonna have to do any cheerleading in person (sitting in on class, whatever) as opposed to mailing crap in and hoping it gets read. waitlsit are gonna be slim; i wouldnt book a plane flight to brownnose anytime soon.</p>
<p>I just got a call from my D’s counselor saying that he spoke with her regional admissions officer who told him that Swarthmore was finished with the waiting list. Needless to say we didn’t get "the"call. No idea how many were on waiting list or how many were taken off. At least 6 weeks of waiting are over. . .</p>