<p>I got waitlisted at yale today which is actually more than I expected to be honest. I'm not too upset cause I got in at other high quality schools. Anyways, are there any CC'ers who've been in this situation and can shed light as to best way to get accepted from the wait list.</p>
<p>Also I've seen some stats that ~20% accept the spot on the waitlist. That seems low to me, is there any particular reason why someone would decline the position?</p>
<p>Sadly, for schools such as Yale, getting out of the waitlist is a very difficult thing to do. It’s best to write a letter to your admissions counselor that explains why the school is the place for you. You can see if your counselor can lobby for you or if you can send in an additional letter of recommendation as well. It really is luck of the draw.</p>
<p>Best of luck, though.</p>
<p>As for declining the waitlist position–maybe some students have already been accepted into their top colleges, and don’t wish to waste a position on the waitlist? I’m not so sure.</p>
<p>Well, back in my day, my best friend from high school passed up a spot on Yale’s wait list because he’d gotten into Princeton with really great financial aid. I suspect it’s still the same: people pass up the wait list somewhere because they have admissions offers elsewhere that they’re very happy with.</p>
<p>As for getting into Yale if you decide to take a spot on the wait list: I think it’s completely beyond your control. You may hear stories of what some selected students have done in years past, but you have no way of knowing whether they got in off the wait list because of what they did, nor of knowing whether the same tactic would work again this year. If you decide to accept a spot on the wait list, fine, but once you do, you should get on with the business of choosing the acceptance that appeals to you most, and making arrangements to attend that university or college.</p>
<p>I got off of two waitlists last year (Vandy and UNC - Chapel Hill) so here’s some advice I can offer. Write a BRIEF letter to your admissions counselor stating your interest in the school and getting the point across that you will definitely attend if accepted. That’s pretty much all you can do at this point. I know some people may tell you to write an essay or do some gimmicky BS or send in 130511380513 extra rec letters but trust me, admissions counselors are busy enough already and don’t have time to deal with extra superfluous crap. Good luck</p>