If a college is overenrolled, how does that concern the waitlist?

Because according to them, CMU overenrolled this year, but in their decision letter they say spots might open up in the summer. Isn’t the only way spots could open up now is if parents change their mind and don’t pay the tuition? I would assume if a college is overenrolled for the year they’re not gonna consider the waitlist at all, so I’m guessing CMU is just saying that as a precautionary measure? I did some research and the 2011 admitted students pool was also over-enrolled for that year, but they did accept 6 students off the waitlist.

I’d say that last year’s experience will probably be close to this year. Good luck.

@qialah What was last year’s experience?

If enough of their matriculants get off of the waitlists elsewhere or otherwise decide to back out, the school (or one or more of its divisions) may be underenrolled, so it may then admit a few from the waitlist.

I think the operative word is that they will take “a few” off the waitlist. It may happen, but don’t count on it.

@ucbalumnus Well I did e-mail them about a week ago and they said to me “We do expect to lose some students to the waitlists at other schools–and we still will have a full class at that point.”. So couple that with students backing out, would that make up the few spots that could possibly be open? In their e-mails that they sent to me when I asked them what happened, they definitively made it clear that they aren’t going to the waitlist this year but then they say in the letter that they might. I don’t know if I should keep some hope alive or what.

@qialah Yeah if they do manage to have open spots they would only take a few off the waitlist anyways, I’m just confused about this contradictory information.

Sometimes when a school overenrolled, there is still room in specific program(s). UMich overenrolled by hundreds last year, and yet, there were quite a few admitted from the waitlist.

My friend’s daughter was on a wait list for her #1 choice. She gave up as it was the day before she was leaving to attend her #2 school. The car was packed and ready to go. She got a call from her #1 choice that she was off the wait list. She had one day to make a decision. She and her father drove up to the school for one more visit. She choice to attend #1…which BTW, cost an additional $30,000 per year.

I personally feel that was way too late. Would you wait that long?

Did she lose her tuition?

@SaphireNY - is that question for me? If so, no she got her tuition back from college #2. She only lost her deposits.

Yes Per it was. Thank you. I would have assumed tuition and housing would have been due already. My prior school wanted payments to start on May 15 for August.