Is it okay? Do people do this?
No. They will never tell you. It could causes problems and even lawsuits. Sometimes they will tell your school guidance counselor if there is anything particular for a rejection.
A waitlist means if they had room they would have liked to take you. In fact, if room open up they may take you. So really there isn’t anything to tell you. Maybe it was a split decision in the admissions committee vote. Maybe one adcom fought harder for their own pick. Maybe one doesn’t like zealots.
No, they have no incentive to provide this information and you have not right to their private deliberations/decisions.
No, it is not ok. People who do this are guaranteed never to get off the waitlist.
You’re asking for a list of reasons why they didn’t accept you outright.
I would think that making such a list would only reinforce their belief that they were right.
It’s you right to ask them. It’s their right not to tell you.
@viphan: With respect, an applicant may REQUEST this information, but he has no (legal) RIGHT to it (unless he eventually matriculates).
@TopTier I agree, although I don’t know how FERPA may play a role in this. I was simply saying that it is an applicant’s right to request an information, but it is the institutional right that the school not release the information.
@viphan: FYI, it is my understanding that FERPA only applies to enrolled students, not to those who were denied, waitlisted, or opted to attend elsewhere.
I believe FERPA only applies to enrolled students. You will never know why a college rejected you, but X years later, you MIGHT find out why your alma mater accepted you.
You may wonder, but the answer wouldn’t make you feel any better. Tons of people get waitlisted. Many times the difference is slight between those accepted and those waitlisted. You can accept the spot, but move on regardless.
Your GC may be able to call and get information, such as there was a lack of interest shown.