When writing a letter to admissions after being wait listed, is it smart to mention the other school one plans on attending?
For example:
“I plan on attending the Georgia Institute of Technology, but am eager to accept a spot in MIT’s Class of 2019.”
Thanks everyone!
No, to do so invites an institution to feel you’re well covered and not as passionate.
No. Doing so risks the reply being, “We wish you the best of luck at the Georgia Institute of Technology.”
No, keep your love and focus on the school you are writing to.
@TopTier and @skieurope Alright, thanks so much! Would it be okay to write that I haven’t committed to a school yet? I know UChicago (where I was wait listed) sometimes calls before May 1 to offer wait list spots and asks if a student has committed anywhere yet.
I recommend you only make it absolutely clear that MIT remains your ardent top choice.
@TopTier I didn’t apply to MIT, I only listed it as an example. I’m writing to UChicago.
I understand; with those two schools, my suggestion would be identical.
^ Agreed.
Im not an adcom or anything, but if I saw someone on the MIT waitlist that mentioned already getting into GaTech, I probably wouldn’t think twice about unaccepting them knowing they have other great options.
If there was a perceive difference in prestige as in “I was accepted to Stanford, but X college remains my top choice” it could be permissible, but you’d have to be careful. If the wait list school is more selective don’t do it. I was accepted to a couple more prestigious schools, than my top choice, and it was suggested I use them as leverage.
@damcelance (re post #10) and @Lanie49:
^ ^ ^
I still wouldn’t do so. Isn’t it likely that admissions at X will perceive this precisely as it was intended:
- I’m so qualified that I was accepted by Stanford, and . . .
- More potentially harmful, obviously Stanford’s admissions staff is better able to assess my performance and potential than X’s (even for matriculation at X!!!), followed by . . .
- We’ll show this arrogant kid who is in charge of X’s admissions, he NEVER gets off our Waiting List.
Bro if you got into Stanford thsn other schools are gonna look at you like a diamond, and know that they messed up big time yoo
@thegrant (re post#12): I very much doubt it. Remember, this is in a “waitlist letter” with no independent/adult (e.g., GC) validation. How will the other school(s) KNOW that you actually were accepted by Stanford? Further, if you include a copy of your Stanford acceptance, you clearly exacerbate the issues cited in post #11 (#1 through #3); you’re “rubbing the other college(s) nose(s) in it.”
@TopTier Thanks for all your help! I agree 
Actually, is it possible that you could please look at my letter to see if it’s alright?
If u want to interest a popular boy/girl to be your prom date, do u mention another boy/girl you’re already considering going with?
@Lanie49: Certainly, please just PM me.
“If there was a perceive difference in prestige as in “I was accepted to Stanford, but X college remains my top choice” it could be permissible, but you’d have to be careful.”
No, it’s not. It invites “have fun at Stanford, then!” No one student is SOOOOOO important to a college that, upon hearing that Stanford (or whoever) accepted them, they’ll think “OMG! I can’t let THIS fish get away!”
@dancelance @TopTier @GMTplus7 Hey guys, what do you guys think of this: “I was accepted to a X (a school in Italy), Y (a school in Hong Kong), but Z college (a school in the US) still remains as my top choice and I would most certainly matriculate if admitted off the waitlist” ?
Because they are all schools in different countries, it is really hard to measure which one is more competitive than another as they are all top schools in those countries… Just a simple yes or no answer will do.
@vilan0va No.
If Z is your top choice, why not simply: “Z College, if you take me off the waiting list, I will matriculate.” As @GMTplus7 said no other boys/girls.
But you can only commit to one college. If you are pursuing multiple wait-lists, you can say to the others that you are extremely interested in the possibility of joining their Class of 2019, not a fully committal statement.
In doubt, why not consult your CC.