News: Harvard waitlists a gazillion applicants

<p>I was waitlisted. I don't know many people in my area that got rejected, and no one that got in. Instead, I know 10 waitlistees. How big is the waitlist?? With Harvard's yield, is this just to make us feel better? lol I don't care that much though, I think I will be attending MIT.</p>

<p>The number of waitlisted applicants who are admitted can vary substantially from year to year. It is affected by the difference between the projected and actual yield rates.</p>

<p>The number of admits - 2,109 - projects a 78% yield rate in order to achieve the planned class size of 1,650.</p>

<p>To the extent the actual yield rate falls below 78%, the slots thus opened will be filled from the waitlist.</p>

<p>The waitlist is not ranked. People taken from the list would tend to reflect the strengths/demographics of those "lost" from the admit group.. ie, a North Dakota resident, oboe player, prospective engineering major, etc., although I don't want to pretend it is really as precise as that.</p>

<p>But a lot of thought goes into the diversity and balance of the group originally selected, and if the "losses" are disproportionally in a few areas, they may to rebuild the balance from the waitlisted group.</p>

<p>Thanks, Byerly. I think that was the first time I've ever actually used your seemingly unlimited knowledge. I was going to drop off the waitlist, but maybe I'll give it a shot.</p>

<p>I know three girls besides myself who applied to Harvard. I and one other girl were waitlisted, and the other two girls are waiting until they get the letter in the mail. I suspect one at least will be rejected.</p>

<p>There must have been 4 or 5 CC posters last year who made it in off the waitlist. I attempted to give them a little free advice here and there (which, as a rule, is worth what you pay for it!) and like to think I may have helped a little bit. Hang in there. It doesn't cost anything to remain on the WL, and you might get lucky.</p>

<p>i know like 3 other ppl that were waitlisted too. do you know what percentage of waitlisted applicants are usually accepted?</p>

<p>Well, I am a harpist, and the conductor informed me that there was a space in next year's orchestra that they would need to fill. Perhaps if another harpist turns down Harvard for a Conservatory or for a better music program, I could be pulled off the waitlist as a sort of replacement. It's worth a shot, anyway; I do not believe I know any harpists at my level who have not gone to music schools. </p>

<p>I am very happy with my college choices, though, and I would love to attend any of them.</p>

<p>How many are on the waitlist?</p>

<p>I heard it was several hundred, approaching a thousand.</p>

<p>Byerly, i was waitlisted too. What do you suggest waitlisted people should do?</p>

<p>almost a THOUSAND??? wow. there's like no chance of being accepted from the WL then</p>

<p>The list is not ranked.</p>

<p>Those taken off the list are as likely to be selected on the basis of their EC interest, place of residence, etc as on the basis of their SAT score or GPA.</p>

<p>The frst thing to do is to try and figure out what might constitute your strongest "hook".</p>

<p>It is relevant...If there were 19 thousand waitlistees, your chances would be a lot smaller than if there were 10-15 only haha. Should I drop off the list?</p>

<p>Actually even with a thousand, the chance should be no worse than RD :-D.</p>

<p>If I happen to be the lucky winner to get in off the waiting list...spectacular. If not, Georgetown SFS is probably a better school for someone interested in International relations anyway. lol.</p>

<p>I thought that they didn't notify you just until a little later if you're waitlisted or not...?</p>

<p>I don't know the # on the waitlist, but I imagine that the odds of getting into Harvard off the waitlist are far less than are the one in 9 or so odds of getting into Harvard regular decision.</p>

<p>According to US News Premium edition, last year or the year before, Harvard accepted 81 students from the waitlist. My guess is that means that more than 1,000 students were on the waitlist. </p>

<p>My region normally has around 20 students apply to Harvard each year. Typically there are 1-3 students accepted each year and about 2-3 students waitlisted.</p>

<p>There will be about 700 on the WL, I believe.</p>

<p>What is Harvard's usual yield. 78% yield protection seems pretty strong.</p>

<p>700 on waitlist with 2/3s responding: 466 active candidates. If waitlist takes 50, thats a better than 10% chance. If waitlist takes 100, better than 20% chance. I'd say chances are good! Better than RD anyway.</p>

<p>I'm thinking I may not stay on the Harvard or Columbia waitlists. I love the schools to which I have been accepted, and I was given a scholarship at University of Chicago, which is very nice since my parents far from qualify for financial aid. Harvard and Columbia are fantastic schools, but so are the other colleges I have gotten into. I never had a first choice during the college search process, so I am not dying for any one school. I am just thrilled with going to college next year in general! I will talk to my college advisor about it on Monday.</p>