@MrElonMusk That’s interesting. Other posters have stated that they (or their kids) received emails specifically requesting an essay. Very confusing.
I have no problem with CMU asking for a “yes” or “no” reply regarding remaining on the PWL. I have a major problem with CMU requesting additional work like this. I think it’s very unfair to the applicants to require this type of work. These students are likely to be academically indistinguishable from the applicants that they accepted, so they should have all the information that they need from the original application.
More importantly, I think it’s a bit belittling to the students…they deserve to be there as much as the students that were initially accepted. However, it seems like CMU is intent on reminding them that they were wait-listed and had to further prove themselves in order to be granted the honor to attend.
My son was PWL for School of Music. He was accepted into a top music conservatory, but chose to be PWL because CMU has always been his top school. It didn’t sit well with him that he has already proven himself, done extra work, visited the school numerous times, taken classes, etc. and they are asking for another 500 word essay during IB testing. We have paid for airfair and hotel stays three times to visit the school. He just changed to regular wait list, because if he is good enough for the conservatory, he should be good enough for them since they aren’t ranked as high. He also received a scholarship to the conservatory and absolutely no aid for CMU. It seems like mind games at this point, who is gonna work the hardest and beg to be there. It is really upsetting how they handle waitlist students. If he had been initially accepted, he would attend. Now he is focusing on the conservatory, because they did not hesitate to offer him admission and a scholarship. It really seems like CMU is trying to convince him not to come. Ok, I am done ranting.
@NoKillli LOL I understand the admissions process. Just wondering why you would say that CMU should call up guidance counselors to see which students are willing to commit or not. At my school, counselors are not that involved in school-student communications and have zero knowledge of family finances.
“If you chose to remain active on our Priority Waiting List, you’ll be notified of your admission decision on Where Am I in the Process on May 4 after 5:00 p.m. EST.” so not at but anytime after. still could be 7 or 9 or midnight for all we know.
