<p>I called Wake’s admissions offices and was told that they will give out our decisions over the phone. So I asked for mine.
Rejected! 
I called my mom from school (went to the bathroom during lunch) and cried. Yeah, just like a baby. I feel so unwanted and worthless. </p>
<p>Good luck to all of you still waiting, and congratulations to all of you who were accepted!!!</p>
<p>I bet Wake lied and sent out rejection and waitlist letters later. </p>
<p>A trend seems to have started. </p>
<p>But last year, it looked like most people, accepted/waitlisted/rejected all got their letters around the same time.</p>
<p>My son got his “lost” mail today. Rejection.</p>
<p>I still didn’t receive anything in the mail. I will call admissions tomorrow morning first thing & hopefully get my answer then. Doesn’t look good. :(</p>
<p>Good luck, MartiniGirl717. Hope you hear better news than I did.</p>
<p>so sorry to hear the news swissmiss. You would’ve been a great addition to the class. It’s Wake’s loss.</p>
<p>Thank you, swissmiss3. Where else did u get in? I was accepted to Tulane, Fordham, & Northeastern. I am waitlisted @ Binghamton, Richmond, & Villanova. I was rejected from Lehigh. And Cornell told me what courses to take my first year at another institution then apply as a transfer student in Fall 2010. Still waiting for Wake Forest, which is my first choice.</p>
<p>BTW, you are NOT unwanted or worthless, swissmiss3. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks, you guys. It’s SO nice of you to try to cheer me up. I wish I could meet you!!! :)</p>
<p>I got in at Villanova but no financial aid, even though FAFSA says our EFC is around $28K, so my dad says there’s no way we can pay that kind of money. I got in at Bradley, and the rest are OOS public universities, nearly all of which I have not visited. My dad doesn’t want to take me to see them either; he says we can just pick one, like the cheapest one, and I’ll go there even if I’ve never set foot on campus. He says to look on the internet and see what it’s like. My dad prefers the U of Arkansas b/c it’s the cheapest. They gave me instate tuition plus $5K, so it will cost about $9K a year. BUT, the band director said I need to play at a regional level to make the band, they don’t march with my instrument, and there’s no way I can learn a new instrument and get that good that fast. I am a true band nerd, so the thought of NOT being in band is incomprehensible.<br>
I’ve been waitlisted at Bucknell and Washington and Lee, so maybe something can come from one of those, both of which I liked VERY much when I saw them last June. </p>
<p>So, as much as it hurts to have 9 rejections in less than a week, I do have 2 waitlists, 1 acceptance that costs too much, and places I’ve never been to see. That’s better than some kids get. </p>
<p>I think the worst part of it all is that my overall GPA is lower because the first two years of high school I was sick and getting medical care. I had cancer and needed chemo, radiation, and multiple surgeries, and those beat you down hard. You don’t feel like doing anything but vomiting and sleeping. During those two years, I learned that a cancer friend I made at the hospital, who was my age, died of his cance and a few months after that I fell into depression because of his death. I felt guilty that he died while I lived. I spent a couple of months in a hospital where counselors helped me understand that although my friend died and I didn’t, I had SO much to be thankful for! They helped me work past his death and my guilt. Junior year I turned everything around and made almost a 4.0 and have worked hard senior year too, making nearly a 4.0 so far this year. Maybe colleges think I’ll go crazy and do something like the boy at Virginia Tech, but I am not at all like that person. I am active at school, in lots of clubs, have good friends, and am very social. I have great relationships with my teachers and family. Obviously my high school doesn’t view me as a threat since they let me be there, and it’s been more than 2 years since I got out of the mental hospital. My life is SO different from how it was the first two years, but it’s like the adcoms don’t care. That is the hardest part of all this. The last year and a half is what I am capable of doing, but it doesn’t matter. </p>
<p>I know there will be a college for me but it probably won’t be one I really like. And that is better than some kids have it. Some kids don’t have parents who can and will help pay for their education. Some kids work, live at home, and study part-time. So I have lots to be thankful for. It still hurts to be rejected by places I would gladly attend if I could. But I know you guys understand how that feels. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. So, who wants to go to Arkansas with me??? Soooo weeee, go Hogs!</p>
<p>swissmiss, wow I am so sorry that you went through that the first two years of high school. I also was very, very ill and was hospitilzed almost half of my junior year, and I realize how hard it is to get back on you feet after such a traumatic experience.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think you are the type of person who will be successful no matter where you are. Again, I am sorry that you did not get into the schools you wanted to, but I honestly believe you are the type of a person who will thrive and shine no matter what school you attend, and that school will be lucky to have you. Keep us updated with you final decision; I hope for the best for you.</p>
<p>Swissmiss, as a '76 WFU alum, I’ve been lurking on this site all week and pulling for you. I was very sad to see the outcome of your wait and even more unhappy now that I’ve heard your full story. I really appreciated your attitude and enthusiasm for Wake - the loss is Wake’s as much or more than yours.</p>
<p>So I stalked some of your other CC data to see where else you have acceptances. You only mentioned “OOS publics,” so I was expecting to be a little underwhelmed. OMG, you have some outstanding ones, including three of the most sought-after flagship universities in America - Wisconsin, Indiana, and Colorado.</p>
<p>I’ve been to all three, so I’ll be your tour guide. Wisconsin is one of the elite public universities in the country, in one of America’s great college towns. Madison’s built around two huge lakes, with the state capitol on an isthmus between them. UW is on the shore of Lake Mendota, one of the most scenic settings for any university. From their student center, you can order a sailboat, have it put on a trolley, and let it slide down into the lake on a breezy day. Its ranking as a national university is comparable to Wake’s but its national reputation - I reluctantly admit - is probably broader. Students love it there; it’s not another OOS state U - it’s very, very special.</p>
<p>I spent a week at IU a number of years ago, and thought it was wonderful. Again, a classic college town and a Big Ten university, but this one has a music conservatory that rivals or surpasses Juilliard, with all the professional-quality performing arts that go with it. It’s a beautiful campus - not as dramatic a locale as Madison, but very green and leafy, with almost a Southern ambience (I think you can even order grits in Bloomington). IU may be a notch below Wisconsin in academic reputation, but then most universities are.</p>
<p>If you can only visit one of the three, it might be good to see Boulder. Possibly the most dramatically scenic campus in America with the Rockies looming behind it and surrounded by a fabulous resort, retirement, college town, it’s once of maybe a dozen schools in the country to which the Fiske Guide gives at least 4 out of 5 stars on academics, social, and quality of life. It’s got a little more countercultural vibe than the other two, but it’s large enough to accommodate all types of students.</p>
<p>If you’re a true band geek, you’d probably find better options at those three schools than at Wake. And, there are certainly some aspects in which the Wake experience might be better. But the point is that you’re not without options - indeed, some of your options are among the most coveted in the country. I visited UT-Austin a couple years ago and spent a day. I enjoyed it a lot, but I’d choose Wisconsin, Indiana, or Colorado over it any time. If Bucknell comes through, then you’ve got the Wake Forest of the north. But I don’t know that I’d choose Bucknell over those three!</p>
<p>Hang in there. You’re out of the hospitals and you’ll be in college next fall. You’re already a bigger winner than most prospective students have ever had to be.</p>
<p>I need Wake soooo bad… I can’t stand waiting any longer… I’m up in MA, anyone else in my situation?</p>
<p>Aww, swissmiss3! I’m so sorry to hear you didn’t get in to Wake! <em>HUGE HUG</em> I would gladly give up my spot if I knew you would get it! Stay positive - you’ve got some great options and most of them are considerably cheaper than Wake to boot!</p>
<p>I’m sorry about everything you’ve had to go through, and know that you are a stronger person than I could ever hope to be. Wake has suffered the bigger loss.</p>
<p>gadad! Man, what school have you NOT visited! You’re good at selling and describing schools…you actually make me want to attend one of those 3 state universities!</p>
<p>Awww, swissmiss, I’m so sorry to hear that. I have a good friend who is currently fighting cancer and while I thankfully have never had it myself, I know how hard that must have been on you. I know everything will work out in the end. You will end up finding your niche wherever you go, and hey, if your heart is absolutely, positively set on Wake, you can always try to transfer in (but then again I wouldn’t recommend going into whatever school you choose with the attitude that you’re just going to transfer and not trying to make friends, etc).</p>
<p>gadad did an excellent job of selling those schools, I thought 
(I would LOVE to be at school and just be able to go out and sail like you can at UW…I really wish Wake had a lake like that or a sailing club). </p>
<p>And on the bright side, although Wake’s band is fun, you probably would get the more hardcore band experience at a larger state school…</p>
<p>ACCEPTED!!!</p>
<p>GPA: 4.04/ 4.00 (Weighted)
3.95/4.00 (Unweighted)
Top 10% in class
Classes: AP US History, AP Calulus AB as a Junior. AP Government, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B as a Senior. Also completed four years of Spanish.</p>
<p>ACT/SAT
ACT: 32 (Writing 7)
SAT II: Math II 710, US History 690</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
Captain of Chess Club since freshman year. I have worked with the school board in obtaining proper funding in order to send our team to the state championships.
Currently ranked 2nd in the state of Ohio in chess for current seniors and one of the top fifty players nationally for my age. I have placed very highly in a great deal of state and national competitions over the past four years.
Treasurer of the National Honor Society 2008-09 (Largest Club in school)
Member of National Honor Society 2007-08
Captain of the Stock Market Simulation Team 2007-08, 2008-09
Member of the Junior Varsity soccer team 2005-06, 2006-07
Member of the Internationals Club Soccer Team (Ohio North State Finalist) 2005-06
Contributing writer for the Ohio Chess Connection bimonthly magazine </p>
<p>Community Service
Participated on a ten day immersion trip to Duran, Ecuador in spring 2008
with the Rostro De Cristo organization
Bonded closely with an elderly resident in an Assisted Living Center
through common interest and passion for chess over the past three years
Volunteered for the Interfaith Hospitality Network at my local parish for
the past two years which provides shelter and meals to homeless families
Volunteer with Progress with Chess which is a non-profit organization
using grant dollars to teach chess to students in the inner-city schools
within the Cleveland Municipal School District
Volunteer for the Christmas Donation program with the Geauga County
Department of Job and Family Services
Akron Hunger Center Volunteer
Completed over 300 hours of service since freshman year</p>
<p>Other Achievements
Winner of the Scholar-Athlete Award as a freshman member of the JV soccer team (highest GPA on the team)
First Honors Recipient (3.75+ GPA) every semester
Nominated as the Jefferson Scholar candidate from my school for the University of Virginia</p>
<p>Dear CC friends,
Thank you for your sweet posts and information about three schools I’ve not seen. Gadad, thanks for sharing your knowledge about those places with me. My aunt and uncle have been to Wisconsin (they live in far northern IL) and love it. I think I am afraid of the huge schools since my entire life has been in a very small town (we have 2 stoplights :)) and small is my comfort zone. Most of the colleges I applied to are in smaller cities or towns, not much in a big city. I’m a country soul. </p>
<p>The Boulder band takes anyone who’s interested, even with limited experience like I’ll have on that new instrument (tuba!), so I will see if my mom will drive me up for a long weekend. The other large places don’t march my instruments either, which is fine since I want to learn the tuba, but they require an audition and, honestly, I can’t see myself mastering playing and marching a tuba over the summer. I will see if I can talk to the band directors over the phone to see if a beginning tuba player could make it. What I will lack in skill I’ll make up for in determination and attitude.</p>
<p>If you had met my friend who died, you would understand what the world is missing. His name was Neil Sen, and his dad has a website in his memory; you can Google his name to find it. That family is amazing. They are from India, now living in north Texas. The dad had to quit his job as an engineer (chemical?) to care for Neil in Houston; we met at MD Anderson. Neil and Mr. Sen had been there 3 years when we met. All that time away from the rest of their family made them decide to go back up to Dallas for Neil’s care. He got pneumonia and the Dallas doctors were too slow to diagnose it. He died. His poor dad carries a lot of guilt over the decision to leave MD Anderson, where Neil got first-rate care. Neil’s death was my wake-up about pediatric cancer. I was happily ignorant about the futures of the other kids. I was so ignorant, I thought that most of them would survive. Neil’s death slapped me with reality: of the nearly 80 patients (and their parents) his dad knew and kept in contact with, only 9 were still alive and I was one of them. Life is precious indeed, my friends.</p>
<p>juba2jive, I hope your friend has a happy ending to his cancer. Until you know about it firsthand, it’s nearly impossible to imagine what it does to people. I weighed 79 pounds at my lowest, my hair (including eyelashes and eyebrows) was gone. My face was red ( like severe sunburn) from radiation treatments, and I felt drained. My aunt gave me Lance Armstrong’s book “It’s Not About The Bike” to read and it’s great! Maybe your friend would enjoy it. That book helped me a lot during treatment, so maybe it will help your sick friend too. </p>
<p>I will definitely beg my parents (my mom seems more willing to go to places than my dad) to drive me to see one. Maybe I’ll get off a waitlist. Maybe we’ll win the Texas lottery and can afford Villanova (anyone can join their band). 
Maybe I’ll end up realizing that one of the OOS larger schools is just right. </p>
<p>THANK YOU, everybody. Good luck wherever YOU end up too!!!</p>
<p>Swiss Miss, the band program at U. of Wisconsin is excellent. If band is your passion, then you should really consider Madison. And academically, the U. of Wisconsin is top-notch. </p>
<p>We’d be proud to have you become a Badger. But wherever you end up, we know you’ll be a success–we’re rooting for you.</p>
<p>My sister is a UW-Madison student and a music major. I was accepted to UW but will not go. I also have friends in Madison. It has all the good things about a big school- a lot of things to pick from. It also has a deserved reputation in Wisconsin as a school that lacks personal attention and classes that are just too big. It is not a very friendly university towards students. Resources for students are hard to find and professors are not easy to approach. If you need any TLC it is not the place for you. I am an independent person but too many people I know have enjoyed Madison as a great city and campus but not as students. </p>
<p>The band has been in trouble for hazing incidents a couple of teams. Music majors do not have time to participate in the band although it is an excellent band.</p>
<p>swissmiss3, it takes a lot to bring tears to my eyes, but you have accomplished it. Your story is both sad & happy. I don’t know if my tears are for the sad parts or the happy ones. I strongly believe you will do great things in your life. I will never be as strong as you. BTW, I found out this morning I have been waitlisted at WFU. Looks like I am the Waitlist Queen. I send you many hugs & kisses.</p>