I applied to eight boarding schools last year and was waitlisted by five of them and rejected by the others. and I’m reapplying this year as a sophomore repeat. Should I indicate that I am a reapplicant (or waitlisted) for each specific school? Does it demonstrate my dedication? or will it have a detrimental impact on my chances of acceptance? If it is recommended, where in the application is a suitable spot to indicate it? (I was thinking in the additional section in the candidate profile.)
Furthermore, I was wondering if boarding schools keep application files from previous years’ rejected and waitlisted applicants. Finally, if I was waitlisted by a school last year, what can I do to improve my chances this year?
I eagerly await your comments.
Hi there. I work in admissions at a boarding school. We do keep records of previous applicants, including their status at the end of the application cycle. I don’t think it necessarily hurts your chances to re-apply after being waitlisted but you will want to be sure that the new application materials you submit demonstrate growth/new accomplishments/increased course rigor/etc. In other words: do not submit an application that is near identical to what you submitted last year.
Remember that admissions offices are looking to build a class that includes diverse talents and meets institutional priorities. It may be that in the context of last year’s admitted students your application was waitlisted, but in the context of this year’s admitted students your special talents/skills/interests are given a place to shine.
Tana98 Thank you for your response. BTW, Tana looks familiar to me. I’m curious to know about it.
I am applying as a sophomore repeating student. and I was thinking of submitting an ACT score (SSAT and ISEE are not given in my country). Should I submit it?