<p>Well I was wait listed at Smith for Spring transfer, and i took the advice of some message boarders and wrote a letter (emailed and faxed it to them). Would anyone else have any ideas on how to increase my chances that might aid in me metriculating to Smith? I tried calling but I think they are still closed for the holidays...</p>
<p>The offices probably won't open until January 2 or 3. I think Interterm begins January 8; they will definitely be open by then.</p>
<p>You don't want to make a pain of yourself, so, when you call, make sure it's to gather information ("What can I do to improve my chances of getting off the waitlist? Will I automatically be considered for next fall?") instead of trying to sell yourself. The letter should do the selling. Of course, if they start asking questions, then you should regard it as an interview and use it to promote yourself.</p>
<p>Yeah when I call I wasn't going to bother them, just basically ask all of the same things you said above, I know you aren't supposed to rely on getting off the wait list, but I am really hoping.</p>
<p>okay, so i sent the letter and i called to make sure they had recieved it and was put on hold for ten minutes and never got to speak to anyone then i called back to speak with a counselor to see if there was anything else i could do and was forwarded to voicemail and haven't gotten a call back...i'm at a loss.</p>
<p>Don't sweat it. </p>
<p>Now you just have to wait.</p>
<p>i don't know, i would just feel better if i could just talk to someone about my situation, or at least convey to them that i really want to go to Smith.</p>
<p>okay so i got a call back and they receieved my letter but I sort of got the feeling that they may not even get to the wait list...but I hope I'm wrong.</p>
<p>So here's what I'm told is a real story:</p>
<p>There was a woman rejected at Smith as a first-year. Went to Mt. Holyoke, but always thought she belonged at Smith. (this is not meant as a dig at Mt. Holyoke, which I think is a great school, it is just how the story went.) Applied as a transfer, and they wait-listed her. One day, she walked into the admissions office and demanded to see the director (Deb Shavers), and wouldn't leave until she did. She told Shavers that this was Smith's last chance to get her, and gave her a list of 10 reasons why Smith would be sorry if they didn't.</p>
<p>They admitted her the next day.</p>
<p>wow, that's the best story ever.
i wrote a letter but that's really not my style. i have one more plan and if I don't get in after this, then Smith is crazy...I'm perfect for this school.</p>
<p>I think you need to account for the fact that this post-holiday week is probably one of the more difficult times to get ahold of a live person. But getting ahold of a live person is what you need to do. </p>
<p>There's a fine line between being a nusiance and being persistent. I would call next week and if offered voicemail, say "no, thank you"...explain that you've already left a message if queried...and then try again later. Calling three or four times a day, if necessary, until you make a connection. The trick is timing, which you can't control, catching someone when they happen to be available and will take the call.</p>
<p>gotcha. but i'm not exactly sure how to sell myself over the phone short of bursting into tears and saying lame things like "you don't know how much this means to me".</p>
<p>If you're "perfect for the school," you have something to tell them besides bursting into tears and telling them how much it means to you. </p>
<p>And you could probably do worse than using "Why am I perfect for Smith?" as a prompt and coming up with at least a list of bullet points.</p>
<p>okay, so I sent them a letter and I had a teacher do another recommendation. Also, I made a really cute poster of 10 reasons why I should be at Smith, I'm going to try and call tomorrow and see if I can get ahold of someone to talk to...</p>
<p>I like the poster idea!</p>
<p>it's really really cute, i'm on my way to have it printed but i'll try and post a link to it later.</p>
<p>okay here is a link to the poster:</p>
<p>actually i deleted that one, pm me for the new link, dont really want it posted for everyone to see</p>
<p>I think it's great! And should catch their attention - if it doesn't, I suggest picketing, while using it as a sandwich board.</p>
<p>haha thanks. although I just got off the phone with them and it seems that is highly unlikely that they will go to the wait list, which is very depressing.</p>
<p>Get out that sandwich board, a warm coat, and good shoes.</p>