<p>I have a friend here, applied 11 schools.</p>
<p>Allegheny
Amherst
Colgate
Bucknell
Pomona
Swarthmore
Wesleyan
Whittman
Dickinson
Reed
Lawrence
Williams</p>
<p>Come today, she has been accepted to only one, Allegheny College, and waitlisted at Reed, Lawrence, and Dickinson.</p>
<p>What to do now? The logical advice we've been is to make our deposit and Allegheny College and then jump immediately on trying to get off the waitlist.</p>
<p>Is this it? Is their anything else we're missing?</p>
<p>The first thing we're supposed to do is write a letter ASAP to the schools she has been waitlisted at, but what do you put in them? What would you say?</p>
<p>If you have any other advice on dealing with a waitlist dilemma like this, then please tell.At this point, we have no options.</p>
<p>"At this point, we have no options."</p>
<p>Yes and no. Right now, you're right - it's Allegheny or nothing. When is the deposit due? Hold off for as long as you can since you won't lose that spot unless you forget to send in the deposit. </p>
<p>Although I don't quite get the "we" in your post, I'll proceed as though you're talking only about your friend.</p>
<p>Given the list of schools where she had been waitlisted, she probably has the best chance of getting off Lawrence University's list, given past statistics. Still, she needs to go for all of them - and right away. I know that Dickinson's acceptances were sent out a couple of weeks ago, and if she hasn't already responded, then she has already lost valuable time. She should write a letter to each, explaining passionately why she considers herself a perfect fit for the school. She should show in her letter that she has researched the school (no generic comments!) enough to know why she would be a good student there. The letters should scream, "This is my dream school! I'd do anything to be admitted!"</p>
<p>She should update any EC's. If she has third marking period grades and then are as good or better than her midterm grades, have her GC send them as well. If anyone can right a quick but powerful recommendation for her, do that as well. Know any alums from those schools? Have them write as well. This all has to be done this week.</p>
<p>If she can, she should make an appointment at the admissions offices to "interview" for the waiting list spot. Showing up on campus can show tremendous interest. Your friend isn't the only one in this situation, so she needs to attract the attention of the admissions office. If she gets off one waiting list, she should take it, with no hesitation; waiting for the others to respond will likely blow up in her face. That means that she should not accept a spot on the waiting list at any college she would not be thrilled to attend over Allegheny.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks a billion for the response. We, <a href="and%20when%20I%20say%20we,%20it%20because%20she%20has%20come%20to%20me%20for%20help....">I</a>* have no idea what the tone of this letter should be or how we're writing this.</p>
<p>I mean, is this the point where we she be all out self-centered and boa****l to the admissions offices?</p>
<p>This girl could write an ode to Reed, her 1st choice, speaking poetically about why Reed is here heaven.</p>
<p>She could also be bold, and say right out: "I am understanding of your decision, but still believe that I belong at Reed because... :well look at me, I can do this and this (and so on and so forth):</p>
<p>I'm not sure if this is:
a) an all out, but certainly not tedious, writing of all the reasons Reed should take me...still</p>
<p>b) Telling admissions, in a way bluntly, that I belong at Reed and should have been accepted</p>
<p>c) Almost a restating again of the "Why I Love Reed" essay, in away that she is trying to re-prove her fondness and connection with the school.</p>
<p>So, is this letter meant to be blunt and boa****l about yourself (Reed needs me; I am what Reed wants), to recapture/restate your love for the school (I want Reed; Reed would be great for me), or sort of like a plea (Please accept me, I can prove I'm a good candidate).</p>
<p>HELP SOMEBODY!!!</p>
<p>The letter has to be heartfelt and passionate - but in her own words. No b.s. No between-the-lines "you idiots."</p>
<p><<She could also be bold, and say right out: "I am understanding of your decision, but still believe that I belong at Reed because.<<</p>
<p>My gut feeling is that the above is what she should say. What follows should show that she loves Reed, knows Reed, and would attend Reed in a heartbeat. She should not be arrogant but instead persuasive.</p>
<p>I hope someone else responds to your message. Right now, there are a zillion threads like this buried in the individual college discussions. Maybe you should go to the Reed, Dickinson, and Lawrence folders.</p>