<p>After the matriculation deposits are made, the stats folks in admissions will look to see what holes might exist in the class. For example, are they heavy on A&S kids and light on Engineering? They will then go to the waitlist to fill those slots. While they won’t publicly tell you this, there is some ranking to the waitlist, or at least there used to be. Some kids are classified as “soft deny” because of family relationships to Vanderbilt and that means they get waitlisted instead of outright rejected.</p>
<p>I am convinced they also gauge interest level.</p>
<p>What is the downside to accepting a position on the waitlist?</p>
<p>The only downside is it makes it harder to get excited your second choice since you are in limbo. Also, since only about 10 percent get off waitlist - most applicants will feel the pain of rejection all over again. However, if you have realistic expectations it makes sense to stay on.</p>
<p>Just as a heads up to everyone in case you haven’t been checking as frantically as I have, they sent out the first email today that asks whether or not you would like to continue staying on the waitlist. In reading last year’s discussion, they sent out the first email at the end of April, gave students a week to respond, and then sent out the first wave of waitlist acceptances 6 days later. Based on that, I assume the first wave of acceptances this year will fall sometime close to Sunday May 4 (which is 6 days after the final date of April 28 to respond to the email.)</p>
<p>@ahleesuh I also received the waitlist email yesterday! The sad thing about all of this is that I absolutely love the school where I’ve sent in my deposit (Hopkins 2018! 
), but my family’s first choice is Vandy. Also, both of these schools are so ridiculously expensive that I might turn down Hopkins for Vandy if the latter can trump Hopkins’ FA package. It’s sad that we have to be so concerned over finances when our futures are hanging in the balance</p>
<p>@FuXiaoBai I completely understand how you feel. Some of my friends who got accepted into their top choices might not be able to attend because of finances. Nonetheless, I hope you’re happy wherever you may end up!</p>
<p>So am I the only person who is completely freaking out about waiting to hear back from Vanderbilt?? I was looking at last year’s thread and it seems like way more people were discussing being on the waitlist than this year. Is everyone just way more mellow than I am or am I just freaking out too much? </p>
<p>Do you guys write “love letters” to them? I sent an e-magazine to them and show my interests, but i didn’t say much about why vandy. I’m worried that’s no enough… Sooo nervous about the decisions!!</p>
<p>Does anyone know the date of the first wave of waitlist acceptances?</p>
<p>^^^
Historically, they send out the first wave very soon after May 1. If the admissions office is on their A-game this year, it will go out Friday. Otherwise, early next week (Monday/Tuesday) seems practical.</p>
<p>Keep in mind though that they don’t admit Arts and Sciences students by majors (b/c they know 75+% will change their majors sometime in their 4 years). Peabody, Engineering, and Blair are admitted by specific areas however.</p>
<p>The adcoms probably have already sought out the strongest kids in the w/l pool in mid to late April. Last year, emails/phone calls were sent out May 5. It is ridiculous to suggest that they review 2000+ apps in 4 days.</p>
<p>Good luck everyone.</p>
<p>@GreatBeane Based on what I read on last year’s waitlist discussion, I’m guessing that the first wave of acceptances will be released on Sunday May 4 but I could be way off. I definitely second what @Marioandluigi said though.</p>
<p>I would doubt on a Sunday, as they tend to make personal phone calls.</p>
<p>Its like March 29th all over again. But this time, we dont know when they’ll release 
Anyone else refreshing their email every 20 minutes?</p>
<p>@muhammad9211 Glad to hear I’m not the only one haha 
@LBowie I read that they starting sending out emails as opposed to making personal phone calls. Maybe I misread something though?</p>
<p>While wait list calls have been made earlier the last few years, I know OUA didn’t go to the wait list in 2009 until Commencement Day, May 8. At that time, it was phone calls. Remember they have to look at the statistical profile of those who have sent their responses.</p>
<p>Are they definitely going to be making phone calls? Not emails?</p>
<p>The website says that emails will be sent to those given offers. Didnt really say anything about calls. Last year, may 4th was a Saturday. Doesnt mean it’ll be may 4th this year since it falls on a sunday. They also waitlisted more people im assuming cuz they admitted less than last year. Monday would be the most reasonable guess. <em>Gear set to Panic</em></p>
<p>@muhammad9211 I was just thinking that it would be May 4 this year since that’s 6 days after the last day to respond to the email they sent out, which would be the same thing as what happened last year. Either way, I’m sure I’ll be continuously refreshing my email this weekend :)</p>
<p>May the 4th be with you.</p>
<p>How many waitlist release waves to they do?</p>