<p>I have been offered a spot on Notre Dame's waiting list, which I accepted. Would writing a letter, or an additional essay about how much Notre Dame means to me and how badly I would like to attend the school make any difference? I think I am going to do so regardless I would just like some outside opinions :)</p>
<p>My daughter’s in the same boat and emailed our regional rep to see what the next steps are. I would advise contacting yours before doing anything else, but writing additional essays may help as well.</p>
<p>I had a friend last here who was waitlisted, and my best advice is to be very cautious. Be sure to have applied to other schools in case it doesn’t work it, because it is a very real possibility that a very small number of students will reject their admission offer. My friend sent in a message just like you are suggesting, and it didn’t do much (he was not offered admission). The only thing I would recommend you emphasize is that if you are admitted you will be attending FOR SURE. That’s the only real benefit I can see from sending in a letter, as they assume that all students who apply are passionate about attending.</p>
<p>On a positive note, my friend was told that they reduced the number of students they waitlist so that those on the list would have a better chance this year. And my friend went to another school his freshman year and then transferred in and loves it. Don’t lose the faith! I wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>My daughter was waitlisted last year and was accepted from the waitlist in the first week of May. I can tell you that she immediately let her regional rep know that although she had been admitted to other schools ND remained her top choice and that if offered admission she would accept. I think this is very important and agree with fredfig on that. My daughter chose to do this through a handwritten thank you note rather than email–as a first step. She felt it was important to thank her rep and the admission director(?) who signed the waitlist letter. Being waitlisted was a blow but she was not denied and she was thankful for that and wanted to tell them. She thought a handwritten note would be appreciated and showed her continued interest. Later she would email her rep when something changed, something substantial, like winning state or earning other awards or honors. This she did via email. To her rep’s credit, she always emailed back even if to just say “thanks for the update”. The day my daughter had to commit to another school she emailed again to reiterate that ND was STILL her first choice–even though she was committing elsewhere. I think it is really important for the regional reps to KNOW this. When the spring/summer “melt” happens I am guessing the reps might have some “go-to” waitlisters—the ones who fit whatever needs they have to round out the class and who will more than likely accept an offer. I would not recommend writing another essay. I recommend open, honest communication about your more recent achievements (they already know your past achievements) and how these make you (still) a great fit for ND and how you are (still) excited to bring the–insert whatever it is-- to the ND community. If you are accepted you will be overnighted a financial aid package and so could still chose to decline the offer if you can’t swing it. For now, if you mean it, tell them ND is still your first choice and if you have new achievements tell your rep and then relate how these will make you an asset to the ND family. Good luck, it can happen–we are living proof of that!</p>
<p>my daughter was admitted off the waitlist 4 years ago and did the same --she also added another leteter of recommendation from a faculty member who knew her very well, it was very personal and included why he thought she would be a good fit for ND. Good luck!</p>
<p>I would be very careful though not to overdo it, as I’ve heard some feedback that too much information makes you come across as if you aren’t confident in your chances. But I agree with everything said above, they all make great points</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the advice! I really appreciate it :)</p>