<p>I was waitlisted for UVA. Do I still have a chance of getting in at this point? How many people are generally admitted from the waitlist for UVA, and how many people are put on the waiting list? Thank you.</p>
<p>I think the most they have admitted is just under 300. I could be off but I think that is about right. They put probably 4,000 on the wait list initially, and it gets whittled down to 3,000 or less by people removing themselves.</p>
<p>Let me state for the record that I am not an authority on this, but these are the rough numbers I have seen. I think Dean J has the numbers from last year on her blog.</p>
<p>Statistically the chances are usually less than 10%, but who knows, with so many applications this year, maybe they are better.</p>
<p>From the 2011-12 Common Data Set:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>[Common</a> Data Set: Institutional Assessment and Studies, University of Virginia](<a href=“http://www.web.virginia.edu/iaas/datacatalog/cds/admission.shtm]Common”>http://www.web.virginia.edu/iaas/datacatalog/cds/admission.shtm)</p>
<p>Thank you guys!</p>
<p>No problem. Watch Dean J’s blog, [Notes</a> from Peabody: The UVA Application Process](<a href=“http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/]Notes”>http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/) , for the latest information and stats. As she gets data and updates that’s the first place she’ll update. You can also look to blog posts from last year this time to get an idea of what to expect. There’s also a handy search feature (upper right) to search key words or phrases through old blog posts.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>All-</p>
<p>I haven’t been on CC in a while, and at this point probably have no business being here. But as someone whose family has had some experience in U-Va admissions, I thought I might offer some perspective and advice. </p>
<p>First, the background. I’m the parent of two U-Va students. One graduated several years ago. The other is a current student. U-Va was the first choice for both. The first applied during the last year of the school’s early decision program. She was deferred ED but admitted in April. The second applied RD a couple of years ago, as there was no ED or EA program. She was waitlisted but admitted in June of her senior year, right before graduation.</p>
<p>Second, the advice. After receiving the initial “bad” news, both students wrote careful, well considered, and HONEST letters to the Dean of Admissions making clear not only that U-Va was her first choice but also explaining WHY. While it’s not exactly relevant here, my older daughter (the deferred one) specifically asked then Dean Blackburn (who was a gem) what she could do to improve her prospects, while my younger daughter made clear to Dean Roberts (also a gem) that if she were admitted she absolutely would attend. And she meant it. Both students received personal responses from the dean, and I am pretty confident that in the end their letters made a difference. </p>
<p>Third, the perspective. If it’s one thing that I’ve learned and witnessed through the process, it’s that U-Va means it when they say they do not make admissions decisions on test scores alone. I’m not suggesting that test scores do not or should not count at all – they certainly do, and should – but not so much that a student with a 2350 should be guaranteed a bump over a student with a 2100, or the student with the 2100 should necessarily be bumped ahead of the applicant with a 1950. Why? Not only because ALL of these scores are very good, but because NONE of these scores is a precise statement of the student’s actual ability. This is why scores are reported in RANGES. Too many students and their parents mistakenly attach a precision to test scores that does not exist.</p>
<p>Test scores considered together with actual academic performance in high school by a student who is also actively involved in extracurricular activities collectively provide the complete story of a student who is most likely to thrive in college. You don’t have to be all-state in track and field; you don’t have to be the class president; you don’t have to have cured cancer in high school. But you do have to have done something outside the classroom (volunteer or, if you need money, work) to demonstrate that you have what it takes not only to handle the rigors of college life but to actually contribute to it. I cannot see how a selective university like Virginia, which has so many applicants, can reasonably make admissions decisions in any other way. </p>
<p>Good luck to everyone in the waitlist process.</p>
<p>Really excellent observations and post, novaparent. Thank you for your comments.</p>
<p>For students on the wait list, I would suggest not only writing about your strong interest, but also to provide a concise update of any recent achievements. </p>
<p>However, even if the U. really wants to admit a student from the wait list, there may not be room. There is an in-state and an out-state wait list for each school, and last year there wasn’t much room left on most of the lists.</p>
<p>Good advice, charlie. I agree. Concise being the operative word.</p>
<p>In the long run, there is only so much you can do. Last year my S was an OOS legacy, who was accepted to the other top 3 USNEWS state schools (Berkeley, UCLA, Michigan, OOS for all), but waitlsted at UVA. Despite all of the above moves (e.g. note to Dean stating that he would attend UVA for sure if admitted), he did not get off the wait list, even after hanging on untill it was released. So I would add that in addition to doing all the things mentioned above, the most important thing is to be ready with a backup that will work. He is now quite happy at Cornell, although I must admit that I had a hard time bringing myself to cheer for the Hoos this year.</p>
<p>UVADAD81, I agree with you as well. There’s only so much that you can do. Still, if U-Va is truly at the top of an applicant’s list, and with good reason, there’s no downside and potentially a big upside to sending a letter telling the dean why – then moving on. You never know what might happen. In both of my daughters’ cases they had great alternatives available, and I am sure each would have thrived at them, but in the end U-Va did come calling, much to everyone’s surprise.</p>
<p>novaparent- I totally agree with you. But I can also tell you that being on the wait list at the one school that you really want to attend, and thinking you have a good shot, is a long and painful process, and kids need to work out other viable options ASAP. In our case, we spoke with a decision dean right after the WL notification to see what could be done to help his application, and we were told that he was “virtually right on the cusp”, that his grades and letter were great and didn’t needed to be bolstered- and that he should just to let the Dean know that UVA is still his top choice and sit tight, which he did. It just didn’t work out.</p>
<p>So I would add to do everything that you suggest, but to also realize that the odds of a successful outcome are slim, and have another option that you feel good about.</p>
<p>Thankfully D went the LAC early decision route this year- quick and painless!</p>
<p>@novamom</p>
<p>How did you find the dean of admissions? Should I contact Dean Roberts as well?</p>
<p>@nickrocks123</p>
<p>When did you receive your “waitlist” decision? And was it available online on the 23rd of March? Or was it a physical letter sent out on the 26th. My DD received only the physical letter, that’s why I was asking.</p>
<p>UVADAD81, I was in the same situation as you were last year. My son is a second year student at UVA and my daughter was wait listed last year. Both were legacy as I attended as an OOS many years ago. It was an arduous process to say the least! In the end, she was not admitted. I heard through the grapevine, that very few if any were admitted OOS off the wait list. That said, she is very happy at the small liberal arts college she is attending. My feeling is things work out for the best and students end up where they were meant to be. It certainly has worked out very well for my daughter even though I would have loved for her to attend UVA. Who knows what is the right choice/environment for one’s child? I have learned much through this process…</p>
<p>My son was deferred EA and then wait listed RD. He has luckily moved on and is excited to visit the school that he has chosen. But, I have to agree with you. It’s been an eye opening experience and if I could advise any parents and students that are coming up behind us, hold on because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.</p>