Wait-Listed? Post questions/answers regarding this entire situation!

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey, so I've been wait-listed at two colleges now- SUNY Binghamton and Syracuse University, and I just have a feq eustions regarding the "wait-list" decision. Just a few questions:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>I've read about hundreds of people sending in TONS of additional information after being wait-listed, such as additional recs, letters, essays, and updated grades. Now my question is; If a college tells you that none of these will increase your chances of getting off of the wait-list, why do people do it? I know that it wouldn't really hurt to send in any additional info, but is it true that the Admissions Counselors will view this negatively, and start to think you're desperate?</p></li>
<li><p>If it isn't the case, who would we send all of these items to? I've heard we should send one to the actual Admissions Office, and one to the Dean of Admissions, do we just send in the same copy of a letter to both?</p></li>
</ul>

<p>-I've also heard that having your Gudiance Counselor helps VERY much. Do we just simply tell our guidance counselors to give them a call, and explain how much of a passion we have for the school? I'm confused as to what they should be talking about, do guidance counselors already know how to go along with the conversation?</p>

<p>-Also, many people actually call the Admission Office/schedule to meet an Admissions Counselor in-person, and talk to them. What do you actually talk about? Do we simply tell them how much we'd go to the school if we were accepted, etc.?</p>

<p>-Lastly, I just need a few pointers on how to 'start' the essay/letter. I can easily go along from there, but I honestly just don't know how I should start. Can someone give me an actuale example in words, or anything of that sort? Or examples of actual letters would be REALLY helpful, because I could start writing my letter from there!</p>

<p>Thanks a lot! I know it's a long thread, but I just need these questions answered because of the situation I'm in and stuff =/. If anyone else has questions regarding the "Wait-list" decision, feel free to post them!</p>

2

<p>I've been waitlisted at a lot of schools and I got the impression that sending them stuff was a plus, but if they told you specifically not to send it, then I wouldn't.</p>

3

<p>I also have a question about wait listing. My daughter has been wait-listed at two schools - UPenn and Boston College - and "sort of" wait-listed at a third school, Brandeis, where she was accepted as of the SPRING 2009 term instead of the Fall 2008 semester.</p>

<p>Since the Spring 2009 acceptance is a sure thing, she is tempted to take that, but I'm skeptical because she will miss out on entering college with the rest of her class and, in all likelihood, will graduate a semester late as well. She is not at all interested in her other three acceptances - SUNY Binghamton, American University & Emory.</p>

<p>Any advice for getting off of the Spring 2009 wait list and onto the regular admission schedule? With all of the students on the UPenn and BC wait lists, I'm thinking she cannot count on either of them but if anyone thinks otherwise please let me know.</p>

4

<p>They haven't really specified not sending it, they just said that it wouldn't really increase your chances, etc. What would that count as?</p>

<p>Also, I read this somewhere: </p>

<p>"One other thing (assuming it is true) is that you can put a line in your letter that "school X is my top choice, and if I am accepted off the waitlist I will enroll". Its risky because you might not get financial aid, and you might only hear from them a few weeks before school starts."</p>

<p>Can anyone explain that to me? Can't we simply write that on both of our letters to two different colleges, on how "X school is my top choie, and if I am accepted off of the waitlist I will enroll?" Don't really understand how/why we can't say it on both letters to two different colleges?</p>

5

<p>There's nothing stopping you from saying that you will enroll off both lists, especially since there are very slim odds that you'll get off both waitlists. But I wouldn't say that both schools are you first choice.</p>

6

<p>HarvardonHudson, Brandeis mid-years apparently are welcomed with open arms. Check the Brandeis board for more info, but I'm pretty sure they're not shunned. Have your daughter turn down Emory ASAP so they can go to the waitlist-- some of us are waiting rather desperately!</p>

7

<p>Is there any possible way in checking to see if the letters/essays have been sent to the correct person/Admissions Office? Do we simply call them and ask, or do we just assume they've received it? I don't want to sound too desperate or anything =/</p>

8

<p>I emailed all my letters so far. And recs were mailed by the respective individuals. Should I mail a hard copy as well of my letter?</p>

9

<p>I'll probably do both just in case, don't really want to risk my colleges losing anything.</p>

<p>Is it bad/can you get in trouble for simply saying that two different colleges are your "first choice" in a letter/essay, and that you would go there if accepted?</p>

10

<p>are students who are accpeted for spring 2009 admission moved up to fall 2008 admissions ahead of people who are waitlisted (for fall) if an opening become available???</p>