Wait listed, then rejected

I applied for UChicago’s non binding early action and was wait listed and they reconsidered my application with the Regular decision pool. I sent an email to my counselor adding more detail as to why I want to attend UChicago, and I thought I would get accepted because maybe the Early Action pool was much stronger, and so if they still wanted to consider me for Regular Decision, then I had a chance. However, I found out I did not get accepted and it was my top school. Is there anything I can do to try and change their mind? Or do I accept it and move on? All advice is helpful!

Accept it and move on. I’m sure you applied to other schools?

I did, the reason I asked is because my high school had a group called TorchPrep come and talk to us sophomore year and the speaker shared an anecdote about his brother who did not get accepted by Harvard but he sent emails and went to the school and convinced them to admit him. For all I know, that speaker could have been lying but his story gave me hope that maybe there was something I could do.

Move on.

I’ve never heard of reconsiderations working at selective private colleges. I think an appeals process exists within some public university systems, but I would be very, very suspicious about any anecdote someone related to you about his brother. University of Chicago had plenty of time to review your application. They reject thousands of accomplished applicants every year. Good luck with your other colleges.

To clarify… you were deferred in Early Action and then reconsidered in Regular Decision. UChicago waitlisted a lot of applicants, so I think they have a pretty big back-up list. I think it’s very unlikely that you’d be admitted at this point. I’m sorry that you are disappointed and I wish you the best with your other admission decisions.

Waitlist is different from deferred.