Hey College Confidential, I was waitlisted to Lehigh and I’m kind of in a struggle… It’s my top choice but I couldn’t apply ED because i’m in high need and wasn’t sure I would get the aid, and even though I have above average stats for Lehigh I’m really concerned my financial need is going to dissipate any chance I still have to get accepted. I’ve committed to the waitlist and the spring option, and sent a letter but seeing the waitlist stats from years past make me so nervous and I’m being advised by parents and friends to just “pretend as if you got rejected” but it’s really hard to because I would love to go there?? I’m not really sure if I should wait it out but I also don’t want to get my hopes up too much?
Any advise from Lehigh waitlisted students from previous years or really any waitlisting experiences would be graciously accepted. <3
Much love!
(A few exceptional details: Female majoring in Math (specifically stat interest), OOS Florida, <64k income, 33 ACT, 14 APs; accepted to NYU stern, UM, Fordham Honors)
Whether you get into Lehigh depends a lot on the decisions of the currently admitted students.
Still, to improve your chances, I would let them know that it is your top choice. I would even let them know where else you were admitted and, explain why you still think Lehigh is the right place for you (a great answer is important). I would share any new developments that might impress them (such as good grades they haven’t seen yet). I would even ask if it is possible to get an interview. If you are able to get one, it can help distinguish you from others on the wait list.
Basically, you want to be the positive, assertive, well-qualified, squeaky wheel, while stopping short of the point where you become annoying.
Please don’t get your hopes up; from what I understand the waitlist is need-aware and they try to take students off the waitlist who do not need financial aid. My nephew is in the same position as you. He did let them know Lehigh is his first choice, but he knows he probably will not get in, unfortunately.
Does anyone know anything about the spring semester offer? I know it’s a very few margin of the waitlist accepted; is that need blind?
The spring semester offer is not need-blind. They try to fill it with full-pay students.
“The spring semester offer is not need-blind. They try to fill it with full-pay students.”
They probably lean that way, but there are other criteria they are looking for too. Those criteria can be whatever they wanted more of in the class they built for fall, but did not get. Those targeted traits can vary from year to year.
They say they have no more financial aid available.
@Much2learn that is not what the AO said to my nephew- she came right out and said they want choose students off the wait list that are full pay.