Waitlist Essay?

<p>I got waitlisted and I really want to send in a “Why BC?” essay, but they said they only want grades. Would I be looked down on if I sent in the essay?</p>

<p>If they explicitly say no, it's probably better to just keep it that way. Send in your grades, and cross your fingers. BC tends to be one of those schools where they could care less if you are really interested in their school or not. They receive so many applications anyways, so it is understandable.</p>

<p>It actually may work against you. In fact, BC's admissions site says not to include extra stuff...(quite different from other schools who are typically thrilled to get a better idea about their applicants.) My oldest S has done some remarkable things that have been covered by the media. When he applied to BC, they were not interested in seeing any of his work (Oprah was interested...but not BC). We sent it anyway. He was ranked 5th of 500, with solid scores, grades, 10 AP/Honors courses and so on... He did not get in. I believe they receive as many or more applications than Harvard. That is a lot of work for an admissions team.</p>

<p>09ddarr, why BC? I was wondering...?</p>

<p>I have a question about the waitlist:</p>

<p>Let's say a school has 2000 kids on the waitlist. When kids respond back, 100 spots open up. Let's say 80 of those 100 kids say they want to attend, and the other 20 decide not. Do these 20 unfilled spots go unfilled or will they offer these to students until all the spots are taken? Thanks!</p>

<p>I'm considering retaking the sat? Should I?</p>

<p>They said they're only looking at grades, so I doubt this would help you much. By all means, if it did, I would certainly consider taking them again myself seeing as I think I could represent myself much better. But I could be wrong. Does anyone have a definite answer?</p>

<p>I wouldn't seriously bother retaking the SAT. I don't think they really put that great of an emphasis on it. People with 1600's have gotten in.</p>

<p>SBtestser, the whole point of having a wait list is so the college can be sure that all of the spots in its freshman class are filled (in order to maximize tuition revenue). So if 20 people on the wait list are offered a spot but turn it down (perhaps because they have already selected another school), then the school would just go the next 20 people on the wait list and offer the slots to them.</p>

<p>Ah, excellent! I'm presuming that more students than in the past would not go because of the economy, so there's a little more hope there too i guess. Just another fun couple months of waiting! [/sarcasm]</p>

<p>i guess...but whats the point. the next test you can take is in may and by then they will tell you if your in or not...its kinda too late right?</p>

<p>^ Yeah very good point</p>

<p>no no difinitive answer till July. They won't tell you anything by may</p>

<p>They said they'll tell us by June 1st</p>

<p>Actually it said July 1st.</p>

<p>Aw crap you're right... just another month of waiting...</p>

<p>I definitely would not waste my money re-taking the SAT. A kid I know somehow got in with an SAT in the 1400s, and that is out of 2400.</p>

<p>Maybe it's my last name that kept me from getting rejected...
Carroll
and yes, I applied to CSOM ;)</p>

<p>BCs admissions process seems a bit "off." Per these posts, there does not seem to be any pattern to their acceptance/decline/waitlist choices. If this was a college/university that stronly focused on the composition of its student body, I don't think you would find these very peculiar diversity in the reported admission stats. Granted we are not seeing the applications just reports from folks on here and the school is massive and receives a very large number of apps. My S's friend's waitlist letter even seemed to imply that they were forced to sacrifice class composition due to the number of applications being processed. My advice to my S's friend was to take a long look at the "Why" he wants to attend this school as compared to others on his list. If the answer to "why" is just reputation or label do some more research...and then ask again. Also, ask yourself, where you feel the most welcome, where is the best "home" for you... and let a little pride into your thoughts: Do you want to attend a school that did not put you into their first string...? Hope some of this helps! Best wishes and good luck to all!</p>

<p>Dear EmptyNestToBe : Regarding your quote - ... and let a little pride into your thoughts: Do you want to attend a school that did not put you into their first string...?</p>

<p>College admissions is a competition at every school. It does not matter the round in which you gained acceptance, it only matters that you cleared the bar at the school you want to attend.</p>

<p>The problem with doing analysis from CC postings is what you do not see : recommendation letters (everyone reports them as strong), the actual student essay (was it readable?), and the completeness of activities/accomplishments. You also do not see special needs that the school might have in a given year. (Did the band need a tuba player? Was the crew team in need of a rower?)</p>

<p>While we try to draw themes to a given class's admissions process, the truth is that across 30,000 applications and 7,000 acceptances, you are going to see a range of reasons why someone was accepted. After all, who wants to attend a university where everyone had a 36 on their ACT if come Saturday night no one wants to do anything?</p>