<p>I was waitlisted at one of my top choice schools (Bates College). I'm hoping they will be taking applicants off their waitlist, and even though I need FA, I'd still like to accept a place. I'm planning on putting my deposit in at Bryn Mawr, which is definately a choice I'd be happy with, but I just want to give getting off the waitlist at Bates a shot. </p>
<p>So basically my question is, how do I go about communicating to Bates that I'd like to accept a place on the waitlist and ultimately get off the waitlist? I was planning on writing a letter stating that I'm still very interested in Bates and the only reason I was not able to apply ED was because of financial reasons. I also thought I'd attach a resume with new accomplishments and a letter of recomendation from a professor I had last semester in one of my dual enrollment classes. Would also calling them be excessive?</p>
<p>I'm pretty much just asking what the steps are to attempting to get off a waitlist... because I have no idea. I want to show Bates that they're my top choice, but I don't want to go overboard.</p>
<p>If you accept a place on the waitlist then they assume you’d like to be accepted. But certainly send any new info which increases your chances of being accepted. However, be realistic. The info from last years data set is:
Offered WL 947
Accepted WL 756
Accepted OFF WL 0</p>
<p>Most places have cads to send back accepting or declining a place on the wait list. You may also want to send a letter communicating, in a non-desperate way, that Bates is your top choice, and you will enroll if selected. Good luck!</p>
<p>erin’s dad- I did see that information on their website. In other years they accepted quite a few students off the waitlist, so I figured it would be worth trying.</p>
<p>Would submitting an additional rec like I stated in my post be going overboard? I don’t want to seem over-zealous…</p>
<p>Send in additional information. Show them you are very interested. What’s working against you is you need FA. Many schools will take kids off WL that do not need FA. I wouldn’t be surprised you were WL because of FA.</p>
<p>^Yeah, I figured my financial status would hurt my chances of getting off the waitlist. I really want to at least give it a shot though. I really like Bates. I was waitlisted at two other schools, but I wouldn’t even consider accepting spots on their waitlists.</p>
<p>Give your best shot - send in additional recs, awards, latest transcript, tell them why they are your first choice. You have nothing to lose right now.</p>
<p>It’s a good article about the waitlist. My son was rejected from pretty much everywhere except his absolute safety schools, and is pinning his hopes on one waitlist.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Claire1016–DO NOT worry about going overboard! All of the advice about waitlist is to be proactive–this is the time to show them that you really really care. Our college counselor recommends DEFINITELY calling, talking it through with your admissions rep, sending a letter, notifying them of new accomplishments, even getting another recommendation or two, if they want it. The waitlist success stories are filled with kids who made themselves noticeable (but not obnoxious), and who took the time to show the college they REALLY care–with the tiny percentages that are admitted off the waitlist, this is not the time to be shy and retiring! And here’s the advice link from right here on CC: [College</a> Admissions: Deferral and Waitlists](<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/deferral.htm]College”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/deferral.htm)</p>
<p>Write a letter, have your coumselor call and the move on in hopes of a nice surprise. In all reality, most kids needing aid will not get off waitlists at schools like Bates (not huge endowment) and most schools this year.</p>
<p>It’s so disheartening to hear about colleges not admitting students off the waitlist for FA reasons, but I’m going to give it a shot anyway. I’m 100% thrilled about my choice to attend Bryn Mawr, I’d just like to pursue this for my own reasons.</p>
Dude, don’t have your counselor call. That shows your laziness and dependency.
[/quote]
Strongly disagree with this. A counselor can often get more specific information about admission decisions than a student or parent, and having a counselor who feels strongly enough about you to go to bat for you can make a positive impression. Plus, a counselor can brag about you with impunity and remain credible. ;)</p>
<p>It is what GC is paid to do, it is another matter if he doesn’t care enough to do it. At our recent college night for 9th graders, GC said, “The results are in, our main focus now is to get our kids off WL…”</p>
<p>Our school sends about 4 people to schools better than UCB every year. GC’s are not even that familiar with the process, considering they don’t even have that many people applying to privates. Also, I was rejected after my GC called in to this one college after a SCEA deferral. The admissions officer told my GC that he wanted to see my science report. I mailed it in, and was still rejected March 31st. I really don’t know if I should approach my GC about making other phone calls for the four schools at which I’m waitlisted…</p>
<p>thanks for the advice guys, but i’m not sure i will ask my counselor to call. I mentioned bates to her a few times before, and she had never even heard of it. She’s a nice lady, but definately a little clueless. I’m afraid a call from her may hurt more than it would help. :(</p>
<p>I was also waitlisted at Bates and in need of FA. I’m glad to find someone else in the same situation. So have you sent in a letter yet saying you want to stay on it? I’m reluctant to do so because the chances are so low, but I love Bates a great deal and it is my first choice. </p>
<p>The financial aid situation is so frustrating!</p>
And here’s the advice link from right here on CC: [College</a> Admissions: Deferral and Waitlists](<a href=“