<p>Doing something noteworthy can also help. I can think of one kid wait-listed at 4 Ivies--yes, 4. He came in 2nd nationally in the Chemistry Olympiad, notified all 4 colleges, and was admitted by 3 of the 4. A kid who made Presidential Scholar--the national one--got off the wait list at a top school. </p>
<p>Obviously, there are no guarantees, but if you're participating in some major event in the future, success can turn a wait list to admit.</p>
<p>Here's a link to a CC thread that has some wait list stats for prior years</p>
<p>The use of wait lists by any college can vary greatly from year to year.</p>
<p>To look up the wait list stats for yourself you can visit the schools common data set, if they have it posted. Here's the thread with links to the CDS. Page 14 has the latest links. <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=76444&page=14%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=76444&page=14</a></p>
<p>How to find Waitlist Info.
Look at the Colleges Common Data Set Information.</p>
<p>I find the Common Data Set information by going to a College's web site and using their websites Search tool to look for "Common Data Set".</p>
<p>If the College Makes them available, there are usually a few years of them available.
Look at Section C - First Year, First Time Freshman Admission.</p>
<p>There is lots of info there on the incoming class for that year, including the wait-list info.</p>
<p>jonri, sort of suggests those schools misread the students in the first round and only realize it when hit over the head with obvious awards</p>
<p>No...it often has to do with filling the necessary slots in the admissions needs profile, and has absolutely nothing to do with student updates, letters, scrapbooks, awards, or what-not.</p>
<p>If the 2nd oboist turns them down, they are going to accept the next-best oboist off the waiting list, regardless of how much noise the would be trumpeter has made.</p>
<p>well, I can understand avoiding a glut of oboists but do they settle for just a pair of einsteins? what are they building, a class or an ark?</p>
<p>This has got to be a really tough year. I am hearing of waitlists at public colleges. One of the colleges my D was accepted to has a waitlist and some are even "select" waitlisted with spots guaranteed for Spring of 2008! All the school does is constantly send you reminders so that you can reply and keep on the list.</p>
<p>'well, I can understand avoiding a glut of oboists but do they settle for just a pair of einsteins? what are they building, a class or an ark?"</p>
<p>Maybe if the einstein can yodel...</p>
<p>
[quote]
I later found that there was a lot more going on than I could have ever imagined.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Mini, care to elaborate? You piqued my curiosity!</p>
<p>Let's just say that I am old enough to have inhabited the age of religious quotas.</p>
<p>they were one Quaker short of a full deck?</p>
<p>We don't call it 'quota' anymore. The term is 'diversity' ;)</p>
<p>Actually, lack thereof.</p>
<p>"they were one Quaker short of a full deck?"</p>
<p>Friendlydom came later (though I did learn to eat hamburgers on white bread while in college.)</p>
<p>I of course realized it was your jewdom they required</p>
<p>by the way, does Quakercuisine exceed Hebrewfare?</p>
<p>"I of course realized it was your jewdom they required."</p>
<p>(or didn't...but saved by my last name and my major...)</p>
<p>"by the way, does Quakercuisine exceed Hebrewfare?"</p>
<p>Quakercuisine is a crock(pot).</p>
<p>mini, they were one Jew short of a minyan?</p>
<p>My d got those letters last year. She took it as one step higher than rejection, my aunt and uncle thought it was a great piece of news- she qualified for their school if only they had spaces. There was one she really wanted to go to, a top LAC, and we visited- she wrote a letter all to no avail. They told her they would take more than 10 and less than 100 but ended up taking no one. My advice, plan on that it's a rejection and if anything else happens, be shocked.</p>
<p>a minyan is the number of Jews required for a prayer service.</p>
<p>"mini, they were one Jew short of a minyan?"</p>
<p>Percentagewise, that is exactly right, and I have a very funny story to go with, but not just now.</p>
<p>Originaloog posted
[quote]
If colleges need to control the numbers of the freshman class, admitting students from the wait list seems the best way to achieve this.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>At this point, a spot on a priority or even regular wait list sends a signal to many students that hope springs eternal, especially because, on the student end, the wait list depends so much on the luck of the draw and competition for just a few, if any, slots that still have to be filled. Is it worth the gamble to be aggressive and send in a barrage of updates and letters or is it wiser to stand pat and take a wait and see "I'll be shocked" if it comes through approach?</p>
<p>I suppose that, like many other things in this whole process, it depends on the school. My d was waitlisted at a reach school. The FAQ they sent with the waitlist, specifically said:</p>
<p>
[quote]
As stated earlier, letting us know if [college] is your first choice is a good idea. You may also submit additional information (new grades, new scores, honors earned, etc.) for the admissions committee to review if you wish. However, it is NOT a good idea to embark on a "campaign" to gain admission, soliciting numerous letters of support or asking all of your friends and teacher to call!
[/quote]
</p>
<p>At this point, unless there's something amazing that happens, if d decides to stay on the waitlist, she may send 3rd quarter grades if they're good, but other than that, I'll advise her to forget about it and plan as if she's going to whichever other school she chooses. Then she's not in limbo, and if she gets off the waitlist, then we'll worry about choices.</p>