<p>"Two, I called Penn (just to see if they could tell me anything), and they said they won't be taking people off until the end of May."</p>
<p>At least this indicates that they are taking more than one...</p>
<p>^^ lol...yeah that's probably a good sign</p>
<p>My dad, although he didn't go there, has many connections at Penn. One of his friends is meeting with Lee Stetson on my behalf. Does this help, and to what to degree?</p>
<p>"Penn usually has waitlist spots because there are always those who are going to choose HYP ect over it or aother school of similar ranking/prestige ect or other schools. Because they are a bigger sized school they will have some spots."</p>
<p>This is totally wrong - waitlist spots arise when they overestimate the yield. They figure each year that around 66% of applicants accept (including nearly all EDs - if you figure that only half the applicants are RD, the RD yield is much lower - around 50% ). This is why they accept around 3600 people for around 2400 spots. Say the actual RD yield is 49% instead of 50% - now they have 24 empty spots. The yield each year is pretty constant but it can fluctuate by a couple of %. Every school can do this whether they are #1 (I think Harvard has around an 80% yield with no ED) or #99, whether they admit 100 people or 10,000.</p>
<p>Rooney - it definitely doesn't hurt but it's not like Stetson can just put your name down on his list and you're in - there's a whole process involved. It also depends who your father's friend is and how much $ he gives to Penn and how seriously he takes this "meeting" - a lot of people like to BS and overstate their connections. And even if this guy had such connections, there's a limited # of favors you can use up - is he going to use it on you, who he barely knows? If Stetson asks something about you, can he really answer? </p>
<p>If you are already high up on the waitlist you may get in and you'll never know how much influence was exercised. If you're not, then it's unlikely that having your cousin's grandfather's friend's brother talking to Lee Stetson will raise you from the bottom of the pile to the top. But it couldn't hurt, I guess.</p>
<p>Yes, they overestimte the yield, but what I mean is that they assume a certain percentage turn them down to go elsewhere and sometimes the number is higher</p>
<p>That's what "overestimating the yield" means. The yield + the attrition (the go elsewhere %) together add up to 100% so if you overestimate the yield you've by definition underestimated the attrition (and vice versa).</p>
<p>Hmm. So does anyone know how we'll find out the verdict? By letter, e-mail, phone? Do they notify you if you are accepted and denied?</p>
<p>ok now I'm nervous.. So if they call me, I have to say yes or no immediately!! That makes it hard.. </p>
<p>What if they get the answering machine? Do they wait for you to call back or do they just move on to the next person on the waitlist?</p>
<p>You know initially I was a little excited about the prospect of getting off the waitlist, but gradually reality hit me and I moved on. </p>
<p>Being waitlisted at Wharton, I've considered these things. Wharton is without question the #1 undergraduate business program, so the number of people turning down admission offers will be drastically less than for other undergraduate colleges at Penn. The same logic applies to people staying on the waitlist for Wharton compared to other Penn colleges. </p>
<p>So basically, more waitlist applicants, fewer waitlist spots = if you get in, ur one very very lucky guy/girl. </p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>My friend last year got in off the waitlist for Wharton. So it's possible.</p>
<p>Just in reply to the "what happens when you get off" question:</p>
<p>I've read a lot of places that you receive a phone call (and actually experienced it with Cornell...where I'm probably going...but I still have hope for the rest of you guys waitlisted at Penn so I'll help if I can) from someone in admissions telling you that you're being offered a place. You can answer immediately if you're sure, but they'll give you a few days to think it over (I was called on Friday and she said to let her know by Tuesday). You can call the financial aid office if that's a factor in your decision. Once you let them know that you're going, then they send you the admission packet. It's all about yield. Colleges want the highest yield (number of people who accept their offer), so with the waitlist, they won't actually give you a position until they're certain you'll accept. Good luck, those of you on the waitlist!</p>
<p>I heard they wont know for about another week if they are going to the waitlist</p>
<p>Ughhh, I wish Penn would hurry up already! I got off the waitlist at Williams, but I'm still holding on to that teeny bit of hope that Wharton'll come through...</p>
<p>And when I got my call, I wasn't there and it went to the answering machine--I called back the next morning and he asked me if I was still interested, and then mentioned that I should send in my deposit within five days or so after I get my packet.</p>
<p>collegebound5, </p>
<p>Just curious, but how do you know this information about the waitlist status at penn?</p>
<p>I can affirm collegebound5's statement.
I called and found out. I'm assuming he/she found it out the same way.</p>
<p>Yes, I found out the same way</p>
<p>Last year, the first people that got off the waitlist on CC first heard around May 13-18, so that would be consistent with "about another week."</p>
<p>Do you think that those who get off the waitlist get the worst housing? ie. never get the quad?</p>
<p>depends i guess... if you are picked by may 18th and hurry up - it won't make a difference, if you are picked on june 30th though - you probably take the spot from someone who decided to pick another wait list offer and take over his housing spot (at least I could imagine)</p>