<p>Hey guys, I just started this thread for students who got waitlisted, so those who have input regarding how to get off the waitlist, please post here. I just noticed that there seem to be an awful lot of waitlist threads on CC this week - perhaps now we can collectively learn from each other's stories and ideas! :)</p>
<p>Futureboarder posted this elsewhere and I think it bears repeating (nice job @futureboarder!):</p>
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<p>Futureboarder/Exie - much more informative waitlist letter than we received from Brooks. Ours was rather curt, of course I am rather sensitive at the moment. </p>
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<p>Actually, your letter was nice. Read it again when things have settled. It may not be a promise of a spot, but it’s a compliment about your child and expresses what my hubby is going through now that his school’s list is done. It also helps them know if they need to hurry a decision if you have other offers. </p>
<p>Want to see curt? (or cruel?) Ask someone to share the contents of a Lawrenceville rejection letter --ouch! It takes “we’re just not that into your kid” attitude to a whole new level.</p>
<p>bump (ten char)</p>
<p>Both were considerate WL letters from Choate and Brooks! I believe that it’s during the end of the admission journey that schools reveal their true colors. The manner in which schools choose to reject/WL their applicants demonstrates their values for families and their children. Rejection is always difficult, regardless of age or stage, but how it is done speaks volumes for the schools. Our RL WL letter was short but sweet; instead of tears from son, it made him smile with hope.</p>
<p>Thanks - I have read the letter again with new eyes and you are right - it isn’t so bad. </p>
<p>I guess my thoughts went directly to the March 27 and April 11 dates and thought - how can we wait SO LONG and how can we not be upfront with the school (s) that deserve to know before or at least by April 10.</p>
<p>We’ve given our son a few days to reflect seriously on the schools he was accepted to and the 2WL. He will have to decide quickly whether or not to pursue a WL. He had hoped to revisit - but since that won’t happen I’ve encouraged him to review their materials, websites, curriculum, sports… communicate with any contacts he has at those schools as present students or graduates to discuss academics and community life. He does ‘love the school that loves him’ so that is a great position to be in… it just was not #1.</p>
<p>How to get off the waitlist? It helps to show that you are still sincerely interested. Write a letter to the one school that you’d absolutely attend if admitted. Express why their school is still your first choice. If and when this school goes to its waitlist, it’ll help admissions to make their decisions. Don’t write this letter to every school you were waitlisted at.</p>
<p>Should the letter be sent as an email attachment (fastest - but too informal?) or should it be sent “hard copy” via priority, etc? Any advice/counsel?</p>
<p>(just a personal opinion) Hard copy, regular mail. Thank them, acknowledge the hard work involved, explain why the school is your top choice and give a detail or two to illustrate your point (what you loved, how you could contribute, etc.) A letter is tangible and can’t be lost in a flood of inbox emails. Follow up a few weeks later or close to April 10th with an email. </p>
<p>DO NOT write novel length requests. Keep it short, and succinct.</p>
<p>I second exiemitalum on everything; short, sweet, regular mail, hard copy. Not only about how much you love the school and can see yourself there, but also what you would add to the community.</p>
<p>Thanks Exie Alum. My son was w/l at Choate and we feel two of the reasons he was not accepted was that his sister was at another HADES school now, and that we requested financial aid. I already sent an email rescinding my request for financial aid (we’ll make it work somehow), and will send another letter letting them know that our son was always more interested in Choate (something he did not communicate at the interview). We’ll send in his last term grades as well. Thanks for all your good advice. This board makes me feel less alone in this.</p>
<p>Last year this board kept me sane. Happy to pay it forward. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey guys… I was waitlisted for a lot of schools, and I really want to get off the waitlist. BUT I don’t exactly have a first choice; I have 4 schools I really, really like EQUALLY. So should I just send a letter to every school bringing up points I liked specifically about their school?</p>
<p>what exactly is a novel length response to a waitlist letter?</p>
<p>helang425, personally, I would not do that. What I think you should do is spend some more time researching and then make a final decision. Also, you might want to go with the school that you believe you have the best chance of getting off of.</p>
<p>I just wanted to bump this for timmy03114…</p>
<p>Do you know that if Deerfield turns to the Wait list usually? I am currently wait listed and I really want to attend there. Do you know the current status for deerfield?</p>
<p>@timmy-Did you get the letter from Deerfield? If you haven’t, I’ll just tell you the basics. Deerfield is full at this time. However, they do lose some people to attrition. They probably won’t contact you until mid-June at the earliest.</p>
<p>Im on the Peddie Waitlist, did anyone get any calls yet?</p>