Waitlisted: Anything I can do?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey guys, so I was waitlisted at Cornell, Rice and WashU. I really want to get off the waitlist at either Cornell or Rice so I can attend one of those two. Yes, I know my chances are slim, and I'm to register at a college I've been accepted at too (I'm not putting all my eggs in the waitlist basket). But I've called both their admissions offices, and I spoke with an admissions officer at Cornell. She said that I've shown plenty of interest by calling, and by planning to send a letter along with an additional letter of recommendation (which I'm going to do within the next week). However, I was never able to speak with a Rice admissions officer, but I'm going to be calling them again next week.</p>

<p>Now, here's where I have a few questions. If I was lucky enough to get off the waitlist at both universities, I would rather go to Cornell. However, I know Cornell didn't accept ANYBODY off the waitlist last year, and Rice accepted almost 30. So in my letter, I'm telling Rice that if I get in, I will enroll (and don't get me wrong, I would be super lucky to go to Rice, it's an amazing place). Is this the right thing to do? Also, is there anything further I can do to show interest in each campus? Thanks.</p>

2

<p>The best way to get off any waitlist is to be full pay.</p>

<p>…</p>

3

<p>The colleges might not use their waitlists if they guessed their yields correctly. Only if they have a shortage of admits matriculating will they use their waitlists.</p>

<p>So don’t count on them. Just make plans to attend some school that admitted you.</p>

4

<p>@CSIHSIS: I was thinking of reminding them that I need very little to no financial aid, but my counselor told me it wouldn’t matter because they’re need blind and admissions is separate from fin. aid</p>

<p>@ucbalumnus: I’m aware. I was accepted to two other very good engineering colleges and I’m going to make my decision between them. I just wanted to know if there was anything more I could do.</p>