Scottj:
Welcome back. Your contributions were always valued by many and were missed.
Waitlisted BC applicants:
Please take Scottj’s above waitlist advice seriously.
Because the chances of getting off the waitlist are low, and because anything related to getting off the waitlist is out of your control, it’s time to focus you energy on the schools you’ve been accepted to.
Here is a great CC link from a few years back providing a comprehensive assessment of what it means to be on a waitlist for a competitive school. It’s well worth reading.
@iloveBCiloveBC It does not matter when you accept the wait list or send us an e-mail. We recommend the initial e-mail be sent in the next week. Being the first or last to accept your spot on the wait list makes no difference.
@ocomea15 E-mail is easier for us to track, and we like to pay attention to which students on the waitlist have e-mailed us. New recommendations are not frowned upon, but if they contain no new substantial information, they will not add anything substantial.
also waitlisted with 2160 SAT score and 3.88 GPA/4
How can I really express my strong continuous interest in the school besides sending in the standard waitlist letter and recommendations? It’s my top choice and if admitted theres a 100% chance of attendance
Dear aphro24 : Your post actually answers your own question. You asked “How can I express my strong continuous interest?” You started by answering that BC is your top choice and you would 100% attend. Good start. The question is why do you have BC as the top choice? Do not answer that question with standard responses like “it is a great school and I could learn so much there”. Instead, why do you think you would make Boston College a better institution by attending? Think about it - therein lies the answer to a truly compelling continuing interest letter. Good luck.
welcome back, scottj. This thread definitely needs your wise counsel.
aphro: most folks make the mistake in a LOCI of telling a college why it is so awesome, i.e., what it already knows. To paraphrase JFK: think not what your ‘college’ can do for you, but what you can do for the the college. In other words, try to write about why you are a good fit for BC. What do you bring to the mosaic of students?
Hi, I confirmed my spot on the waiting list last week. On Sunday I sent an email to my regional rep stating my strong interest to attend BC. I have not heard back from him. I know they are busy but how do I make sure he got my email?
Dear Thewait and ocomea15 : Your e-mails were most certainly received to express your on-going interest. During rh second half of April, you can be “aggressive” and phone your regional rep to provide one final reminder.
However, your most important task now is not circling a date on the calendar for a second follow-up, but rather looking at your acceptance list and decide your top choice. With Easter/Passover break coming this week, perhaps some college visits to make a final decision is needed. You MUST move past the “wishing phase” for Boston College and instead deal with the reality at hand.
I apologize sincerely for this in-your-face discussion knowing the emotion tied to the decision process, but recognize that everything is now out of your hands. Time to focus on the parameters that you do control - and those are largely outside of the Boston College community at this point.
@scottj trust me I’ve moved on (for the most part haha)! Actually just paid my deposit at Penn State and will be very happy there if BC doesn’t work out. I’m just trying to increase my chances as much as possible! And once again, thanks for your good advice, it’s appreciated!
@scottj Thanks for the advice. I am visiting UNC Chapel Hill and BU in the next couple of weeks. Just want to give my best last shot for BC as this was my number one school. I think I will be happy in any of those places. I really appreciate the help.
@scottj I’m gonna email my regional representative with my current achievement. Besides, should I also email to the general undergraduate admission office? I can’t find the email address for the general undergraduate admission on BC website. Or, should I email Lynch School of Education, where I apply for?
Really appreciate your help!
Dear Sapphirehou : You are making the transition from High School senior to College Co-Ed. Part of making that transition is more adult problem solving while also taking responsibilities for the outcomes. Here, you are making a serious attempt to differentiate yourself from the crowd by getting your letter of continuing interest noticed. That’s a great goal. Now, let’s look at your execution.
Why would simply following a link posted on the Boston College web site be a differentiator? Since BC does not publish a contact number that you need, do you just throw your hands up and say, well, “that’s that”? Exactly how badly do you want to earn a spot at Boston College? Is it possible that you might want to speak with LSOE staff to introduce yourself? Is it possible that you want to identify some decision makers including your Admissions team?
Again, the goal is to differentiate yourself. Do the legwork to get an insider’s position.
Hi everyone, I am visiting BC this month to make sure it is still my top choice. I will be sending an email about interest/achievements to admissions but would you also recommend introducing myself to the regional admissions rep during my visit? I heard that this is looked upon differently at every school so any input would be appreciated
Dear ohmloo : If you are going to be physically on campus, take advantage of meeting with your admissions team. Bring your latest transcript (in case it is needed), a copy of your letter of continuing interest (including how you will leverage what Boston College can offer to make the community better), and an overall spirit that demonstrates that you “get” the BC Community concept.
Arrange to meet with folks involved with your campus interests in the morning (clubs, major department, facilities) and schedule to meet admissions in the afternoon (if possible) armed with your new and exciting information that convinced you that Boston College is the place to be. Be yourself and be enthusiastic. Even if the meeting with admissions only lasts ten minutes, you will have given the best chance for your “elevator pitch” to succeed.
Also, does anybody know if admissions will be open on Easter Monday? I saw that there are classes only after 4 pm so I was wondering if the office would be open as well
