I just found out recently that I have been waitlisted at my top school, Providence College. It was a complete bummer, but I’m holding some hope that I may be accepted off the list. I am actually very very confused about their admissions decision because of my stats and because my sister graduated from the school a couple of years ago. I really thought the family tradition aspect of my application would’ve been the push they needed to accept me, but I guess not. In the letter I received, they stated that they had 10,000 applicants and only accepted 1,000 students. Wouldn’t that mean they only have a 10% acceptance rate, the equivalent to some Ivy League schools? I am just completely confused and thrown off by this whole thing.
Can anyone help me with what their opinion is on if I’ll get accepted off of the waiting list? As I said, it is my top school and I will be devestated if I don’t get in. 2 other people in my grade in my school have been accepted to PC, both of which have a higher rank than me
Here are some of my stats if you need them:
GPA: 3.3 unweighted
Class Rank: top 25% of my class
SAT Score: 1760
Class Rigor: I take rigorous classes and have improved throughout my high school years. I’m taking 4 AP & honors classes this year and am doing very well in all of them. I have taken honors classes throughout high school.
Activities: Class President, Student Council, hold office in various acadamic clubs, sports team captain, planning fundraising events for various causes, volunteer, part-time job
Someone who has had experience with this please help me out! I am so confused and disheartened.
The middle 50% range of SAT scores is 1580-1900, so you are right in the middle. They generally accept around 60%… They had 10,000 applications for 1,000 spots… but most students accepted choose to go someplace else, so they have to accept many more students than 1,000. That is, they probably accept 6,000 and only 1,000 say yes… if less say yes, then they can take applicants from the wait list.
At this point, all you can do is wait. If they give you an opportunity to write a letter or add additional information, do so, and make it clear that Providence is your first choice and why. If they go to the waitlist, they will be looking for students who have expressed strong interest.
Your letter probably said that they had 10,000 applicants for 1,000 freshman slots. Because many accepted students will go elsewhere, they would have to accept several thousand applicants to fill a class of 1,000.
See if your guidance counselor at school would be willing to give them a call and tell them that it would be your top choice if you were to be offered admission off the waitlist.
Your stats were average for Providence and honestly, I don’t think the “legacy” will have made a huge factor either. I understand your disappointment and I hope you can get off the waitlist.
Several years ago my son was also waitlisted. Many similarities as you. He wrote to his admissions person at PC and told her we would be revisiting PC and if she was available he would love to meet her. On the day of the visit, he stopped in to the admissions office and met with her. He told her PC was his #1 choice and if admitted, he would attend PC. Make sure they know there is no doubt that you will attend if admitted.
My son found out he was admitted that year on May 3. He received a phone call asking him if he would accept a spot and he said yes. They fedexed a letter the next day.
Does anyone know how financial aid works since I’m on the waitlist? I still wouldn’t 100% be able to commit to the school until I found out how much I would be paying.
Also, TheDidactic, the only reason I was really confident about the legacy aspect of my application was because they always talk about tradition and family at their school. They acknowledged the “family tradition” in the waitlist letter which threw me off.
I’ll be pulling for you. From what you’ve written, you sound like you would make a great Providence student! I’m betting they’ll feel the same way if they know you’re very interested. Good luck!
Although I STILL haven’t gotten a decision from PC (lost in the mail?), I believe I am currently in the same boat. I tried to join the FB group where you have to be approved, but my request was never answered. I’m getting a PDF copy tomorrow, but it’s either a waitlist or a rejection. My stats are very similar:
Originally deferred
3.5 GPA (started with a 3.3 and ended with a 4.0 on my midyear. I took my most challenging course load this year, with 2 dual enrollment courses (calc & comp) and 2 honors (Italian 5 & International Business & Politics)
1810 SAT (630 M, 620 W and 560 CR)
First Generation student
Not such great ECs other than community service and a few clubs, but I worked 4 jobs throughout high school
Visited, took tours and also was a Friar for the day
Emailed my rep stating that PC was my number one
Wrote a handwritten letter when I was deferred stating my interest
I’m truly devastated that I wasn’t accepted. If I do receive a wait list position, I will accept it, but I just feel hopeless at this point. I worked SO hard this year for my mid year report and expressed how passionate I was about PC in my letter. Sorry for the long rant, but basically, you are not alone in this frustrating process! Hang in there, and if we both get off the wait list and you need a roommate, let me know!
Did you tell them by any chance that you were interested in a business major? I’ve heard that they have many applicants for their business school and work to try to balance an incoming class with liberal arts majors too. Don’t know if this is true. If you are interested in liberal arts, they do have a general business minor called the Business Studies Program. My son did their minor several years ago and got a great job. I agree with advice to write a letter stating that PC is your first choice.
