<p>I was waitlisted from Caltech today and I am kind of sad because Caltech was one of my top choices. Regardless, I would like to know some strategies to get off the waitlist. I am submitting a research paper that I have been working on for the past 8 months at Princeton University (my professor submitted a rec but I did not finish my paper by the application deadline so i wasnt able to submit). Should I write another essay? If so, what are some general topics waitlist essays should be about? Also, they say they will get back by July 1, but does anyone know the time range for this? Like do they start responding April 15 or something? Your help would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Schools have a deadline to receive their enrollment requests by May 1st. This is when they start figuring out if they enough students (for Caltech about 240-250). If enough people have not enrolled, they start asking the people on waitlist. Schools may not accept any from waitlist if they are oversubscribed which I believe happened last year at MIT, Princeton, Caltech and Stanford.</p>
<p>They usually do not have specific order in the waitlist to admit but more of meeting institutional needs.</p>
<p>^I’m in the same boat.</p>
<p>You should definitely send an email ASAP affirming that you’re still interested. If there have been any developments since you submitted your app, include those as well. If your HS counselor has a good relationship with both you and Caltech, you could ask her to get on the phone for you and reach out to them.</p>
<p>I agree with Desafinado, but suggest do in 2 stages. Think it through what you have done in past months that would greatly add to your profile. If you’ve been doing a research project, let them know about that, and/or possibly get another letter of recommendation.</p>
<p>good luck</p>