Waitlisted from Caltech

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<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>

2

<p>Don’t write another essay. Some thoughts:

  • Obviously accept the spot on the waitlist. Not everyone will.
  • If you KNOW they would be your first choice and you are certain you will attend if accepted, regadless of how other admissions come out or financial aid offered, tell them so.
  • If you have accomplished something substantial since submitting your application (like completing that paper, or doing well in a competition, or whatever), send them that and reaffirm your interest.</p>

<p>But realistically, you need to consider your other options. For the last Common Data Set available on the Cal Tech website (2011-12), they offered 556 students a spot on the waitlist. 366 accepted the spot, and of those 40 were admitted. So about 11% of the waitlisted students who took a spot on the waitlist were eventually accepted. The numbers can vary some from year to year, but it gives you an idea. Not very good odds… so while you can take the steps above, you need to move on and start getting excited about some of your other options.</p>

<p>I think most colleges wait until after May 1 to offer spots on the waitlist. They need to see what their yield is from the offers they have made. As they continue to get “melt” into the summer (maybe a student makes a deposit at Cal Tech, but then gets off the waitlist somewhere else, so that opens up a spot), they will continue to offer waitlist spots.</p>