<p>All right, so I was waitlisted at a school, and I called them trying to find out the email for the regional admissions officier. The person at the Directory directed me TO my regional adcom and the ADCOM picked up the phone. I didn't know what to say, because I was expecting just to get the email of the Adcom. So I only said, "Can I have your email because I want to send you a letter reiterating my interest in this university".....DAMN, I should have said something else over the phone to show my interest in the school, instead of JUST asking for the email adress. Mostly when applicants call trying to show interest, it lasts 3-4 minutes. This one lasted like 30 seconds, because all I asked for was an email adress, I was so suprised that the adcom actually picked up the phone that I forgot to say "this university is by far my top choice"...The adcom got my name at the begining because thats when I introduced myself...Is this going to reflect poorly on my file.?...</p>
<p>It sounded really awkard because the adcom was like "Is there anything else you want me to help you with", and I said "no, I just needed your email", and then the adcom said "UUUhhh...okay....um....I guess I can read your email" (the adcom was probably wondering, why I wasn't reiterating my interest over the phone instead of CALLING THEM ONLY TO ASK FOR THEIR EMAIL).....WWWTTTFFF!!! How Badly am I screwed...what should I do to alleviate the situation..</p>
<p>Don’t stress. Take a deep breath, think about what you want to say to the regional person, then call back again and say it. You’re human and they will probably be delighted with your mature, well-thought-out comments!</p>
<p>^^^ how do I explain my awkardness…I don’t want to bring attention to my awkardness in my letter lol…I mean I don’t want to admit to my awkarness in the letter…FFFUUUCCCKK…Could you please clarify what you mean by this…</p>
<p>I’m not saying tell them you’re sorry for stuttering or something. Just try to maybe find some excuse for not elaborating on your desire to be a part of the school over the phone. Perhaps you thought your comments would be better structured if in writing or something. Either way, just make sure you emphasize your interest in the email and try not to sound generic.</p>
<p>Sounds like you are very intimidated. Just relax. Call the Regional person and express over the phone that you very much want to attend this school and why. Thank him/her again for his/her email. Have a conversation. Ask questions and answer questions. Politely end the call when you have made your point and follow up with a thank you email.</p>
<p>Welcome to adulthood. We make mistakes! You can do this. Let us know how it turns out! We are rooting for you!</p>
<p>Do people usually call the regional rep and talk to them, anyway? I’ve been e-mailing mine and I sent letters to admissions. It’s not that I didn’t want to call, e-mail and mail is just easier. And hard copies of things are nice. <_<</p>
<p>Just say something like “I called today to obtain your email address and was so surprised to be put through to you directly that I was speechless! I want you to know that XYZ is my top choice school and I would like to submit this additional information in the hope that I will be accepted from the waitlist.”</p>
<p>you simply state in the email that you weren’t sure of the protocols for reaching out to admissions… that you didn’t know if is appropriate to make your case over the phone.</p>
<p>People are saying that colleges are no longer need-blind when accepting off the waitlist. If you really want to go, don’t need any aid and are willing to pay in full, then make sure you say that!</p>
<p>it’s no biggie. they understand that it’s awkward talking to an adcom. Adcoms can be an everyday neighbor but in their offices they are those that determine the future. so of course they are intimidating and all that. relax and send your email.</p>
<p>if you get rejected, just don’t feel that it was because of this incident. getting off the waitlist isn’t easy anyway.</p>
<p>I would say what fireflyscout said. Make light of it, saying it was unexpected…he will laugh and let it pass over and remember you (in a good way!) :)</p>
<p>Yah, I took myself off of Financial Aid, I had applied for FA (when doing regular decision) just to see how much I could get, but my parents are willing to pay full if I get in…I will send in the letter snail mail and an email…anyone have any other suggestions as to what I could do for other schools that have waitlisted me? Should I visit? I have sent in an updated transcript, and an updated counselor recommendation, and an undated resume…I have also been contacting the different adcoms I met during college interviews(email, not going to call again) and asking them questions about the programs at their schools…</p>
<p>People who do much of their work by phone may have 50 conversations a day. That is on top of the killer workload that reps have in the months of January through March. Why do you think your momentary awkwardness would stand out?</p>
<p>You are just feeling self-conscious, which is very typical of teens. Don’t dwell on it; you’ll remember the awkwardness and may tend to repeat it. Fill your mind with something that builds your confidence!</p>
<p>But part of your takeaway should be question of why you didn’t have the contact info for this regional admissions person already. Don’t beat yourself up, just take it as a learning experience. </p>
<p>The good news is that your ranking was done by a committee so it’s not being changed because the admissions guy is not going ‘back to the well’ because of an less than stellar phone exchange.</p>
<p>During an interview after I was wait listed, I straight up told the ad-com to his face I was extremely nervous and even made a joke out of it (once he laughed,my heart rate decreased DRAMATICALLY). In the end, he/she is just a person. They understand kids will be nervous and would rather have a student calling them than a plain old, boring high school counselor.</p>
<p>Here’s what I would do:</p>
<p>Call back. Introduce yourself something like this:</p>
<p>“Hello, my name is (Joe Schmoe). I called earlier, and kind of froze up because I was feeling pretty nervous”(in a happy, bright tone, maybe even throw in a chuckle).</p>
<p>No doubt, the adcom will say something along the lines of “No problem joe, what can I do for ya?”</p>
<p>Then state your case. A lot of times, kids are too professional with adcoms. One must be tactful and have a significant meaning as to why he is calling, but also be an affable individual. Subtly reference back as to why you were nervous. Perhaps mentioning it is the first school you have had the interest in to actually call,etc.</p>
<p>By calling back, you are showing a tremendous amount of maturity and interest.</p>
<p>All I can say is WOW. Try to call the adcom person again, and explain your awkwardness. It’ll alleviate your stress and give you guys a laugh (hopefully)?</p>