Since colleges will undoubtedly hear before May 1 that some of their admissions will not be accepted, will they start to pull from the waitlist before May 1, or will they make us sweat it out for at least another month???
<p>Don't expect to hear from the colleges before May.
They need to find out which RD admits have accepted before they can go to the wait list.</p>
<p>Its unlikely they will admit before the due date of students replying to their acceptances. As you point out, colleges will hear from some kids before May 1 they're not coming. On the other hand, this is no surprise to any college. They know their yield is not 100%, therefore they admit more students than they could actually enroll. The waiting list is a cushion in case they over-predict their yield and end up with more empty seats than they'd like.</p>
<p>There are a few things you can do, however. Colleges can take any student they like off the waitlist, and when they turn to the list they prefer to know they've got someone who's likely to accept. So you could write a letter to them telling them that if you're taken off the waitlist you will definitely enroll but only do this if its true!!. You could also continue to show them you're interested by sending them updates on your awards, achievements, etc. Surely there is something you could find, even if its just to tell them your 10 wk grades are higher than your overall GPA so you're continuing to work hard in school. Also have your counselor contact them to see if there is anything else you could submit. And have them inquire how many people they have taken off the waitlist the past few years.</p>
<p>Bottom line, though, is that you're at the mercy of the tides at this point. If your college hasn't taken many people from the waitlist the past few years, chances are slim.</p>