<p>I'm an International student who applied to LACs and need lots of aid..... I haven't been accepted to any but was waitlisted at Carleton, Colby, Franklin & Marshall and Grinnell. I know the chances of getting off the waitlist at any school is slim, so i'll obviously stay on all the waitlists. I don't have a first choice but will be very happy to attend any of these schools if admitted. The question is, can i tell all schools that i'll definately attend if admitted?</p>
<p>sure, why not? and i'd recommend you write each one of them a short essay or something to let them know that you're still interested in attending their schools. i hate to say that you probably have a better chance getting in F&M. i know last year carleton didnt accept anyone from their waitlist, i'd assume the numbers are etremely low for colby and grinnell.</p>
<p>Anyone? I need advice.........</p>
<p>No. You can tell one school that you will definitely attend if admitted, but you cannot tell all schools that.</p>
<p>It's a moral issue. Anyway, if a school finds out you lied to them, they can tell all the schools they have a relationship with that you did not keep your word, even if they can't take any direct action against you. The schools they tell will then refuse to admit you.</p>
<p>This happens when a student refuses to attend a college he/she was admitted Early Decision to (barring extreme financial circumstances). It's not pretty.</p>
<p>So what is the best way to tell colleges (that waitlisted me) that i really want to attend without actually making a promise to attend if admitted?</p>
<p>Maybe you could say that if you are taken off the waitlist, you will attend if enough aid is offered to you. Talk about how much you'd like to go <em>and why</em> (research on the individual colleges would be helpful here) but say that you're reluctant to commit because you just don't know whether you can afford it.</p>
<p>That would show them how much you do want to attend their school and that the only thing keeping you from promising to go is money. I definitely don't think they would hold that against you.</p>
<p>If i leave the money part out, and just tell them i'd really like to go without making a promise to attend, will it be ok if i eventually turn them down for another school? After all, isn't that what everyone does in college applications? Show interest? I'd suppose there's nothing wrong with that.......</p>
<p>Yep, that's perfectly fine. I just had an issue with you telling all your schools that you would definitely attend if admitted, which could obviously cause problems... but yeah, showing lots of interest (to any or all schools) is always good :)</p>
<p>ok, thanks!</p>
<p>Another question... Is it advisable to ask the adcom 'what can i do to increase my chances of being admitted'? Will that be a bit rude? And when i write, should i write to the adcom, or the dean of admissions? Is it better to send my letter through fax or email or snail mail?</p>
<p>Yep, you can definitely ask the admissions officer that. They might not give you a straight answer, but I know it's a common practice. Also, I think you should call or email directly (no snail mail or fax). It's best to get direct and immediate contact with a person at the college -- it'll cement you in their minds as a real person beyond just a file of folders.</p>
<p>Try to contact your regional advisors. Look on your college's websites. They might list contact info for the admissions officers, region by region.</p>