<p>Yesterday I got that dreaded small envelope from Brandeis and I was waitlisted. I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty devastated by this. I thought I had decent/good stats compared with some people who did get in…
Now that I didn’t get into Brandeis, is there no hope for me to get into even higher tier colleges?</p>
<p>Here’s some of my stats:
SAT: (710 W, 770 CR, 690 M) 2170
SAT II: 770 Lit, 690 bio-E
GPA: 4.12
Rank: 10/275
ECs: Officer of three clubs, multi varsity sport athlete, music</p>
<p>Where do you live? I know certain schools that can fill their class with a certain profile from a certain areas, and as a result the chances of admittance are far lower for such students even if their stats are well within the range of acceptance and even verging on the upper 25%. Do a lot of kids from your area apply to Brandeis?</p>
<p>well, I live about 45 minutes away from Brandeis.</p>
<p>yes, plenty of kids did apply to Brandeis, some of whom got in with lower stats.
I’m not mad at other kids for getting in, I’m wracking my brain trying to figure out what I did wrong.</p>
<p>amidoneyet, i can’t think of any reason that you’d be waitlisted other than the fact that you live so close to the campus and so many other kids applied from the area. i’m really sorry :(</p>
<p>I was also waitlisted, but with lower test scores than you. However, my scores were below the median of the class which I can see as a factor to my waitlist. I just hope I have a chance at my other schools because my other schools are somewhat “harder” to get into(I applied very reach heavy)</p>
<p>hey guys, so I really want to get off the waitlist. I’m planning on sending a letter of intent soon and tell them that Brandeis is my first choice. But I don’t know what else to talk about–should I mention that I got a job and won an award at my science fair recently? Do I talk about why I like Brandeis? How long should this letter be–is 2 pages too much? Also, do I email this letter or send it via post to the admissions office? Should I send a new recommendation–should it be academic or can it be from an EC? </p>
<p>I know it’s a lot of questions, but please give me advice.</p>
<p>We had our GC contact the admissions rep, and she did say that along with the statement of interest you should update them on any “news” since you applied. It would hurt for you to get your GC involved helping you with this.</p>
<p>If you look on the waitlist form, the handwritten space for the statement is about 10-12 lines. I’d say typed don’t write more than a couple of paragraphs.</p>
<p>You can find out your admissions rep’s e-mail from the admissions office, or just send it to the admissions office standard e-mail address. They did provide a snail-mail envelope in your waitlist package.</p>
<p>We’re wondering about an additional recommendation - I think it would help my D, since one of her AP teachers also has been very involved in an EC that she’s really excelled in this year. But definitely tell them about awards or special accomplishments since the January deadline.</p>
<p>Good luck!! The Common Data Set says Brandeis accepted about 20% off the waitlist 2 years ago and almost 30% last year. So it’s not a crazy longshot. But definitely find a school you will be happy at in the meantime. It’s hard to keep two schools in your head and heart, but in the waitlist game you have to do this or you’ll be very unhappy in the long run.</p>
<p>Your academics look very strong, so I don’t think you need to emphasize that, although the recent award is great. What do you bring to Brandeis besides being a top student? Are you going to get involved in or start any campus organizations? Are you excited about eventually becoming an alum and being a contributing (time, not just $$s!) member of the community? Maybe your peers with weaker scores are bringing something special to student life; what is your unique contribution?</p>
<p>Of course, to my cynical mind, there is the chance you looked “too good” for Brandeis and they didn’t want to “waste” a slot on you who are destined for greater things?? Expressing your interest and commitment (?) may help?</p>
<p>I’m not sure if I can vow to become a great alum and start campus organizations…but I think I know how I can add to the community and why I’m a fit for Brandeis, so should I write about that then?</p>
<p>What else should I do?</p>
<p>@CAorBust, I’m definitely not “too good” for Brandeis, but hopefully they see something in me when they look at the waitlist. :)</p>
<p>Brandeis loves to hear from students about how they’re committed to Brandeis’s “higher ideals.” You should write a letter talking about why you love Brandeis, why you’re passionate about Social Justice, everything that you hope to (and plan to) be involved with, and how YOU would contribute to the greater Brandeis community.</p>
I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty devastated by this. I thought I had decent/good stats compared with some people who did get in…