<p>So I applied regular decision to Carnegie Mellon and I found out the other day that I was waitlisted to the Mellon College of Sciences. In all, I feel that I was a strong applicant but I think one of the reasons I was waitlisted is because of my mid-year grades- I received 6 B's and 1 A, although this is misleading because I am taking 7 rigorous AP courses.</p>
<p>The question I have for you all is, what steps should I take to try to get off the waitlist? CMU is my top choice and if accepted, I would enroll.</p>
<p>Just to warn you: This is going to be a rather nuanced answer, but I hope it’s helpful.</p>
<p>My advice begins with this instruction (difficult as it is to navigate): Be persistent, but don’t pester. I would follow these steps:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Write the school affirming your interest in admissions, including any pertinent information that wasn’t already stated in your application. Also affirm that the school is your first choice. Most schools won’t officially count you on their waitlist unless you notify them that they are your first choice.</p></li>
<li><p>Also call the school and affirm your interest. Affirm that the school is your first choice.</p></li>
<li><p>About seven to ten business days after you write your letter, call to follow up on your letter. Reaffirm that the school is your first choice.</p></li>
<li><p>Update your grades only if your next set is better than the last set they saw and just as good or better than the set of grades preceeding your 6 B’s and an A.</p></li>
<li><p>Send in an extra teacher, employer, or coach recommendation that is brief but clear about your strength as an applicant. </p></li>
<li><p>Need blind admissions policies don’t apply to waitlists. Let the school know you can pay, but <em>don’t</em> come across as bribing or “that snobby rich kid.” Promises of donations or references to family fortunes or the like probably won’t be helpful.</p></li>
<li><p>Let the school know you have other attractive admissions offers. If you’ve received scholarships or the like, let the school know that you want them even if they can’t match the financial aid or scholarships you have at another school.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t lie. Many schools’ admissions departments have extremely incestuous relationships. Confidentiality gets violated all the time.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Just be prepared for bad news. This is the info for CMU last year:
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list 3,139
Number accepting a place on the waiting list 320
Number of wait-listed students admitted 0</p>
<p>^^^This year may be different. If parents lost a lot in the stock market, they may no longer be able to pay for a private college education. I suspect that the expensive universities will end up with a lower yield because of it and may have to turn to waitlists to fill classes.</p>
<p>erin’s dad, looking at threads from last year it appears that several students did get off the waitlist, so i am not sure those statistics are entirely accurate</p>