<p>Okay guys, so I know a lot of people are anxious about getting off the wait list and such and I know that the wait list size differs for each school. But on average, what do you think is the percentage on that wait list who need FA versus percentage who are full pay?</p>
<p>Since everyone says that if you don't need FA it's a huge advantage but how much of an advantage? I'd assume that a school wouldn't make it something like 90% of the wait list needs FA because then if a spot did open up for a FP applicant, they wouldn't have much choice. Any opinions or stats on what the chances of getting off the wait list if you are FP applicant? </p>
<p>Also, I tried looking in the wait list forum but there was nothing so... hopefully someone will know :)</p>
<p>preplife - </p>
<p>Let’s make this simple: your chances of getting off the Exeter waitlist are zero unless (1) Exeter has horribly miscalculated its yield for this year - which, although not impossible, is highly unlikely since they’ve been doing this for awhile and try to avoid making those kinds of mistakes - or (2) one of their enrolled students has to withdraw unexpectedly.</p>
<p>Move on. Pick another one of the many other schools you were accepted to and pay your deposit. If there’s an unexpected change over the summer and you end up getting that call from Exeter you’ve been waiting for, jump at the chance, forfeit the deposit your family paid to School B, and get a summer job to pay your parents back for the forfeited deposit.</p>
<p>The better known schools tend to enroll just as many of their admitted candidates as they expect to enroll and for that reason rarely turn to their waiting lists. Period. Whether you’re full pay or not. As stated elsewhere, it’s certainly not impossible . . . but it’s still so close to impossible that the difference is negligible.</p>
<p>Stay on the Exeter waitlist. After all, miracles do happen! But pay a deposit elsewhere or risk having NO school to attend next year.</p>
<p>oh yeah. I need FA, and there’s like zero chances of getting off the Exeter waitlist. Yes, I still love the school, but I’m making new plans. Keep your chin up and keep your expectations realistic! It does hurt to realize there’s little chance of getting off a waitlist if you need FA (or even if you’re fullpay), but it’s better than harboring that false hope.</p>
<p>Just my two cents.</p>
<p>You should also consider whether there were acceptances with FA waitlists. I’d assume those kids get the available FA money first. I don’t know if every school does that or not but we experienced it with one school i.e. Congrats you’re accepted but sorry to say FA waitlist.</p>
<p>I believe a good portion of wait list applicants comprise FA. This is what happened to our son, because the first time we could not afford this prestigious education at all. The second round, he received a generous FA package because of athletics and academics. The key is having that “hook” which a boarding school is looking for. Once he got his foot in the door, he could demonstrate what he could do both as an athlete and a scholar. This year, he actually received more FA than last year, as he received awards for sports and academics.</p>
<p>The sad realization is that many deserving students are waitlisted because of financial need. However, there are ways to find the right match for a school and a student. Our son decided on just one school the second time around as it was interested in him. He was accepted and he loves it there. It is not a HADES school this round, but the “right
match.” He is excelling in so many realms and has grown so much. Don’t give up, as our
son was one that was determined to make that dream happen.</p>
<p>
[quote]
He was accepted and he loves it there. It is not a HADES school this round, but the “right
match.” He is excelling in so many realms and has grown so much. Don’t give up, as our
son was one that was determined to make that dream happen. [\quote]</p>
<p>@artistdi, I hope you post that every single year. The same can be said for my child who is thriving in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Parents and students need to realize there is more than one school out there that can make a student’s dreams come true! Bravo!</p>
<p>Each year we try to explain that 3,000 applications for less than 300 spots at the biggest schools means 2,700 kids are going to get declined with or without FA needs. And each year we hear kids asking “what did I do wrong?” The answer is: Nothing. The odds are horrendous of getting a spot as more and more applications flood in. You just have to keep looking for the perfect match - and the school that wants you as much as you want them.</p>