So far I have been waitlisted at both UCLA and Claremont Mckenna College. I don’t mind being rejected from UCLA, but I really love CMC. What action should I take (as in email or call) to the school about my status, and what questions should I be asking? The college says that the waitlist is unranked but I want to know whether I should put in effort to communicate my continued interest, how the school would be the right place for me and how I’m right for the school, if I can/should have an interview, if I even have a chance… Or is this the polite way of saying, “No?”
Also, is it appropriate to ask how many people were offered to be on the waitlist as well as statistics for last year (other previous years)?
Sometimes a WL is a soft “No”, and sometimes it’s a possibility. Statistics for previous years can be found in the common data set for the school https://www.cmc.edu/sites/default/files/ir/CDS%202015-2016.pdf, but there’s no guarantee that a school will take a similar number of students from the wait list this year. You should communicate any awards you’ve received since your application as well as your commitment to attend CMC if accepted from the WL, but don’t be a pest. You won’t get an interview at this point (and shouldn’t ask). If your attendance will depend on FA, be aware that sometimes there’s just no FA left for students on the WL.
I would say not to ask for how many are on the waitlist as they won’t tell you. You can indicate awards and continued interest and enthusiasm, but don’t be hostile or a pest. I know this was your post on CC, and that’s perfectly okay, but I would not use the same tone in any communication with CMC–your tone seems a little dismissive or annoyed (and I understand you’re upset). You should be honored to have even been WL’d. CMC is now one of the hardest schools to get into. My son tried two years ago, the same year that they went from 14% to 10% acceptance by the time his admissions season was over. He took it very hard.
@yauponredux for clarification, what’s FA?
@lynjobes thanks for your honesty… I assume it would be inappropriate of me to ask whether it is worth working hard for it or not because I’m sure the person on the other end of the telephone will find me not worth the school’s effort.
What is information I should know or questions I should ask?
Can I ask my approximate ranking or will they decline to state?
I have not received any major awards within the past 3 months… Is there anything else or something I can say that will show I am still working hard and an accomplished individual perfect for the school?
If they state that their WL is unranked, they will not tell you any approximate ranking. Don’t ask.
Just treat it as rejected unless you hear back later on. Some school offer a lot applicants on the waitlist. The admission from waitlist depends on the yield rate which may vary somewhat year to year. It is hard to tell how many would be admitted from the waitlist as it varies year to year even from the same school.
Sorry for the confusion, @oboeplayingcorgi, I used “FA” as an abbreviation for “financial aid”.
The CDS posted above shows that last year they took quite a few off the wait list. So there is hope. Every year, though, things change. Sometimes, a school’s yield may be more than they expected and can take none from the WL.
Be sure to email your area rep and remind them that CMC is your top choice. Tell him/her that, if offered, you’d accept a place in next year’s Freshman class. Only send updates to your application or something notable. They don’t need a repeat of what they already have. Express interest.
Then pay your deposit at another school. Give it until the 3rd week in May. If you don’t hear by then, then you’ll likely be going to another school. CMC won’t want to drag out the WL for any longer than they have to.
Go to the CMC forum and ask your questions there. DO NOT call the admissions office with the questions you posted. If you have a guidance counselor, seek his or her guidance and have them call on your behalf with any questions and to let them know your interest. If they are willing have them call any other schools you are listed at if you have an interest in attending.
Send an email immediately. Thank them for continuing to consider you on the wait list. If you would absolutely go if accepted and there are no financial constraints, then let them know that in a polite well written email. Make sure it is polished and brief. Indicate your interest, indicate any recent achievments, even if they are not earth shattering. Reiterate why you want CMC in one line, as I am so excited because CMC has the best basket weaving program in the country and professor Straw is such a world renowned expert I want to study with him. Show it to someone before you send it. DO NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT NUMBERS (unless it is to tell them that you got the top score on the AP Basket Weaving Exam in your school or some other achievement.
tulane has a good article on ‘what next’ and waitlists. obviously the specifics at each school will vary, so look at CMC’s guidelines, but the suggested followup is good advice.
take a look at http://tuadmissionjeff.blogspot.com/2012/03/waitlist-now-what.html
Also, in looking at CMCs data in the readily available CDS’s, you can glean the following:
yr applicants admits waitlisted admit from WL enrolled
'15 7156 784 919 75 343
'14 6043 651 614 38 327
'13 5518 647 685 0 337
'12 2394 688 549 54 291
The probably waitlisted about 1000 and ‘may’ take around 50 or so.