What to do with waitlist?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Swarthmore College
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<p>Well, I'd like to congratulate all and everyone that got in to Swarthmore or some other superb top choices of yours!</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I wasn't as fortunate, and out of 6 places I've applied in the US, I got 4 rejections and 2 waitlists. </p>

<p>As I'm an international in need of significant aid, going to US just or the sake of being in US (like going to a community college) is not an option (or a desire) so I have to start making other plans. I got into a college in my town with scholarship, yet I am not really inclined to attend it. I will definitely start working on entrance exams for colleges in my country (which are in July) after I decide on a desired college within the country while I am stay on Swarthmore's waitlist.</p>

<p>Studying in one of the top colleges in US was a dream of mine for quite a while, but unfortunately, I didn't do enough research on whole application process and as a result, I feel that I did not take the whole process as serious as I should have. I know it's too late and pointless to go over the things I could have/should have done, but I truly wish I did certain things differently. Only after completing all of my applications I began to realize more about myself, my hopes, my likes, my dislikes and my potential abilities. (Really cool how college applications require you to dig deep within yourself. Darn, too much procrastination... :() Back then I was under the impression that none of the things on my app would be good enough so I might have no tried enough. (too much time on CC reading about all those accomplished 2400 multiple national/international award winners, little funny when I look back now...)
Since then, I realized I could have written so much more about myself on the essays, and have been wishing I was smart enough to show them my abilities and thoughts at the fullest. </p>

<p>However, it's all been done and said so there's no point wanting to change the past.
And I ended up with a Swarthmore waitlist. I am very flattered and happy that it is not a rejection, but that they still find me somewhat qualified for the school. </p>

<p>So I was wondering, from what you know from the past experiences and information, what are chances on the waitlist realistically?
I know they're not good, so I was wondering if there's ANYTHING I could do to improve my chances to be taken off the waitlist. I don't have a counselor in my country and people around me are clueless about the whole process, so your help would mean so much. </p>

<p>I truly love Swarthmore, and out of all 6 colleges I applied, it was one of the two #1 choices on my list and I'd be elated if I could attend it. </p>

<p>They said:
"At this point, you may be wondering what your chances of admission are. While it is impossible for me to be specific, I can tell you that in each of the last five years we were able to admit a number of students from our alternate list. Swarthmore does not rank its alternate list, but if the Admissions Committee is able to add to our class, we will be selecting from among only those students who have requested further consideration. [...] You may also wish to send in additional information such as notice of awards, grades, or other relevant materials. Please know that students who are admitted from the alternate list are fully eligible for need-based financial aid and housing."</p>

<p>I will not put too much hopes on waitlist, but I was wondering if sending them an additional essay on how the way I think, and my point of view changed due to reexamining my inner side for presenting myself on the college applications, or explaining my situation better, would that help at all?
Of course, in addition to a letter (?) stating that Swarthmore is my first choice and if financial aid offer works, I would definitely attend.</p>

<p>What are your thoughts?
Any ideas and suggestions for improving my chances off the waitlist?
(Just please don't tell me to give up and focus on other things. I mean, I will focus on the other things, but I want to know what I could do)</p>

<p>Sorry for this long rant and thank you, if you've read this far.</p>

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<p>I say go for it. :)</p>

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<p>You might want to send them a simple letter that says something like 'since swarthmore is def. my first choice, and teachers in (insert home country) aren't familiar with the American college application system, is there something that you recommend that I do to improve my chances of getting off the waitlist?</p>

<p>That way, they might give you some useful feedback and they'll know that they are your top choice.</p>

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<p>I think something between another full-fledged essay and an interested letter would work well.</p>

<p>After being deferred, I sent them loads of information, which apparently helped. I don't know if that is a rule though.</p>

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<p>Thanks, everyone :) And congratulations, Treesnogger!</p>

<p>I was also thinking of replying on the decisions e-mail and asking them about how I could improve my chances on the waitlist (along with confirming my continuing interest in Swarthmore)
I really hope they'll have low yield this year so us from waitlist can have better chances.</p>

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<p>Does anyone know if Swarthmore will be taking people off waitlist?</p>

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<p>my friend was accepted off the waitlist onnnn tuesday (not exactly sure of the day, but it was early this week.) He's not going to go though. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Omg, I gotta rush with my additional materials then!</p>

<p>Thanks, I'm glad to know that Swat will be using waitlist! :)</p>

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<p>Woohoo, do you know by any chance what your friend did for his waitlist status? Did he send additional info, had counselors call...?</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Omg, I gotta rush with my additional materials then!

[/quote]

Boho-- just curious, if Swarthmore was so clearly your heart's desire, why, then are you waiting until now to send in additional materials? If the above poster is correct, they have been looking at and making decisions about the waiting list for at least a couple of days, probably more. Methinks you have moved on!</p>

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<p>Well, as much as I love Swarthmore, at first I actually gave up on thought of ever being admitted off waitlist as it practically seemed impossible. So I've been searching mad for other options and actually found them.
But then, last week, a counselor from my former school told me to just be aggressive with the waitlist and that there might really be a chance of getting in. So I kind of woke up and thought maybe I should really give it a try.
I'm still very unsure about the whole thing, and I won't even hope I'll get in, but I'll try at least something.</p>

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<p>According to today's New York Times, Swarthmore expects to take 10-20 applicants from the wait list.</p>

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<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>I saw that one, too, and honestly, it doesn't look good :(</p>

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<p>i don't think he did anything...and i don't really know why he stayed on the waitlist because he got into his first choice school (CMU)</p>

<p>he was into engineering though which may mean that they evaluated his application differently?</p>

<p>sorry i'm being so vague, i didn't hound him for details.</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!</p>

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<p>Being a guy and being a potential engineering major puts a waitlistee into two categories that Swarthmore may need to top up from the waitlist.</p>

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<p>Last year Swarthmore admitted 42 from the waitlist. The year before was 26. I would not be at all surprised if the waitlist admits this year were higher than last year. So if you are on the wait list and have your heart set on Swarthmore, I see no need to give up hope at this point.</p>

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<p>Oh, wow, I didn't know that. That actually sounds encouraging. </p>

<p>I truly love Swarthmore but everyone (especially on CC) seem to tell that chances on waitlists are very slim, and with Swarthmore's reticence about waitlists, I really don't know how I stand on it. </p>

<p>I wrote an e-mail to my regional rep, but no answer yet. I wish Swat released an official statement soon on how many people actually stayed on waitlist etc. </p>

<p>My dad will be visiting Philadelphia sometimes next week, and I asked him to visit Swarthmore campus and take pictures of it for me. Do you think it would have any bearing to my waitlist status if my dad tried to talk to my regional rep in person, expressing my continuing interest? (we live in Europe, and I can't go to USA now)</p>

<p>PS I just checked last year's posts on waitlists, and seems like students who would have likely gotten admitted received e-mails in mid-May, and some that confirmed their interest got a phone call, too. My birthday's nearing and it would be nice if I got any information on waitlist...</p>

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<p>Maybe give your dad a letter or something that he can deliver to the admissions rep. </p>

<p>i wouldn't trust my dad to tell someone about how much i wanted to go to some school...</p>

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<p>^^ True... He loves me a lot, but he doesn't know anything about US college process.
I'll go with the letter, then. But then again, what else is there to tell? I already sent them a letter through e-mail. Something gimmicky? lol</p>

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<p>PS Is it just me, or was Swarthmore board more active in past years?
(Why not now?)</p>