Admissions letters are starting to trickle in. High School Seniors are anxiously checking their computers on the appointed day and time to see what their status is. I know one Senior who refused to visit a college offering him a scholarship today so that he can be at his computer at 5pm exactly to find out about his Ivy League responses. Will it be the dreaded rejection or the hoped for acceptance? Or will students be relegated to that purgatory that is the waiting list?
This year, even more than 2009, colleges will be relying on waiting lists to help gather together what they hope will be the optimal composition of students for their incoming classes. Some colleges will have more students on waiting lists than on the actual "accepted" roster. Why? Because admissions is a bit of a crap shoot for the the colleges as well. They may offer acceptances to a fabulous set of students (and waitlist a group of equally fabulous kids) but they have no idea how many of those students will actually accept them back. This is because way back in the fall, what looked like a perfect fit may not be as perfect today, taking into account other acceptances, parental finances, and merit and financial aid offers.
So in order for colleges to get that "perfect" mix of athletes, artists, legacies, minority students, full payers and scholarship students, they will be looking to draw heavily from their waiting lists.
It all sounds pretty much out of anyone's control, but there are a few things that a student on a waiting list can do:
Stay Positive
They want you. They do. They just didn't have room for you. You wouldn't be on the waiting list if they didn't think you were worthy and capable and fabulous. You may even be more fabulous than other people they accepted, but because they had to balance their numbers, they didn't have room right now. Wait a few weeks. That may change. Feeling sorry for yourself will not help matters.
Stay in Touch
Definitely fill out the form to stay on the waiting list if this is a school you really want to attend. Next, sit down and write a letter outlining your achievements, since you sent in your original application. Include anything interesting that comes to mind: community service, fun facts, personal bests. Achievements are not just academic. Also make sure you let the admissions staff know that if you are accepted you would definitely matriculate, but don't say it unless you mean it. And don't pledge yourself to more than one college — admissions officers from different colleges do communicate with one another! Also, if you are in a financial position to do so, let them know that you won't be applying for financial aid. Sadly, waitlists are not need-blind.
Make a commitment
Just to keep your bases covered, make the best choice you can with what you have been offered. Go to their accepted students events, and see how that option feels to you. Keep an open mind. College campuses look very different with an acceptance in your pocket, and you may feel your second choice will be a better overall fit. But remember, you don't have to make a choice until May 1, and waiting until then may give the waitlists some time to start moving. Finally, don't commit to more than one school. It is not honorable, and it can get pricey, since you must be prepared to sacrifice the registration fee if you change your mind.
Don't Bear a Grudge
There are many stories in the admissions world of students who pledged their undying allegiance, and then rejected an offer off the waiting list because it wasn't early enough. Remember to stay positive, and not take this personally! If they didn't want you, they would have rejected you. Really. And getting in off the waiting list will not make you a second class citizen on campus. No one will know except the people that you choose to tell. You would be surprised at how many students end up attending a different college in September from the one they told folks they would be going to in April.
Best Wishes, and Hang in There!
The College Lady
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