By: Devin Yeo
When April comes, fat packages and thin envelopes find their ways to many homes. But what happens if you are one of the ones who were waitlisted by your college(s)? If you are one of the unfortunate
When April comes, fat packages and thin envelopes find their ways to many homes. But what happens if you are one of the ones who were waitlisted by your college(s)?
If you are one of the unfortunate ones who get a waitlist, you have to first think about whether pursuing the waitlist is worth the wait and the agony. Always bear in mind that the waitlist is a volatile list; in some years colleges may take in as many as 100 from the list, and the next year no one gets off the waitlist.
Personally, I feel you should continue to pursue the waitlist. You’ve applied to the colleges, you’ve spend time crafting a well-written essay and you’ve paid the application fee. So don’t leave a half-job done. After sending the deposit to one of your colleges, send in the card and request that you be put on the waitlist.
From here, the strategy is all about interest and persuasion. You want the college to know why they should take you in. Don’t be afraid to show your stuff. Write a letter specifically addressed to the admissions director telling him/her how much you would love to attend. Consider the following statement:
“Dear Director, I write to express my utmost disappointment at being put on the waitlist. I have fallen in love with X College, and I wish to tell you that I will definitely attend if offered admission…“
Don’t worry about sounding desperate. Just don’t make it lean towards begging or insulting. Next you’ll want to send it whatever new information about yourself and your achievements. I advise you to just send them in whether or not they are significant. If you recently been selected to represent your school in debate, tell them that. If your club President has nominated you for a community service award, let them know that too. You want to keep the colleges informed about your progress.
It will be a good idea to get your guidance counselor and teachers to help you too. Request that your counselor give a call to the admissions office and speak on your behalf. Most counselors will be glad to help you. A new recommendation letter from a teacher will help tremendously too. Ask your teacher if he or she can write about your desire to attend the college, and offer a new perspective about you.
It is also highly recommended that you pay a visit to the college (unless you live too far away). Drop by the admissions office and talk to a rep there. If you can get in touch with the director, all the better. Make sure you let him or her know about your status, and again reiterate your interest in the college and why they should take you in. If there’s no one to entertain you, leave a note, or your letter, at the office and inform the office that you dropped by.
Unfortunately financial need will play a big role in determining whether you get off the waitlist (common especially among international applicants). Those with little or no need will have a higher chance of getting off the waitlist, so if you can afford it, make sure you let the colleges know that you will be attending whether or not you receive aid.
Keep in mind that despite doing all you can, you might not be able to get off the waitlist. But if you’ve done everything to let the colleges know that they should take you, then you will have greatly improved your chances of getting admitted in June.
Devin is a college applicant who has researched the complexity of the college admissions process for two years. His acceptances include the honors program at the University of Michigan and Cambridge University in the UK. He runs an admissions website at http://www.admissions-guide.info dedicated to helping students in the college admissions process.
