what does waitlisted REALLY mean this cycle?? Forum

[thistle143]

I was wondering if anyone could share their thoughts on this --

does being put on the WL this cycle (given all the craziness and the increase in applicants) more or less mean a ding?

[erniesto]

I'm going to wager that it means exactly what it says it means: waitlisted.

I also heard from a very credible source (which I cannot divulge) that if you were waitlisted in the second week of February at a certain school ranked 14-14.5 you have a huge possibility of getting in in May, with 1/2 tuition scholarship.

[Fark-o-vision]

I think a more useful way to approach the question would be; do you believe standard acceptance rates from the wait list will hold up for this year, or do you believe, given the crazy cycle, that schools are putting more students than normal on their wait lists, thus lowering an individual's chances of being taken off it? Granted, your numbers will still largely come into play, but it's an interesting question if anyone has stumbled across information relevant to it.

[twopoodles]

For what its worth, this board would lead me to believe your chances of getting off a waitlist would be higher than previous years. Although schools are trying to up their standards, so many people are applying to literally dozens of schools that right about now all the schools are getting a ton of withdrawals.

[traehekat]

It really depends on the school. Some schools are more known for not admitting many students off the waitlist, taking longer to get to the waitlist, structuring their waitlist differently, etc.

In general, I wager the number of wailists are up/going to be up this year. Not sure what that means, other than it may be more difficult to get off.

[jcunni5]

I think getting waitlisted usually means rejected any cycle and prolly more this cycle bc I think they have slightly more applicants

[NewtonLied]

Is it at all common get get accepted off a WL with $$?

[traehekat]

Is it at all common get get accepted off a WL with $$?

Don't think so, but not really sure.

[joshlyman]

it seems that we're assuming that the large incidence of waitlisting this cycle implies that the waitlist itself is larger. it doesnt in my view.
I think that our chances are the same if not potentially better because there seems to be a lot of YP at several schools, and I would imagine
more and more people are not accepting spots on waitlists so readily as before. but honestly: who knows. I want to get into the schools im waitlisted at so i secured my spot and sent in LOCIs but I doubt the majority of the large number of those waitlisted did the same.

[DOOM]

I think between all the withdrawing that will occur in the next few weeks and with people deciding to commit to their accepted institutions, i think waitlist will mean different things depending on your attitude towards the school. LSN shows a huge number of WLs at each school, but many are also admitted at peer/"better" schools, will receive scholarships from other schools, etc.

The percentage of people admitted off the waitlist is very low, but what about the percentage of still interested and driven candidates that are admitted? The ones who send LOCIs, stay in touch with the offices, communicate that the school is their top choice, visit, interview, etc.? Most certainly higher.

I don't think a waitlist = rejection at all.

Of course, it can't hurt to be optimistic about it. It's hard to write LOCIs and show continued interest when you've given up on any hope of getting in. Being realistic is also understanding that people DO get off waitlists.

[DOOM]

it seems that we're assuming that the large incidence of waitlisting this cycle implies that the waitlist itself is larger. it doesnt in my view.
I think that our chances are the same if not potentially better because there seems to be a lot of YP at several schools, and I would imagine
more and more people are not accepting spots on waitlists so readily as before. but honestly: who knows. I want to get into the schools im waitlisted at so i secured my spot and sent in LOCIs but I doubt the majority of the large number of those waitlisted did the same.

also, this. TLS certainly gives the impression that everyone is accepting spots on waitlists, sending in LOCI's, visiting etc. but I don't think this is at all true of the general pool of waitlisted candidates. Not everyone knows to do these things, not everyone will claim their spot, not everyone is on these forums everyday being reminded that its just about that time to send another friendly reminder to the admissions staff. Assuming you are not going overboard with it, your name remains in front of them more often than the typical waitlist candidate and your commitment/interest will show.

[MaineCourse]

It's kinda like when the hottest girl in high school tells you "she'll think about it" when you ask her to Prom.

[missvik218]

What does that mean to "claim your spot"?

Also, any other good advice for getting off waitlists would be excellent and very much appreciated, I recently have found myself on one for my top choice. I'm sending a LOCI, scheduling a visit/interview on campus, plan on staying in contact, etc. I have another LOR that I didn't send with my initial package; should I forward that along? If it's already submitted to LSAC, how do you do that?

[GermX]

I'm just praying that I can get off of UCLA's waitlist.

[DOOM]

What does that mean to "claim your spot"?

Also, any other good advice for getting off waitlists would be excellent and very much appreciated, I recently have found myself on one for my top choice. I'm sending a LOCI, scheduling a visit/interview on campus, plan on staying in contact, etc. I have another LOR that I didn't send with my initial package; should I forward that along? If it's already submitted to LSAC, how do you do that?

Some schools, UCLA and Michigan for example, require you to formally accept your offer to join the waitlist, its not automatic. It makes it easy for them to eliminate people who are waitlist offered who have no interest.

If you get a waitlist notification, be sure to submit any forms, etc. you might need to in order to claim your spot, and try to get a LOCI sent as soon as you can.

[Kiersten1985]

Is it at all common get get accepted off a WL with $$?

Don't think so, but not really sure.

The issue there is that it's unlikely that the school has much, if any, money left to give at that point. You also should assume that if you're in the position to be waitlisted, the school isn't going to give you merit aid to come off the waitlist. Not so sure about need-based, but again, it depends on how much is left.

[Quine]

I'm going to wager that it means exactly what it says it means: waitlisted.

I also heard from a very credible source (which I cannot divulge) that if you were waitlisted in the second week of February at a certain school ranked 14-14.5 you have a huge possibility of getting in in May, with 1/2 tuition scholarship.

I NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE!!!

Like, why the second week of February?

[charlesjd]

I'm going to wager that it means exactly what it says it means: waitlisted.

I also heard from a very credible source (which I cannot divulge) that if you were waitlisted in the second week of February at a certain school ranked 14-14.5 you have a huge possibility of getting in in May, with 1/2 tuition scholarship.

I NEED MORE INFORMATION PLEASE!!!

Like, why the second week of February?

I have heard of other schools doing this also. Waiting until May or June and giving scholly offers.

[missvik218]

Some schools, UCLA and Michigan for example, require you to formally accept your offer to join the waitlist, its not automatic. It makes it easy for them to eliminate people who are waitlist offered who have no interest.

Ohh, I got those from Vandy and BU too. That seems simple enough, thank you!!