How do I get off a t25 waitlist? Advice? Forum

[Youppi315]

My numbers (2.6, 169) seem to have me solidly waitlisted at many t25 schools (UofI, WUSTL, GWU...straight dings from BU/BC?). I'm wondering what the best course of action is to get off a waitlist at a school like this (I'll apply to T2 safeties, to have fallbacks...then again, not going anywhere is also an option) and I'm one of those people who gets anxious not knowing what the immediate future holds. Any guidance or stories would be great!!

NOTE: fall 2011 applicant who has been studying LSN and TLS stats, going into sr. year of college, too busy to re-take and I scored about where I was practicing anyway

[glewz]

Send periodic letters of interest. If there is a first-choice school to which you'd commit without reservation, tell them this.

If the school grants interviews, arrange for them as well.

[Youppi315]

Send periodic letters of interest. If there is a first-choice school to which you'd commit without reservation, tell them this.

If the school grants interviews, arrange for them as well.

There is such a school. Should I tell them this at the outset? Even if not, what could I say and how should I tell them?

For GWU should I apply ED (rejected) but so they know I'm serious?

[glewz]

Send periodic letters of interest. If there is a first-choice school to which you'd commit without reservation, tell them this.

If the school grants interviews, arrange for them as well.

There is such a school. Should I tell them this at the outset? Even if not, what could I say and how should I tell them?

For GWU should I apply ED (rejected) but so they know I'm serious?

I'm slightly confused - have you applied already and are considering applying once again? Not EDing to GWU should be based relatively on whether you'd be satisfied with EDing and attending a competitor school; in addition, you want to evaluate your chances for being admitted RD @ GWU because you most certainly will be deferred from ED to RD. Also, I'd speak with a GWU admissions person on the matter because it's possible on some level that by EDing, you are demonstrating a lack of awareness for GWU's admissions process (since it's clear that those numbers would not afford you a full scholarship..)

If you have applied already and are on WLs, you need to send the letter(s) of interest - about once per month. Tell GWU in your introduction that they are your 1st choice school; if admitted, you'd matriculate & withdraw applications to all others. You need to make a strong case in the remainder of your essay for why GWU is your #1.

Finally, try interview with a GWU admissions person, if of course you think you can do a good job.

Edit: re-read your first post...aware now that you are a 1st time applicants sorry.

[Youppi315]

Send periodic letters of interest. If there is a first-choice school to which you'd commit without reservation, tell them this.

If the school grants interviews, arrange for them as well.

There is such a school. Should I tell them this at the outset? Even if not, what could I say and how should I tell them?

For GWU should I apply ED (rejected) but so they know I'm serious?

I'm slightly confused - have you applied already and are considering applying once again? Not EDing to GWU should be based relatively on whether you'd be satisfied with EDing and attending a competitor school; in addition, you want to evaluate your chances for being admitted RD @ GWU because you most certainly will be deferred from ED to RD. Also, I'd speak with a GWU admissions person on the matter because it's possible on some level that by EDing, you are demonstrating a lack of awareness for GWU's admissions process (since it's clear that those numbers would not afford you a full scholarship..)

If you have applied already and are on WLs, you need to send the letter(s) of interest - about once per month. Tell GWU in your introduction that they are your 1st choice school; if admitted, you'd matriculate & withdraw applications to all others. You need to make a strong case in the remainder of your essay for why GWU is your #1.

Finally, try interview with a GWU admissions person, if of course you think you can do a good job.

Edit: re-read your first post...aware now that you are a 1st time applicants sorry.

Yup, first timer. This is my final college summer :p

Would it be wise to make it clear from the get-go that the school is my #1 and that yeah if accepted I'd go, no ?s asked?

[justhockey31]

You can include in your application a "why GWU" essay detailing exactly why they are your first choice and let them know that it is your favorite. With regards to a t25 wait list, like all wait lists it is a numbers game at the end of the day but sending letters, visiting, speaking with admissions, etc will pull you up in the order but will not guarantee (for example, I am currently on the GWU WL with very similar #'s, it was my top choice, i have visited, i wrote a few letters and kept in constant contact while receiving no love from them while at the same time I never sent anything or did anything with Minnesota and let me in off their wait list with $$). Moral of the story, try to make a really compelling case for them to accept you RD because once you get in to the WL territory its anybodys guess. Good luck!

[Youppi315]

You can include in your application a "why GWU" essay detailing exactly why they are your first choice and let them know that it is your favorite. With regards to a t25 wait list, like all wait lists it is a numbers game at the end of the day but sending letters, visiting, speaking with admissions, etc will pull you up in the order but will not guarantee (for example, I am currently on the GWU WL with very similar #'s, it was my top choice, i have visited, i wrote a few letters and kept in constant contact while receiving no love from them while at the same time I never sent anything or did anything with Minnesota and let me in off their wait list with $$). Moral of the story, try to make a really compelling case for them to accept you RD because once you get in to the WL territory its anybodys guess. Good luck!

Thanks! I think a problem for me is I wouldnt feel a real attachment to any specific school or campus...these are my top schools now because I know people with my #s get in sometimes...and Id simply want to go to the school with the best employment prospects. So it wouldnt be love and might come off as insincere. That could change, I guess.

[justhockey31]

I hear ya...with splitter numbers the cycle can be really unpredictable. With a 169 you are almost guaranteed a spot at WUSTL with $$ and IUB would probably throw you a full scholly. Your best bet is to do exactly what you described above...apply to splitter friendly schools, T2 safeties in areas you would like, and a few dream schools.