Waitlist Oasis c/o 2019 Forum

[calgoldenbear]

Is the theory that once HYS starts letting people in off their wait lists, other schools will too as students withdraw to go there? Looks like H just let some people in this week.

Yep. As goes Harvard, so goes the rest of the T20. Of course, there could be a limited effect if Harvard were to let in 15 people who were all committed to NYU, and then NYU replaces those losses with 15 people who were all committed to Northwestern. But statistically that's very unlikely, so there will likely be a broader influence.

That scenario would actually work very much in my favor haha.

[Wilbodog]

Is it wishful thinking when it comes to getting off a waitlist? I have friends that make it seem like it's going to be impossible and it's kinda weighing me down. Also how often should I contact after I send and LOCI? I am almost at a month since I sent it and I don't want to be "that applicant" and I don't even know what I should say in my next correspondence. Sorry to whine but I appreciate any advice.

[BirdLawExpert]

Is it wishful thinking when it comes to getting off a waitlist? I have friends that make it seem like it's going to be impossible and it's kinda weighing me down. Also how often should I contact after I send and LOCI? I am almost at a month since I sent it and I don't want to be "that applicant" and I don't even know what I should say in my next correspondence. Sorry to whine but I appreciate any advice.

If you have nothing to say, then don't say anything. You already sent an LOCI. If they ask if you're still interested, politely and enthusiastically confirm your interest in a short email, but they know everything they need to at this point.

In regards to probability, if they put you on the waitlist it means they think you're worth admitting and just need a particular set of circumstances to occur in order for them to do so. Will those events occur? There's absolutely no way of knowing. Sometimes schools take nobody off of their waitlist (unlikely this year given movement has already occurred at a few top schools), and sometimes they take dozens of students off of their waitlists. The fact of the matter is that there is no probability of making it or not making it off the waitlist that is reliable year to year. Your friend is likely just trying to protect your feelings if you don't make it off of a waitlist. It's the end of May, there's a significant amount of time between now and August for the waitlist game to either freeze up or get crazy, and there's literally no way of knowing if you'll be caught up in either scenario until it happens. If Harvard lets in 80 people off of their waitlist of 85 (totally made up numbers I have no idea what their waitlist looks like), there's a significant chance that you might be in the five that don't get picked, and if they only let in one of those 85 (again, not the case this year), you might be the one. A "good" waitlist year can still be bad for individuals, and vice versa, so there's no use getting yourself stressed out over it.

All of that being said, assume that you won't make it. Devote yourself 100% to the idea that you'll be attending the school you've committed to. That's the only way to curb the disappointment of not making it off of a waitlist. The school you've committed to is your top choice. They courted you and accepted you and likely offered you scholarship money to show you that they mean business. If you make it off of the waitlist and enroll at a different school, that's great, but now is the time to begin thinking seriously about plans for the fall at the school you've committed to.

[Wilbodog]

Is it wishful thinking when it comes to getting off a waitlist? I have friends that make it seem like it's going to be impossible and it's kinda weighing me down. Also how often should I contact after I send and LOCI? I am almost at a month since I sent it and I don't want to be "that applicant" and I don't even know what I should say in my next correspondence. Sorry to whine but I appreciate any advice.

If you have nothing to say, then don't say anything. You already sent an LOCI. If they ask if you're still interested, politely and enthusiastically confirm your interest in a short email, but they know everything they need to at this point.

In regards to probability, if they put you on the waitlist it means they think you're worth admitting and just need a particular set of circumstances to occur in order for them to do so. Will those events occur? There's absolutely no way of knowing. Sometimes schools take nobody off of their waitlist (unlikely this year given movement has already occurred at a few top schools), and sometimes they take dozens of students off of their waitlists. The fact of the matter is that there is no probability of making it or not making it off the waitlist that is reliable year to year. Your friend is likely just trying to protect your feelings if you don't make it off of a waitlist. It's the end of May, there's a significant amount of time between now and August for the waitlist game to either freeze up or get crazy, and there's literally no way of knowing if you'll be caught up in either scenario until it happens. If Harvard lets in 80 people off of their waitlist of 85 (totally made up numbers I have no idea what their waitlist looks like), there's a significant chance that you might be in the five that don't get picked, and if they only let in one of those 85 (again, not the case this year), you might be the one. A "good" waitlist year can still be bad for individuals, and vice versa, so there's no use getting yourself stressed out over it.

All of that being said, assume that you won't make it. Devote yourself 100% to the idea that you'll be attending the school you've committed to. That's the only way to curb the disappointment of not making it off of a waitlist. The school you've committed to is your top choice. They courted you and accepted you and likely offered you scholarship money to show you that they mean business. If you make it off of the waitlist and enroll at a different school, that's great, but now is the time to begin thinking seriously about plans for the fall at the school you've committed to.

Thank you for the message, it really helped!

[calgoldenbear]

How's the movement looking at HYS? I'm anxiously awaiting/hoping to get off a different waitlist once this supposed domino effect begins.

[OtterLaw]

I finally figured out how to make a poll! (had some help)

Let us know where you are with your waitlists!

[dietcoke1]

..

[oliverotis]

If I had a professor do a LOR for the waitlist and the professor sent the letter to the school via email and hard copy for me should I email the school and confirm they received the LOR?

The professor sent it and neither he nor the school contacted me with any confirmation that the letter was received.

I'm sure they got it, but it doesnt hurt to call to confirm if youre stressing about it.

[goddard24]

Guys, I need a little insight here. Im currently waitlisted at about 4 top 10 schools, however I've recently put down my second deposit at the school im currently accepted to. When being admitted off of the waitlist, are students still required to put down deposits?

[Macrobian]

Guys, I need a little insight here. Im currently waitlisted at about 4 top 10 schools, however I've recently put down my second deposit at the school im currently accepted to. When being admitted off of the waitlist, are students still required to put down deposits?

Yes

[calgoldenbear]

Does anyone have any insight on how URMs fare on waitlists (if there even is any)?