Waitlist advice Forum

[LSATSBSB]

What is the most effective approach to getting off the wait list!

Calls? LOC? Email? Also how often!

Thanks

[BigZuck]

Most effective is definitely an LSAT score increase unless you're already a splitter, in which case I would send the occasional LOCI and pray to your deity of choice.

[Attax]

Most effective is definitely an LSAT score increase unless you're already a splitter, in which case I would send the occasional LOCI and pray to your deity of choice.

Also depends on if you think it was YP or legit WL.

[BigZuck]

Most effective is definitely an LSAT score increase unless you're already a splitter, in which case I would send the occasional LOCI and pray to your deity of choice.

Also depends on if you think it was YP or legit WL.

True, true. Retake might actually hurt in that case

[W$RKliveWELL]

hey, i agree with the above. retaking the lsat is always an option if you can wait out a yr and reapply. If your trying to start this cycle then I would say a LOCI is the best bet just reconfirming your interest in the school and that you would deff go if accepted. Also mention some programs your interested in. You can send more then one LOCI but space them out no more then 1 a month. I think email updates if you have new work experience or something of substance to share is also ok. additional LOR's i'm not sure how effective they would be and you should read your waitlist letter to see if they have any guidelines for this. Lastly I dont think calls are the norm. You don't want to be naggy try to come off as professional and interested as you can in your correspondence without sounding like a stalker.

Also see if the school your WL'd at has a thread in here you can get lots of advice from other people who are also waiting.

[BigZuck]

hey, i agree with the above. retaking the lsat is always an option if you can wait out a yr and reapply. If your trying to start this cycle then I would say a LOCI is the best bet just reconfirming your interest in the school and that you would deff go if accepted. Also mention some programs your interested in. You can send more then one LOCI but space them out no more then 1 a month. I think email updates if you have new work experience or something of substance to share is also ok. additional LOR's i'm not sure how effective they would be and you should read your waitlist letter to see if they have any guidelines for this. Lastly I dont think calls are the norm. You don't want to be naggy try to come off as professional and interested as you can in your correspondence without sounding like a stalker.

Also see if the school your WL'd at has a thread in here you can get lots of advice from other people who are also waiting.

They also offer the LSAT in June

[W$RKliveWELL]

hey, i agree with the above. retaking the lsat is always an option if you can wait out a yr and reapply. If your trying to start this cycle then I would say a LOCI is the best bet just reconfirming your interest in the school and that you would deff go if accepted. Also mention some programs your interested in. You can send more then one LOCI but space them out no more then 1 a month. I think email updates if you have new work experience or something of substance to share is also ok. additional LOR's i'm not sure how effective they would be and you should read your waitlist letter to see if they have any guidelines for this. Lastly I dont think calls are the norm. You don't want to be naggy try to come off as professional and interested as you can in your correspondence without sounding like a stalker.

Also see if the school your WL'd at has a thread in here you can get lots of advice from other people who are also waiting.

They also offer the LSAT in June

True but depending on the school a lot of WL movement happens in may/june. I'm sure at some places their is till movement in July so I would look into the specific schools history. I'm all for taking the LSAT over trust me I'm a multiple taker here and its worked miracles for me I just don't want the OP to waste his time or a take if it wont be helpful.

[Attax]

Most effective is definitely an LSAT score increase unless you're already a splitter, in which case I would send the occasional LOCI and pray to your deity of choice.

Also depends on if you think it was YP or legit WL.

True, true. Retake might actually hurt in that case

Good point The retake isn't bad/wrong advice in any scenario (maybe a 179 shouldn't try for a 180, but YMMV). Actually, none of it is regardless of if you are YP or not!

My advice is bad and I should feel bad.

[BigZuck]

Most effective is definitely an LSAT score increase unless you're already a splitter, in which case I would send the occasional LOCI and pray to your deity of choice.

Also depends on if you think it was YP or legit WL.

True, true. Retake might actually hurt in that case

Good point The retake isn't bad/wrong advice in any scenario (maybe a 179 shouldn't try for a 180, but YMMV). Actually, none of it is regardless of if you are YP or not!

My advice is bad and I should feel bad.

No, I think you're right. If its YP then retake won't make a difference, just got to convince them you would actually attend. Usually a genuine LOCI clears that up.

[BigZuck]

hey, i agree with the above. retaking the lsat is always an option if you can wait out a yr and reapply. If your trying to start this cycle then I would say a LOCI is the best bet just reconfirming your interest in the school and that you would deff go if accepted. Also mention some programs your interested in. You can send more then one LOCI but space them out no more then 1 a month. I think email updates if you have new work experience or something of substance to share is also ok. additional LOR's i'm not sure how effective they would be and you should read your waitlist letter to see if they have any guidelines for this. Lastly I dont think calls are the norm. You don't want to be naggy try to come off as professional and interested as you can in your correspondence without sounding like a stalker.

Also see if the school your WL'd at has a thread in here you can get lots of advice from other people who are also waiting.

They also offer the LSAT in June

True but depending on the school a lot of WL movement happens in may/june. I'm sure at some places their is till movement in July so I would look into the specific schools history. I'm all for taking the LSAT over trust me I'm a multiple taker here and its worked miracles for me I just don't want the OP to waste his time or a take if it wont be helpful.

Yeah, I guess it depends on the school, but usually even T14s are pulling from the WL through August.

[Attax]

No, I think you're right. If its YP then retake won't make a difference, just got to convince them you would actually attend. Usually a genuine LOCI clears that up.

True, a LOCI doesn't hurt, but a retake can = more money, so on a financial level independent from admissions probably isn't bad advice either.

[BigZuck]

No, I think you're right. If its YP then retake won't make a difference, just got to convince them you would actually attend. Usually a genuine LOCI clears that up.

True, a LOCI doesn't hurt, but a retake can = more money, so on a financial level independent from admissions probably isn't bad advice either.

Yeah, I think unless you're a splitter and/or have a full ride to your chosen school every applicant should retake June just to try and get more money (unless you go to HYS and there is no such thing as merit aid).

[BVest]

If you apply late in the cycle, a lot if it is simply waiting if it's a school you would have gotten into early in the cycle.

[Baby_Got_Feuerbach]

If you apply late in the cycle, a lot if it is simply waiting if it's a school you would have gotten into early in the cycle.

Yeah, I applied extremely late, like just days (or hours) before some deadlines. Waitlisted at all but one school I applied to (yet to hear from one, actually*).

Do you think this will mean my wait to hear off the WL will be longer or shorter than most? No effect at all? My #s are: GPA all beneath 25th, LSAT all at or above 50th or 75th.

[BVest]

If you apply late in the cycle, a lot if it is simply waiting if it's a school you would have gotten into early in the cycle.

Yeah, I applied extremely late, like just days (or hours) before some deadlines. Waitlisted at all but one school I applied to (yet to hear from one, actually*).

Do you think this will mean my wait to hear off the WL will be longer or shorter than most? No effect at all? My #s are: GPA all beneath 25th, LSAT all at or above 50th or 75th.

I mean I applied late and I was generally 25th/75th, but I got in off all four of the WL I was on (two right about now and two in mid-June).

[Baby_Got_Feuerbach]

If you apply late in the cycle, a lot if it is simply waiting if it's a school you would have gotten into early in the cycle.

Yeah, I applied extremely late, like just days (or hours) before some deadlines. Waitlisted at all but one school I applied to (yet to hear from one, actually*).

Do you think this will mean my wait to hear off the WL will be longer or shorter than most? No effect at all? My #s are: GPA all beneath 25th, LSAT all at or above 50th or 75th.

I mean I applied late and I was generally 25th/75th, but I got in off all four of the WL I was on (two right about now and two in mid-June).

How long do schools give us to think it over and commit? I'd hate to get off a WL, accept + deposit, then get off another WL just a couple weeks later and have to do it all over again.

[BVest]

For those about now, it was a week or two on one and 24 hours on the other; one in June was short, but I don't recall how short and the other I don't recall at all.

[JimmyFredette]

Thanks for the thread.

For one of the schools to which I applied, I was waitlisted in February. I sent an additional letter of recommendation, followed by a LOCI under the auspices of checking the receipt of that letter; I then spent a couple of paragraphs specifying my interest in the school (I love your clinics, this professor is very interesting, I will attend if admitted, etc).

I visited early April -- The admissions counselor said that I was in "good shape" and that "everything looked great," and I've done, "everything supposed to do."

My concern is that I showed all my cards too early. I was thinking about either:

1. Sending one more LOCI (interesting and relevant new project at work) right before the deposit deadline to remind them that I still exist.

2. Sending that LOCI early May and calling once right before the deposit deadline (early June).

Any thoughts? Is contacting once a month too much, is contacting once in two months too little?

[peaches9848]

Thanks for the thread.

For one of the schools to which I applied, I was waitlisted in February. I sent an additional letter of recommendation, followed by a LOCI under the auspices of checking the receipt of that letter; I then spent a couple of paragraphs specifying my interest in the school (I love your clinics, this professor is very interesting, I will attend if admitted, etc).

I visited early April -- The admissions counselor said that I was in "good shape" and that "everything looked great," and I've done, "everything supposed to do."

My concern is that I showed all my cards too early. I was thinking about either:

1. Sending one more LOCI (interesting and relevant new project at work) right before the deposit deadline to remind them that I still exist.

2. Sending that LOCI early May and calling once right before the deposit deadline (early June).

Any thoughts? Is contacting once a month too much, is contacting once in two months too little?

I have been having a very similar experience - I got WLed at my top choice school back in December, visited in February, and have sent two LOCIs since (plus updated resume and a couple of extra rec letters). My only concern is that my numbers are around both 25ths for the school...do you all think that it's possible to get off the WL in such a situation? I really don't want to go to any other school this cycle except for the one I was WLed at, so I'm puzzled and anxious about what more I could possibly do apart from waiting..

[JimmyFredette]

Thanks for the thread.

For one of the schools to which I applied, I was waitlisted in February. I sent an additional letter of recommendation, followed by a LOCI under the auspices of checking the receipt of that letter; I then spent a couple of paragraphs specifying my interest in the school (I love your clinics, this professor is very interesting, I will attend if admitted, etc).

I visited early April -- The admissions counselor said that I was in "good shape" and that "everything looked great," and I've done, "everything supposed to do."

My concern is that I showed all my cards too early. I was thinking about either:

1. Sending one more LOCI (interesting and relevant new project at work) right before the deposit deadline to remind them that I still exist.

2. Sending that LOCI early May and calling once right before the deposit deadline (early June).

Any thoughts? Is contacting once a month too much, is contacting once in two months too little?

I have been having a very similar experience - I got WLed at my top choice school back in December, visited in February, and have sent two LOCIs since (plus updated resume and a couple of extra rec letters). My only concern is that my numbers are around both 25ths for the school...do you all think that it's possible to get off the WL in such a situation? I really don't want to go to any other school this cycle except for the one I was WLed at, so I'm puzzled and anxious about what more I could possibly do apart from waiting..

Depends on the school IMO. Being in the 25ths on both is a little bit of a ding, but doable from what I hear (again, depending on the school).

[juicebox]

Thanks for this thread! A few questions.

Can it hurt to write a LOCI that does not say that you'll definitely attend if admitted? I imagine saying "well, you've always been my top choice, and I think you still are, but another school has wooed me and now I just am not 100% sure" would not be the best strategy

Also, is it best to schedule a visit or just pop in? Not sure if you even can schedule a visit...

[JimmyFredette]

Thanks for this thread! A few questions.

Can it hurt to write a LOCI that does not say that you'll definitely attend if admitted? I imagine saying "well, you've always been my top choice, and I think you still are, but another school has wooed me and now I just am not 100% sure" would not be the best strategy

Also, is it best to schedule a visit or just pop in? Not sure if you even can schedule a visit...

Schedule a visit. I imagine it would be annoying if someone popped in and expected a meeting without prior notification (at the end of the day, it's an office like any other).

As for the IAIWA, definitely say it (if you mean it). The people that they really wanted to reach for can probably use this line, but as a waitlister, they want to know that they won't have to make a second call after you.

On the WL, you don't have significant leverage, and I imagine trying to, "If you call in the next 20 minutes, I'll still attend your school" an acceptance out of them will not go well.

[juicebox]

Thanks for this thread! A few questions.

Can it hurt to write a LOCI that does not say that you'll definitely attend if admitted? I imagine saying "well, you've always been my top choice, and I think you still are, but another school has wooed me and now I just am not 100% sure" would not be the best strategy

Also, is it best to schedule a visit or just pop in? Not sure if you even can schedule a visit...

Schedule a visit. I imagine it would be annoying if someone popped in and expected a meeting without prior notification (at the end of the day, it's an office like any other).

As for the IAIWA, definitely say it (if you mean it). The people that they really wanted to reach for can probably use this line, but as a waitlister, they want to know that they won't have to make a second call after you.

On the WL, you don't have significant leverage, and I imagine trying to, "If you call in the next 20 minutes, I'll still attend your school" an acceptance out of them will not go well.

Thanks! Of course wouldn't pop in if it's common/allowed for applicants to schedule an appointment. Just didn't know if it was. Going to take it from your answer that it is allowed - good to know!

The second doesn't really answer my question though... I was saying that I'm no longer 100% sure that I'd definitely attend if admitted, and don't want to be disingenuous. So my question is: does a LOCI WITHOUT the "I will definitely attend if admitted" line hurt your app?