Help with where to go from here

Northern Lights · 03-26-2008, 08:03 PM

So I applied to Carleton and got Wait Listed. I don't really know where to go from here because Carleton has always been my very first choice for college and I really regret not applying for Early Decision.

I know there's not a lot of hope of getting off the wait list, but I really need to try.

Here are the Stats on me:

MN
White
No Sports
Theatre 5 Years for High School Productions. Community Theatre 1 year.
Knowledge Bowl 5 Years. Advancing to regions.
Band 7 Years.
NHS
Hospital Volunteer
I am seated on the Board of Directors of a Non-Profit Organization
Work Part Time. 15 -20 hours a week
ACT: 29 10 writing
GPA: 3.8 UW
Took the Only AP class my high school offers and all 7 Concurrent Enrollment, and honors classes.

I know its not very special but I have to do something to boost my hopes of getting in.

ctownes · 03-26-2008, 11:49 PM

From your statistics, I think that you still have a chance of getting in off the waitlist (there are numbers floating around the carleton forum about previous years' waitlist). If I were you, I would send them a letter/email or better call, and explain your interest and regret at not applying ED. Also I think it would not hurt to go through your school to update them on academic improvements or to send samples of your work.

Just out of interest, how did you find out? Are letters arriving yet? I know they were sent on the 21st...

IzzyD · 03-27-2008, 09:03 AM

Yes, letters are starting to arrive; I got mine a few days ago.

limner · 03-27-2008, 09:17 AM

Northern Lights, first step is to tell Carleton that you want a place on the wait list. LACalum posted sound advice on another thread. You can find it here:

Confused about "Waitlisted"

Once you've heard from all your schools, take a good long look at your choices. You can find some info on choosing on Carolyn Lawrence's blog here:

admissionsadvice.com

The other thing to think about is if, by going on a wait list, you want to prolong this often agonizing process of college admissions. You really have nothing to lose and a spot at Carleton to gain by going on the wait list, however, try to be aware of the emotional issues (not being able to get excited about the school you send in a deposit to, etc.) of the wait list. Good luck!

Northern Lights · 03-29-2008, 08:19 PM

I got wait listed at UChicago too . . . Top two choices were Carleton and UC . I could go to St. Thomas, or St. John's University as my options right now. Does anyone know how much MN applicants are hurt by applying to carleton?

Northern Lights · 04-12-2008, 09:51 AM

So I replied to UC and Carleton, but told Carleton I truly would go there if accepted. This is agonizing, I should have applied ED to Carleton. Maybe then they would have realized how serious I am.

Northern Lights · 05-04-2008, 08:11 PM

Their letter said they'd get back after may 5th. I e-mailed an admissions advisor who was a big help.

Still hard, I know I'm made for the college. They just don't know me very well, I guess.

kimfred · 05-05-2008, 12:06 PM

Northern Lights, were pulling for you!

Let us know.

freestyla_y2k · 05-05-2008, 03:14 PM

Another really desperate waitlistee here...I also heard the same response that they'll be reaching those that were accepted after today, may 5th (I got this response right after I sent my confirmation letter via fax on April 4th.)

Does anyone know if they'll be taking anyone off from the waitlist this year? I was looking at some other thread from last year and it said that the freshman class was overenrolled in 2007 lol.

0_o....I'm actually very scared right now... Carleton's my last hope lol.....

limner · 05-05-2008, 03:32 PM

freestyla-y2k, I think it was the class of 2010 (which entered Carleton fall 2006) that was overenrolled. The yield was more than they expected.

Good luck to you and Northern Lights and other waitlistees!

Northern Lights · 05-10-2008, 12:18 PM

I haven't heard anything yet, does anyone know if Carleton will be going to their waitlist this year? I had e-mailed an admissions counselor a while ago and she said this: "Carleton does not rank students who have chosen to remain on the waitlist. About the middle of May, if we need to turn to the waitlist, we will look at all students equally. It will be a committee process, very similar to how we review students for regular decision." So, I hope that means that maybe by them sending stuff out right away, there's hope for being set apart by supplemental materials that I sent in.

fireflyscout · 05-10-2008, 02:55 PM

According to the Carleton newspaper, 495 students accepted admission to Carleton. In the past, Carleton has aimed for around 510. No word on the waitlist, from what I saw.