Fistandantilus

Does anybody have any statistics regarding CMU's waitlist this year?

Specifically, I'm wondering if anybody knows how many priority waitlist spots are offered each year out of the ~3000 waitlisted + how many actually accept a place on the priority waitlist

I tried calling the admissions office but they simply referred me to the common data set. Was hoping that someone's counselor/parent might have better luck prying information from them.

lisieux

I think everyone is on priority waitlist, according to this thread:

Confused about priority wait list

Anomandaris

Not really what you asked for, but I guess it's related: College admissions dance gets longer, more complicated | csmonitor.com

Here's the relevant portion

"Aiming for about 1,400 students in its class, Carnegie Mellon enrolls 1,500, expecting that some who send in deposits will nonetheless jump to another school. Out of about 22,000 who applied this year, 3,000 were offered spots on a waiting list. By May 1, usually only 10 percent want to stay on the list, which would have meant 300. But Mr. Steidel says he was "a little overwhelmed" to find that by mid-April, it was 450 and counting."

No idea how many of the 450 belong to the 'priority waitlist' though

Does a higher than normal waitlist acceptance rate imply higher yield this year as well? If so, that doesn't bode well for those waitlisted (including me >.<)

o0shuo0o

my guidance counselor called the admissions office and asked for the number of people they will take off the waitlist. they would not tell her exactly how many people accepted a spot on the PWL, and they don't know how many open spots they have for the WL students. they said they would take around 50 people off the PWL for fall 2008.

hope this helps.

i'm on the PWL, and i really want to go to CMU.

Fistandantilus

Well, if what everybody says here is true then ...

1) The waitlist is At Least 450 long this year

2) Since everyone gets offered PWL, most, if not all, will opt for it (it's not legally binding right?)

3) ~50 will be taken off

I think I have a better idea of my chances now. If anyone else has anything to add/correct, feel free to do so

lisieux

Well.. If it makes you feel better.. I think I may be releasing my CMU spot I THINK...

Anomandaris

o0shuo0o, these 2 statements seem to contradict each other: "they don't know how many open spots they have for the WL students" & "they said they would take around 50 people off the PWL for fall 2008"

So 50 is simply a guess then?

abrcrmbiesmartie

When I went to a "waitlist session" at CMU, they told me the don't have a definite number of people who will be selected until after May 1st. They also said that on average, about 20% who were on the PWL get accepted.

o0shuo0o

to Anomandaris: well, they won't know the exact number until may 1st. my guidance counselor told me (when she called) that CMU normally takes 50 people off the waitlist. i am guessing 50 is the average number of people that got off the WL in previous years.

i hope this helps. call them if you have any q's or concerns.

oblivion

What shall we to have a higher ranking in the priority waitlist.

o0shuo0o

oh, one more thing. i called them today, and i spoke to one of the guidance counselors at CMU. she told me that once they know how many people they need from the waitlist, they will start ranking people based on "waitlist interest letter" and other additional grades, teacher rec, etc.

so, make sure you have a really good personal statement.

good luck to everyone.

Fistandantilus

Let me quote a post from abrcrmbiesmartie as well:

"On my recent visit, you can have what they call a "waitlist session", where they explain to you in detail about the waitlist procedure, both regular and priority, as well as how your fin aid will work. They also did say that you can send in other rec letters, but they REALLY want to have a letter of interest from you, or what they called a "personal statement". Doing these things, according to them, will help increase your ranking on the list, which is done after May1st, when all the deposits for regular admission have been counted, and they see where they need more students."

Seems like this "Personal Statement" is Very important to the CMU admission committee.

So ... any advice on what to include? Especially from those who called/visited - were any hints dropped? I've already sent mine in so it won't help me; but I guess others (or maybe even our counterparts from the future) might want to know.

Anomandaris

Just curious Fistandantilus, what did you write in your personal statement?

If you don't mind of course

Fistandantilus

Well I basically reiterated that CMU is my No1 choice, and stated without reservation that I would enroll if admitted

I also drew their attention to additional materials I had sent/will send in to beef up my credentials

It was a strongly-worded letter ... maybe a little too formal, but I didn't want to come across as overly emotional

oblivion

oOshuoOo

I have a C in econAP in my 3rd quarter, shall I send my grades ?