waitlisted

scared6378 · 05-04-2008, 10:15 AM

Does anyone know if Grinnell is going to be using its waitlist?

OniLawliet · 05-04-2008, 03:29 PM

I have the same question.

I was waitlisted too, but told that I'm apparently "high priority" as I have a legacy. My GC and I spoke with head of admissions on Friday who said that, AT THAT TIME, it didn't seem likely they would be going to the waitlist, but said that could all change come Monday. I'm calling tomorrow to get an update...

I DESPERATELY want in at Grinnell though...I've done so much too. Had my GC/head of admissions call, written a new letter that speaks to why I want to attend, had a new rec mailed...I really hope I can get in.

scared6378 · 05-04-2008, 09:04 PM

Yeah, I actually got off of another school's waitlist late Friday and wanted to check in with Grinnell one more time before I commit to this school. I doubt they'll have an answer for me tomorrow morning, but seeing as my deadline for the other school is Monday, it's my only option =/

scared6378 · 05-04-2008, 09:07 PM

btw, good luck onilawliet!

OniLawliet · 05-04-2008, 10:21 PM

Dude, I'm in the EXACT SAME predicament as you...I got removed from Connecticut College's waitlist last Thursday, and they've given me until Monday (gah, tomorrow!) to decide...That's the same time that my GC and I are calling Grinnell to see if there's any news...

What will likely happen for me is this: if Grinnell knows tomorrow, and says yes, then I will go without a doubt. I will seriously just say yes before the admissions rep can finish speaking. I'm so excited. If they say that they don't know for sure, then I will probably accept at Conn and still wait for Grinnell. If Grinnell ultimately says no, then to Conn I go, but I otherwise will keep on waiting...

What is the other school that accepted you?

scared6378 · 05-05-2008, 02:52 PM

I got in at Hamilton. I actually decided against calling Grinnell. I thought about it a lot and realized Hamilton is probably a better fit for me anyway. Hope things worked out for you. If not, Conn College is a great school -- my cousin goes there and is having a blast.

rjwh08 · 05-05-2008, 04:01 PM

I called today, and the admissions rep told me that they over enrolled and they are sending back the people who got their deposits postmarked after may 1st.

soo basically they are not using the waitlist at all

IzzyD · 05-05-2008, 04:49 PM

Wait... Grinnell is turning away people who straight-out got in (not in off the waitlist)?

tetrishead · 05-05-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

I called today, and the admissions rep told me that they over enrolled and they are sending back the people who got their deposits postmarked after may 1st.

soo basically they are not using the waitlist at all

Are you serious? If they did this I'd be surprised if they don't end up pulling a Dartmouth and offering the kids they can't take 1 year deferred admission and frozen tuition.

stepherzzz · 05-05-2008, 06:52 PM

Wow, they're sending back people whose deposits were postmarked after May 1? That's crazy. Now I'm just hoping mine didn't get lost in the mail.

IlikeDice · 05-05-2008, 09:23 PM

wow, can they do that?

rjwh08 · 05-05-2008, 09:34 PM

the rep told me that people who got in (as in really got in, not got in off the wait list) but postmarked their deposits after may 1st are being turned away.

tetrishead · 05-05-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

wow, can they do that?

An offer isn't really binding until a deposit is in, the award is finalized and the student is registered (and freshmen don't register until they're on campus in August), so any school could do this assuming they refund the deposit. It's been done before iirc, I just can't remember the schools. It's really not difficult to expel someone anyway, mostly it's the students who have to deal with binding legalities, not the schools.

IlikeDice · 05-05-2008, 09:48 PM

well lucky for me i sent in my deposit around april 15th!

i'm soooooooo sorry for other people if this is indeed affecting them; i'm also sorry for those of you on the waitlist...best of luck, guys

OniLawliet · 05-06-2008, 12:07 AM

I think the fact that Grinnell has "over-enrolled" is significant as it summarizes the intensity of this year's admissions climate fairly well. Remember that, from what I've read, Grinnell's yield is around 30%, and many applicants cross-apply to schools like Carleton, Amherst, and other top LACs. Given how competitive admissions have become, highly qualified applicants may have in a sense "settled" for Grinnell. Just read the "Waitlist success stories" thread on CCs main page. There are tons of waitlist stuff being posted there every day. One user and poster on the thread summarizes the waitlist situation that is occurring this year fairly well:

"If you think about it, with so many people waitlisted this year there's going to be a long cascading effect of people getting off the waitlist. Say X person was waitlisted at Harvard and accepted at Duke (and enrolled), and then was accepted off the waitlist at H say early May. They would then accept Harvard within the next few days, opening up another spot at Duke. Continuing with this, if Y person was accepted off the waitlist at Duke because of this new opening, the school they enrolled at would also now have a vacant spot which they would offer a few days later and this effect would continue down the universities, domino-like. Sorry if my phrasing is difficult to understand :S

What i'm trying to say is that this year the admission "season" will be even more extended than it has ever been, with the time lag between when a spot opens up and a new waitlist student accepts it. All i can say is try your best to continue to show your interest (in Duke in your case) and keep your fingers crossed. Waitlists are always very difficult to get off, but you never know."
(posted by Uphill Battle)

The scenario the poster presents can be applied to any highly competitive and selective college (such as Grinnell) to explain the waitlist and intensity of admissions.

Gah, this post is getting long, but I just thought I'd add in my own personal situation. I called Grinnell today who told me that they received an additional 55 deposits today, and that is was looking less and less likely that they would go to their waitlist, and advised me to deposit at another school. However, I was then emailed later on by an admissions rep I've been in contact with who told me that nothing is set in stone yet, and that spots may become available as late as mid summer (think June or July). These spots are made avaialble by students who accept a waitlist offer from another school, decide not to attend, etc.

Basically, there's still a lot of hope. The intensity of college admissions this year has allowed for hectic yield rates and waitlist percentages. I wouldn't expect any of it to settle down until late May at least.

And I personally see no problem in Grinnell refusing admission to a student whose deposit is mailed after the deadline. Admitted students are given a whole month to ponder their choices and make a decision. Mailing something with a postmark of May 1st isn't a lot to ask for, and though I'm sure there are special cases, students should respect Grinnell's wish for that deadline.