The Joy of Waitlisting

bristolstomp · 04-01-2009, 04:37 PM

my son got waitlisted at a few very selected schools and got into a couple good ones. My problem is my S wants to go to Hamilton more than breathing. He is a jazz musician among other things and had a spontaneous jam session with a prof. when he visited. So I'm not sure what "a demonstated interest in attending Hamilton" as mentioned on the waitlist letter really means in the real world. I'm new to this process. Any rational thoughts greatly appreciated.

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 12:11 AM

If your son is truly intersted in the school, he has to to keep reminding Hamilton that it is his first choice. Update letters, maybe another recommendation, etc. I recommend including a commitment letter, stating that your son WILL come if taken.

bristolstomp · 04-02-2009, 11:59 AM

for the suggestions. my son has already started working on this. I know its a long shot but it means so much to him. We are also thinking about withdrawing our request for Fin Aid. I know Fin Aid doesn't usually come to waitlisters anyway, but after some frantic extended family negotiations, we know we could guarantee tuition and fees in a week or to as a show of our support for his efforts. What do you/ or anyone lse think?

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 04:44 PM

withdrawing financial aid can seriously help your cause at getting in ... the waitlist is NOT needblind ... they look at financial needs when deciding who to take off. If it means that much to your son, go for it!

ATLs09 · 04-02-2009, 07:25 PM

To what extent should we provide additional information if it is our #1?
Another rec? Supplements? Updates? All, or just one? Can we possibly "bother" them wih too much, or will it show the interest??

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 08:37 PM

An update declaring the school as your top choice - and promising to go if they take you - will help. Another rec can possibly help, if it adds something different to the application. Try not to repeat yourself ...

ATLs09 · 04-02-2009, 08:51 PM

Ok-cool. So are like art supplements fine? I didn't really put a lot into my app when I sent it, which I now regret severely.

What if it is my top, but FA could be a factor- which obviously I am willing to risk FA by possibly going from the waitlist. Is it still okay to declare its a definite in a letter?

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 08:58 PM

Well, waitlisted students typically don't receive as much (or any) FA. If you do not get a nice package, will you not attend?

ATLs09 · 04-02-2009, 09:10 PM

I know they receive little or none.. I would just hope for the little. I would attend, I am just not in the position to offer withdrawing need completely. My application was also incomplete when processed, so I hope to complete it in hopes that that covers up the uncertainty in my final admissions decision.

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 09:13 PM

Well, it will show up how much aid you are being offered when they look at the waiting list ... I'm not sure if this is taboo, but maybe calling and seeing how much they might offer you? have other schools offered you good aid packages? which?

what was incomplete in your file?

ATLs09 · 04-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Well I have great packages at lower LACs that cover most tuition, like Urich and furman. Full tuition at uga and ga tech due to instate and academics. I'm still waiting on a few.

I didn't have an expository essay.
And no interview which was optional, but it was emphasized that those are helpful.

Wait- so for wait lists they may choose a less qualified applicant if a more qualified student's package is higher?..or would they just lower the more qualified student's package?

R4484 · 04-02-2009, 09:56 PM

if they have a student they really want to take who needs a lot of financial aid, and a student who they want but not quite as much with no FA needs, they would take the second student.

send the expository essay ... almost definitely too late for an interview. If you know anyone at/from Hamilton, have them write a rec.

ATLs09 · 04-05-2009, 12:46 PM

Thanks for the advice, R4484. I mentioned that I didn't have an interview primarily because I was shocked that on top of not sending in the essay, I got wait-listed. I will definitely send the essay, and maybe some updates!

macdaddy1163 · 04-05-2009, 04:25 PM

its odd. i didn't even submit my supplement and completely expected to be rejected, but i ended up getting waitlisted. did they do this in hopes of attracting better students and convincing them to finish apps or were the apps just down that much this year. it was a pleasant surprise after being rejected from pretty much everywhere else, but i don't know if i'm going to even put my name on the list...

ATLs09 · 04-06-2009, 12:06 AM

^ that is weird, but I do know of excellent candidates who were flat out rejected. Did you have a piece of your application that may have stood out for some reason?