rofflez

I've been waitlisted and I'm starting to write my update letter, and I was wondering if anyone had a few tips? I saw the other threads and will be expressing my continued interest in attending, a few updates on things I have done, and one extra letter of recommendation. Is there anything else I should add?

Also, who should I address the letter to? / How do I find out who my regional admissions officer is?

thanks.

hopeful33

On the statement that Princeton sent to wait listed applicants, it said:

"You do not need to send us any additional information unless it is 'late-breaking news.'"
"It is not necessary to ask for more letters of recommendation. We have everything we need in your profile."

Do you have "late-breaking news"? Is it okay to send in update letters even if nothing significant has happened?

Thanks.

rofflez

I'm not sure... anyone else have more input ?

J'adoube

I think your time would be put to better use enjoying your last 2 months of high school and concentrating your energies on deciding which school you will attend from the ones that accepted you outright. IMO waitlist=limbo.

J'adoube

hopeful33 is right. They couldn't be more clear.

I think your time would be put to better use enjoying your last 2 months of high school and concentrating your energies on deciding which school you will attend from the ones that accepted you outright. IMO waitlist=limbo.

However, this doesn't mean that you should take your name off the waitlist. Just, don't think about it.

Vango

Since everyone on the waitlist is already deemed qualified to attend Princeton (which is why you were waitlisted and not outright rejected), it's probably not necessary to add more to your file unless you have a major new accomplishment. If places open up and they begin to draw from the waitlist, they will probably choose students who have a similar profile to the accepted students who decide not to go to Princeton. In other words, if a student who is an oboe player decides not to attend, they may look for another oboe player to replace him. The fact that you have accepted a place on the waitlist already signals your continued interest in Princeton.

That being said, good luck! Of the ten people I know who got into Princeton and also either Harvard and/or Yale, only half of them are seriously considering attending Princeton. If that is representative of other students who have to choose between HYP, it seems there is a good chance there will be some movement on the waitlist.

richs73cas

Hard to predict if they will use the wait list this year, they only used it in 3 of the last 7 years.

Link to Common Data Sets: http://registrar1.princeton.edu/data/data.cfm
2007
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List...........792
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................483
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................47
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1244
3.8 % of Class came from the wait list

2006
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List...........1216
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................789
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................0
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1228
0 % of Class came from the wait list

2005
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List...........1207
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................794
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................0
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1229
0 % of Class came from the wait list

2004
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List...........1045
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................719
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................79
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1172
6.7 % of Class came from the wait list

2003
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List..........471
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................298
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................27
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1176
2.3 % of Class came from the wait list

2002
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List...........NA
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List....................NA
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.......................0
Total Class Size.............................................. .......1164
0 % of Class came from the wait list

2001
Number of qualified Applicants Placed on Wait List............NA
Number Accepting a Place on the Wait List.....................0
Number of wait-listed Students Admitted.........................0
Total Class Size.............................................. .........1185
0 % of Class comes from the wait list

Vango

^^^ It's true that they haven't used it much in the past, but they may be impacted by the fact that Harvard did away with its early admission, thereby causing more students to apply to both schools. Maybe Princeton already took that into account in the numbers it admitted, but it seems like there will be more uncertainty this year than in other years.

I<3Pi

I like what Vango is saying haha

Powis

It's certainly anticipated that Princeton will make more use of the waitlist this year because there was no early decision this year. The yield is just a guessing game as a result, Harvard is assuming a larger yield than Princeton based on the number they admitted.

jkjkjkj

Waitlisted, right here. It was my #1 school, I loved it so much for so many reasons! Please let me in...Okay sorry, had to get that out. But yeah, I'm working on a letter and sending in new grades, hoping for the best.

Alumother

Go for it guys. This year I predict there will be more waitlist usage. Of course, I am NOT an expert but I think if you love Princeton then send your extra letter because intent may count.

patrook

If you do send a letter, what should you put in it? CalTech's Waitlist asks you to list changes that have occured. I assume the Princeton letter would be more along the lines of an actual letter?

I<3Pi

Would new grades count as "late-breaking news"?