<p>Speaking as an Oberlin alumna who was originally wait-listed and as a former employee of the Oberlin Admissions office, monydad is completely right in saying that “it’s a highly subjective and imprecise process.” Who knows why you were wait-listed. Perhaps a ton of students apply with similar stats from your area. Maybe your reserved manner left Oberlin wondering whether they’re just another school for you rather than a place you could really see yourself being happy. You don’t seem to have done anything <em>wrong</em> from what I can tell, so you shouldn’t be worrying about that. </p>
<p>Just add your name to the wait-list, and send in the information they request. A strong recommendation e-mail from an Oberlin alum might be a benefit, but a few strong supplemental things are infinitely better than a load of just-okay letters, essays, and recommendations. And, of course, here is Elizabeth’s post on the subject… [Oberlin</a> Blogs | Blog Entry: “A Word to the Waitlisted”](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/applying/a_word_to_the_w.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/applying/applying/a_word_to_the_w.shtml)</p>