Don't Let This Happen

cptofthehouse
Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:45:02 +0000

My advice on waitlists, is that if the school interests you, accept a spot, spend a day or so putting together whatever you might have to enhance your chances there, let your GC know if one of them is your true first choice and ask her/him to let the school know, and then FUGIDABUDIT or however that is spelled. Just go right on ahead and procede with the school you selected that also selected you and has the price tag your family can afford.

When and if accepted off the WL, if cost is an issue, it should be addressed then. I have seen kids get good aid packages even off the waitlists of schools that do not guarantee to meet need. When it comes to the waitlist, the colleges do not want to fool around either. They want this over with, so to offer a spot to a high need student and not offer aid is really a likely waste of time when you want these spots filled now. So, often getting off the wait list is not a need blind process but if you get off, it is very possible your need will be met. Everyone, including the adcoms are DONE by then and want to put the matter to rest.

So, no don’t avoid waitlists, but be aware that they may not be needblind in selection even if the college is for admisions purposes through the regular season.