Guys can you analyze my waitlist and tell me your thoughts?

Prep School Admissions
1

Hello!
March 10 was the day boarding schools sent out their admission decisions
I got waitlisted at threeout of the eight boarding schools I applied (Lawrenceville, St Marks, Miss Porters school)
Denied at three and waiting on the last one. (fingers cross)
I was just wondering on that if based on my waitlist letter if i have even the slimest chance of getting accepted.(even though I know its next to impossible
Lawerenceville:

Dear ,

Thank you for allowing us to participate in … search for the perfect school. We have appreciated the opportunity to learn about… and to help her reflect upon the educational environment that will best match her skills and talents in the years ahead. We, too, have spent much time reflecting upon the match between applicant and school for each of our more than 2,000 applicants.

The Admission Committee has reviewed… file and feels she possesses many qualities which would fit well within the Lawrenceville community. Unfortunately, when working with a large and distinguished group of applicants, we will inevitably have fewer places available than we wish. As a result, the Admission Committee would like to offer … a place on our Wait List.

At the moment we cannot predict if or when an opening in our enrollment might develop for … However, it is our sincere hope that you and… will choose to accept a place on our Wait List. By doing so we can keep… in consideration for enrollment at Lawrenceville. To accept … place on the Wait List, please follow the directions below.
…
Thank you for your continued interest in Lawrenceville. It is our sincere hope that an opening in our enrollment will develop for …

St Marks:

The Admission Committee has met to review your application for admission. Although we are not able to offer you acceptance to St. Mark’s at this time, we have placed your name in our Wait Pool.

As you know, St. Mark’s has built an intentionally small community that encourages students to think beyond themselves, to stretch themselves with the support and encouragement of our faculty. We have chosen to place you in the Wait Pool because we think you would make a fine addition to this community, however, given this year’s record number of incredible applicants, our space is limited. Should a space become available, we will notify you, but it may not be until April 10 or shortly thereafter. You will only be notified in the event that we are able to offer you acceptance to St. Mark’s. If you would like to remain in the Wait Pool, please send an email to Ms. Anne Behnke at admission@stmarksschool.org at your earliest convenience, but no later than April 10.

SO what you think?

(Miss Porters notifed me they only put 60 applicants in the waitpool and their yield suggests that more than half will forfiet the waitpool)

Thanks and BE HONEST GUYS. Dont give me false hope.

2

Unless we know more about you as an applicant we have no idea how you stack up in general. Also are you full pay or do you need financial aid?

3

In general, WL letters are standard, or the same to all the WL’ed. There’s nothing to read into.

4

Read nothing into a waitlist letter. It’s a generic form. The odds of getting off a waitlist a very slim, and when they go to the waitlist, they will pull a very specific applicant (e.g. the female 9th grade oboe-playing boarder to replace the one who declined the admissions offer).

5

Getting in off the waitlist is very tough. Most of this depends on the yield. If the yield this year is greater than expected, this means that they may not even go to the waitlist. At my son’s BS there are a handful of students each year who get in off the waitlist, but not many.

I would start to make plans for next year, and if the waitlist comes through, then its a bonus. But don’t sit around waiting for it. Good luck

6

So, the way that I read it was, that out of 8 schools you were waitlisted at 3, rejected at 3, waiting on 1, which only equals 7. Were you accepted to one then as well? If so, why not go there and not worry about the waitlist?

7

To anonymous- my daughter went to miss Porters and had an amazing experience. She also was pulled off the waitlist. It is a smaller school but mostly the fact that it is single sex means that there is POTENTIALLY more of a move on the waitlist. ( i stress potentially). My own theory is that it has to do with the fact that some students apply to the single sex schools with the parents being very enthusiastic, but when push comes to shove many kids decide they can’t hack the single sex environment, and they opt for co-ed. These are teenagers, after all. But the group that end up there are by and large very committed to academics, and really want to focus on bettering themselves in every way. If you think this school would be good for you, i would pick up the phone and call the admissions director and state your case. Unlike a bigger school where it’s just about the numbers, Porters is generally very nurturing and holistic in their approach. Definitely worth a shot to make sure they really remember who you are. If you really want to be there it could make the difference if they have room good luck!