<p>Hi everyone,
My oldest S is a senior this year and we applied to a number of colleges RD. This is our first experience with the college application process. Could someone explain to me how the waitlist system works. Since most colleges need an answer by May 1st, how can a waitlisted student accept a college’s offer after he accepted another college’s offer before May 1st. I am assuming that a college does not know how many students they need from the waitlist until they hear from all the accepted students first.</p>
<p>The RD accepted offer is not binding, BUT, with few exceptions, one loses the deposit payed by May 1. One is not accepting two offers, only a single offer was accepted at the time of the deposit. To accept the later offer, one must rescind the first offer acceptance.</p>
<p>My S was waitlisted at three schools. So, yes he paid his deposit at another school and in the meantime sent back two of the waitlist postcards (decided he didn’t care anymore about the third school). When he got in off the waitlist at one of those schools, once he accepted that spot, (which was not right away actually, as we did not know the financial aid picture for several weeks, so it was contingent on that info) he had to tell the other school that he had changed his mind, and yes, lost the deposit. </p>
<p>I suppose it could happen that you could go through this more than once if you got off the waitlist of one school, accepted the spot, and then later got off the waitlist of an even more highly desired school. It is unlikely, but it could happen, I suppose . . .</p>
<p>I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand, it’s a legitimate concern for the colleges to want to know who is most interested in attending their school. On the other hand, it leaves the field wide open to strategy and gaming tactics for those who are savvy and in the know as compared to students who are not. </p>
<p>I think my biggest concern is that if “showing interest” is really so important to these schools then they should more openly state that fact on their websites - you really have to go digging for the information in some cases. This gives the advantage to the unusually well informed student, perhaps one with a paid consultant or tuned in parent or GC, at the expense of some equally wonderful students.</p>
<p>roshke: I don’t know how much more explicit, “If you want to still be considered for admission to Chicago, you should claim your spot on the wait list and start talking to your admissions counselor. Tell him or her how awesome you are, how much you love Chicago, and send in more credentials to prove your wonderfulness.” can be.</p>
<p>mini: In my experience, sincerity is the key ingredient. Statistically, I doubt adding another 1560 to the pool makes that much of a difference, plenty with those numbers don’t get off the list. However, in support of your other observation, watch for the banner ads for services for wait listed students come April.</p>
<p>I think it’s great for a school to put together a class of kids who really want to be there - to form an identity for the school and have loyal, supportive students. </p>
<p>I only care about how the colleges choose to go about this. If they require a “Why This College” essay and ask that recommenders address the issue of the student’s fit into the school, that’s great. No gaming necessary - levels the playing field. OTOH, if the college counts visits, contact since age 6, and other nonsense, the system leaves itself open to manipulation.</p>
<p>I have to admit to demonstrating interest to get off law school waitlists - I called up the school I’m at now and offered to drive 700 miles each way to interview in person. I called to follow up on the receipt of my waitlist letter. Actually, I just called for any reason. I am not wealthy - had to take time off from work for the drive - was able to couple with with another school in the area - but it worked. I got off the waitlist before my interview. (1500 miles in 3 days, by the way, stinks.)</p>
<p>aries–driving 700 miles each way! Yeah, that would demonstrate interest!</p>
<p>idad, Sorry for the confusion, I wasn’t referring to U Chicago or the waitlist process, but to “demonstrating interest” as a factor in RD applications in general. I guess this thread has taken on two different subjects!</p>
<p>Here is another question–in my S’s case, the school (UChicago in his case) did call and ask if he was still interested. And that seems reasonable to me. Are there schools that admit people off the waitlist WITHOUT calling them first to see if they are likely to accept an offer at that point? It would seem to me, that because of the time factor, that is unlikely, but I’m just curious . . .</p>