<p>I agree, the waitlist round has been very cruel, even worse than the admissions round. To give 1000’s of students hope for 20 spots is fairly ridiculous, and even then there is absolute uncertainty about those few spots until after the kids are supposed to make up their minds. Am I the only person who is bothered by the fact that the time-frames for notification and the processes by which students are notified are unclear and vary from college to college? I think the colleges are “hedging their bets” and the students lose, because to be waiting, on pins and needles (with no absolute notification dates going in, no deadlines for the school), then twice-rejected, well it is a horrible experience to make kids endure. </p>
<p>While no one ever said attending any institution was a certain promise, I feel the schools should be much kinder and more ethical in their treatment of these students. I am starting to think the waitlists should be done away with completely. I actually respect U of Chicago for setting a deadline and getting back to you, as harsh as it feels to be released from the waitlist. It shows integrity and care for all students, not just those who are enrolled at their school, at an institutional level.</p>