<p>ReaderCC:</p>
<p>Well, my daughter will be turning down W&M (no engineering, alas) for Bucknell, or, maybe U. of Delaware. I’d like to say that that is a spot off the waiting list, but not necessarily. It all depends on how many of the other accepted students accept or turn down their offers. You may be right that a higher percentage of Virginians will choose to go in-state to W&M rather than big-ticket private (Duke, Wake Forest, Emory, etc.). On the other hand, a higher percentage of OOS accepted students may choose to go elsewhere (Duke, Wake Forest, Emory, etc.) since W&M’s OOS costs have crept up to the privates’ costs and the privates offer more merit aid, so W&M no longer undercuts them on price (which may be to your D’s advantage if she is OOS).</p>
<p>Or, maybe not. Who knows? There will probably be some colleges that get more acceptances than they expected (or are prepared for) and some that will have to go to the waitlist more often than they expected. </p>
<p>Good luck, whatever happens and wherever she and your money end up going!</p>