<p>I was wait-listed at Chicago. And frankly I’m happy. Chicago wasn’t my top choice, it fits me in my intellectual ethos, but it’s just too cold. I had a wonderful interview and although my “favorite things” essay was weak, my application was strong overall. Simply put, it’s a number game now, UofC has become highly selective, and being very qualified isn’t enough to be accepted. I choose to apply there because of how strong it is in hard/pure sciences and philosophy - not because it’s a “prestigious safety” and BS like that. </p>
<p>I actually see my wait-listing as a reason enough to keep on hoping for HYP and Columbia. With a 12% admissions rate. I can easily fall in the 13th percent. or below it. It may simply depend at what time of day my application was read, and which applications they read directly before reading mine xD.</p>