If You Are Wait-Listed In College

Every year thousands of students who may have bypassed college planning get denied or wait-listed at our nation’s "Elite" colleges. These are good students who may be at the top 10% of their class and sport a solid number of extra-curricular activities. However, “Elite” colleges require more than the posted admission requirements. Those are only minimums. Students also need a solid “hook” or “tipping factor” that the college can use. It’s all about what you bring to the table of that college. If that table needs a side dish of asparagus or potatoes to complement the main meal, then a college looks for that “side dish”, even if you are a student who brings a batch of chocolate chips cookies. The April-cruel part is this: who could refuse a batch of chocolate chip cookies? Each student is valuable and brings to a college a unique set of personal characteristics and gifts beyond what they have achieved academically

As an English major in college, April for wait-listed and denied college applicants reminds me of T. S. Eliot’s cruelest month, “breeding lilacs out of the dead land and mixing memory and desire”. It’s a time of reckoning for students who applied to college based on desire rather than realistic expectation. For some students “winter kept them warm, covering the earth in forgetful snow, feeding a little life with dried tubers”. These tubers fed the hope that an idealized Ivy League or “Elite” college would say “Yes”. Unfortunately, hopes that were kept alive in winter may come crashing down in April, when these “Elite” colleges send out their letters. In April all colleges must get back to their applicants with a definitive answer, says the National Association for College Admission Counselors (NACAC). Don’t have a pity party if you are denied! Close the book on the “Elite” and move on to those “safe” colleges that accepted you.

This article is not for students who were admitted last November through early action or early decision or have already been accepted to their top choice college. This article is for those students who were denied by their first, second or even third choice “Elite” college. It’s for those who are wait listed at a college they want.

The good news is that students can find many colleges that fit their needs and personality preferences even if they don't get into those "Elite" colleges. In fact, the farther away they move from the Ivy League and "Elite" colleges the more likely they are to find a place at a dinner table that very much appreciates their contribution.

If you get wait listed and still love (or are obsessed by) that Ivy League or Elite college, then here are some tips about what to do:

1.If you have any new information to add to your file, such as a new and improved SAT score, a 5 in an AP exam or a much improved grade in an Honors Math class, send the transcript to your Ivy League or Elite college.

2.If the principal or head of your school graduated from the college that has wait listed you, and he respects your work and behavior, then ask him/her to write a recommendation on your behalf.

3.Even if your school principal did not graduate from the college that wait listed you but he/she knows you quite well and can add something new to your already submitted file, ask if he/she will write a recommendation for you.

4. Do reply immediately if you receive a questionnaire or card from this college asking if you still want to remain on their wait list,if you are absolutely positive you would attend even at this late date. You’d be surprised to know that after the first card is sent out, only 50% of wait listed applicants reply. This enables the college to cut their wait list in half. After the second card is mailed the college wait list is reduced again and only about a quarter of applicants remain on the wait-list.

5. This is when demonstrated interest counts. But you have to be honest with yourself and the college. It’s OK to have sent your commitment deposit to the college that already accepted you. However, don’t tell the college that has wait listed you “yes, yes, yes I’ll come if you accept me” and then back out. I have seen a student do this with a military academy. It was probably for the best because this student might have gotten into trouble with his indecision in a military setting.

6 At this point, do your calculations here, :) put your AP Statistics to good use: what is the probability that your name will rise to the top of the wait list?

7. Call the college and ask to speak with the admission counselor for your region. After re-stating your love for the college, ask how many students remain on the waiting list and what is your place on that wait list.

8. Build your relationship with your admission rep but refrain from calling or emailing every week. (don't be a pest! :) )

9. Be sure to always call yourself. Don’t let your parents call.

10. When the college asks how you will pay, be honest about your financial need.

11. Although colleges are likely to favor students who can pay fully and on their own if accepted, if you need financial aid in order to attend say so. Don’t play the bait and switch game with colleges.

12. If the Elite college says “If we admit you we have no financial aid” and you do need financial aid to pay for college, move on. This practice by colleges is called “admit-deny” and it results on wait-listed students with financial need paying much more for college than those already admitted.
13. Be prepared to wait until May and June to see if any spots open up. There is some fall-out of accepted students who may change their mind in the summer. It’s not over until it’s over.

14. Some colleges will have additional fall-out from September to December and may invite a wait listed student to enroll in January.

15. Other colleges may suggest a student do a “study-abroad semester” for the fall of freshman year.

16. Re-examine your reasons for wanting the “Elite” college. This book "Find the Perfect College For You" help you figure out how your MBTI® personality preferences fit in at Ivy League and other “Elite” colleges.

17. Don’t forget to deposit at a college that has accepted you. Do this before May 1st, NACAC’s “universal” commit date for students.

18. Do not double deposit just to keep your options open at two colleges. If colleges find out you may lose both acceptances. Besides, this is a good time to start adhering to an honor code that will serve you well in college and in life.