Wait-listed seniors try to earn an acceptance letter to their preferred college
April 30, 2015
Seniors who see themselves attending their wait-listed schools in the fall are put in limbo at the beginning of May when deposits are due to secure a spot at a lesser-choice school, yet they are still hoping for that final acceptance letter.
Assuming that being on the wait list guarantees eventual admission is not always the final outcome, according to Interim College Counselor Joy Phillips.
“Being on wait list means that the school recognizes your potential,” Phillips said. “Unfortunately, because the applicant pool is so big it’s definitely unrealistic to be able to accept everyone.”
Before a student is taken off the wait list she needs to have a backup plan in case the school doesn’t work out, according to College Counseling Associate Kelly Whalen.
“You should have a strategy in place to deposit to a school by May 1, even if you still are on the wait list for your dream school,” Whalen said. “It can take some time, and you may never get off, but the deposit should be Plan A and wait list should be Plan B.”
Whalen suggests wait-listed students reach out to admission representatives for insight that could could help them get off the list.
“For the school I’m on the wait list for, I initially assumed that was where I was going to go,” senior Amanda Mah said. “I knew I wasn’t as academically strong as the typical students who go to that school, but I found out that you could appeal to get off of the wait list by writing letter explaining why I wanted to go there.”
Rather than be discouraged when waiting for a school to take one off its wait list, a student should show enthusiasm towards the school, which helps admissions know who to take seriously, according to Former Board Member at DePauw University Sam Phillips.
“Seniors should focus on their academics and contact reps more than ever in these next few weeks because it may become relevant in whether or not you get pulled off a wait list,” Phillips said. “Your admissions rep is your best resource when it comes to coming up with ideas for what you can personally do to make your case.”
Wait lists are able notify anxious applicants quickly through email or phone call when a space opens up, making the process faster than it has been in the past when schools relied on the U.S. Mail, according to Whalen.
“Students are applying to more schools because technology such as Common App and UC App allows them to do so,” Whalen said. “This means that there is the potential for them to be accepted to more schools and have more movement if they decide not to go to a school, opening up a position.”
Current juniors who find themselves on a wait list next year need keep in mind that they should be able to see themselves at every college they apply to, according to Mah.
“When [College Counseling Director] Rebecca Munda starts this process with the seniors, she encourages them to apply to schools that they would be happy to go to,” Phillips said. “Do not lose hope for the wait-listed schools, but get also excited about the schools you got accepted to and remember in the beginning they were good options for you.”
Sarah Selzer
Sports Editor
Seniors who see themselves attending their wait-listed schools in the fall are put in limbo at the beginning of May when deposits are due to secure a spot at a lesser-choice school, yet they are still hoping for that final acceptance letter.
Assuming that being on the wait list guarantees eventual admission is not always the final outcome, according to Interim College Counselor Joy Phillips.
“Being on wait list means that the school recognizes your potential,” Phillips said. “Unfortunately, because the applicant pool is so big it’s definitely unrealistic to be able to accept everyone.”
Before a student is taken off the wait list she needs to have a backup plan in case the school doesn’t work out, according to College Counseling Associate Kelly Whalen.
“You should have a strategy in place to deposit to a school by May 1, even if you still are on the wait list for your dream school,” Whalen said. “It can take some time, and you may never get off, but the deposit should be Plan A and wait
Senior Sabine Kelly talks to Interim College Counselor Joy Phillips about getting off the wait list at her top choice for college.
listshould be Plan B.”
Whalen suggests wait-listed students reach out to admission representatives for insight that could could help them get off the list.
“For the school I’m on the wait list for, I initially assumed that was where I was going to go,” senior Amanda Mah said. “I knew I wasn’t as academically strong as the typical students who go to that school, but I found out that you could appeal to get off of the wait list by writing letter explaining why I wanted to go there.”
Rather than be discouraged when waiting for a school to take one off its wait list, a student should show enthusiasm towards the school, which helps admissions know who to take seriously, according to Former Board Member at DePauw University Sam Phillips.
“Seniors should focus on their academics and contact reps more than ever in these next few weeks because it may become relevant in whether or not you get pulled off a wait list,” Phillips said. “Your admissions rep is your best resource when it comes to coming up with ideas for what you can personally do to make your case.”
Wait lists are able notify anxious applicants quickly through email or phone call when a space opens up, making the process faster than it has been in the past when schools relied on the U.S. Mail, according to Whalen.
“Students are applying to more schools because technology such as Common App and UC App allows them to do so,” Whalen said. “This means that there is the potential for them to be accepted to more schools and have more movement if they decide not to go to a school, opening up a position.”
Current juniors who find themselves on a wait list next year need keep in mind that they should be able to see themselves at every college they apply to, according to Mah.
“When [College Counseling Director] Rebecca Munda starts this process with the seniors, she encourages them to apply to schools that they would be happy to go to,” Phillips said. “Do not lose hope for the wait-listed schools, but get also excited about the schools you got accepted to and remember in the beginning they were good options for you.”
