How to get off the waitlist?

[Anonymous]

DS is waitlisted at Vandy WashU, Emory-oxford and Uchicago
He's in at Texas am, UCSB, and UCSD. We obviously want to get off one of the waitlist. What should we do?

[Anonymous]

Cross your fingers?

[Anonymous]

Sit and wait

[Anonymous]

I do not think there is any special magic formula. If WashU needs a tuba player and you happen to be one, you might get the call. If a classmate declines UChicago, you might get that spot. If there is something new to add (I just cured Cancer!) certainly send the update.

Best to just focus on the actual choices..

[Anonymous]

Do they ask for a letter of continued interest? Say you can upload additional information?

[Anonymous]

Keep showing you're interested. DD's friend got into Lehigh from the waitlist by pestering the admissions office. And yes, wait. It's a tough year, but things will shake out.

[Anonymous]

UCSD!! All vacations planned for the next four years!!

[Anonymous]

Emory-oxford ... didn't do main campus Emory? Seems like if he reached out to Emory-oxford expressing undying love as his first choice, he would get in.

[Anonymous]

Ask your GC to work it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep showing you're interested. DD's friend got into Lehigh from the waitlist by pestering the admissions office. And yes, wait. It's a tough year, but things will shake out.

The fact that it is a tough year may it more likely that you will have waitlist success. A lot of kids applied to way more schools than usual, so there will be a lot of jockeying. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Definitely keep in touch and continue to show interest, as others have said. If he's an athlete planning to play in college, have the coach call the school to lobby for him. That's how my brother got off a waitlist at a top SLAC.

[Anonymous]

He has a number on the list. Unless you can financially commit to donating a building, there is nothing you can do.

[Anonymous]

Hopefully you are full pay...

[Anonymous]

Submit your LOCI. Tell one of them it’s your top choice and will attend if chosen.

[Anonymous]

My godson was waitlisted at a top 20 school. His private college counselor/consultant said that at this point he should plan to go to one of the schools he was accepted at.

At the top schools the only thing that is moving the waitlist is a major financial donation or someone well connected at the university (president or member of the governing board) advocating for him. Fortunately he's in at some other schools where he will be quite happy...but I wouldn't expect a lot of waitlist movement this year at top schools.