28 03, 2024

What To Do If You’re Waitlisted?

By |2024-03-28T02:33:59-04:00March 28th, 2024|Ivy League, Waitlisted|0 Comments

What To Do If You’re Waitlisted?

What to do if you’re waitlisted?  Were you just waitlisted on Ivy Day?  That eagerly anticipated day when all of the Ivy League colleges release their admissions decisions?

It’s a nerve-wracking experience for many high school seniors, as well as their parents.  The culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and aspirations for a amazing future. For some, the results are absolutely FANTASTIC!  For others, disappointing to say the least (p.s. you can always transfer). However, for a few select students, Ivy Day brings even more unexpected and confusing news: being placed on the waitlist.

What in the world to do now???

THE WAITLIST

While it may initially feel like a setback, being waitlisted does NOT mean it’s the end of the road for you and your dream school.  Really.  100%.  Read that sentence one more time:  this is NOT the end.  Every single year, I get so many, many students off the Ivy League waitlist  — UPenn, Princeton, Columbia, Dartmouth…even Harvard.  If you got waitlisted and have gotten this close to your dream school, know you CAN still get in.

Now, you do need to plan for your new freshman year as if you are going to go somewhere else, and you need to make the best strategic choice possible in terms of which alternative option to choose, but just know there is still hope that the school where you got waitlisted can still let you. in.

So, regroup for a moment and see this for the unique opportunity it actually is: a chance to showcase your continued interest in your dream school and potentially still secure a spot.  It’s all strategy from here on out, so if you find yourself in this situation, here’s what you need to do now:

Waitlisted Tip #1

Call me.  Seriously.  I know good strategy from bad strategy, and right now you need help.  First and foremost though, it is essential to remain POSITIVE and keep things in perspective. Being waitlisted is NOT a rejection; it’s an indication that the admissions committee sees strong potential in your application. If you got waitlisted it means you are competitive at the level of student they’re looking for, but there’s only a certain amount of room in each class, and now they need to see how many people will accept before they know how many more spots they will need to fill.

And you want to be ranked first for one of those spots.

Understand that being waitlisted is a common occurrence at all of the more selective Ivy League colleges where the number of applicants far exceeds the available spots. Take a moment to acknowledge your achievements and the effort you’ve put into your application to get you this far — because they could have rejected you outright yet DIDN’T.  That right there means you actually have what it takes, and now you just need a little push to get you over the edge.

WAITLISTED TIP #2

Next, carefully review the communication you received from the admissions office regarding your waitlist status. They may provide specific instructions or deadlines for submitting additional materials or expressing continued interest. Follow these instructions diligently and promptly. Failure to do so could signal to the admissions committee that you’re not genuinely interested in attending their school, potentially diminishing your chances of being admitted!

WAITLISTED TIP #3

The most crucial step in demonstrating your continued interest is writing a compelling letter to the admissions office. This letter should express your genuine enthusiasm for the school but more importantly, provide updates on any significant achievements or developments since submitting your application. YOU NEED TO MAKE IT SOUND IMPRESSIVE.

Whether it’s improved academic performance, extracurricular accomplishments, or new insights gained, use this letter as an opportunity to reaffirm why you’re an excellent fit for their institution. Personalize it to reflect your unique experiences and aspirations while remaining brief. I work with student every year to help them tailor their letter and discuss various ideas for content.

WAITLISTED TIP #4

Additionally, while waiting for a decision, it’s essential to have a backup plan in place. Explore other college options that align with your academic and personal goals, ensuring you have viable alternatives in case you’re not admitted off the waitlist.

Keep in mind that many exceptional institutions exist outside the Ivy League, and realize that you can always apply to transfer.  With this in mind, where you go to school can help or hurt you, in terms of getting into the Ivy League as a transfer student next year, so I advise you speak to someone knowledgeable in this area and get some good advice before you commit to a school and make your decision if transferring is your new goal.

WAITLISTED TIP #5

Use this time to reflect on your priorities and preferences for your college experience. Consider factors such as campus culture, location, size, academic offerings, and financial aid opportunities when evaluating your options. Keep an open mind and approach the decision-making process with flexibility and optimism. Remember that the college you ultimately choose will play a significant role in shaping your future, so it’s essential to make an informed decision that aligns with your values and aspirations.

Meanwhile, continue to stay engaged and involved in activities that showcase your passions and strengths. Whether it’s pursuing meaningful extracurriculars, volunteering in your community, or taking on leadership roles, continue to demonstrate your commitment to personal growth and making a positive impact. Admissions committees value students who are not only academically accomplished but also individuals with a genuine desire to contribute to others around them.

WAITLISTED TIP #6

Finally, regardless of the outcome, approach the situation with grace. Being waitlisted does not define your worth or potential, in fact it is actually the opposite!  And if you didn’t get in read my article here (Transferring Into the Ivy League) about how to transfer, even to the same school you just got rejected from and how I help students every year!

Regardless of what happened on Ivy Day though, keep moving forward with determination and confidence, knowing that you have the skills, talents, and resilience to succeed wherever life may take you.

IN CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, being waitlisted on Ivy Day may initially feel disheartening, but it’s essential to approach the situation with optimism, determination, and resilience. By demonstrating continued interest, exploring alternative options, staying engaged in meaningful activities, and knowing you can either get off the waitlist or seriously try to transfer and take another chance, the journey to higher education is full of twists and turns, but with perseverance and a positive mindset, you can navigate through any challenges that come your way.

Want more help with your letter of continued interest, waitlist strategy, or chances of transferring next year to the Ivy League?  I’m a former Harvard admissions interviewer + Harvard graduate.  Contact me today for a free consultation and get into the school of your dreams!  www.IvyCollegeEssay.com

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15 12, 2023

What to Do if You Are Waitlisted – Ivy League College Admissions

By |2023-12-15T12:34:29-05:00December 15th, 2023|College Admissions, Early Action, Early Decision, Harvard, Ivy Leage Admissions, Ivy League Advice, Ivy League College, Waitlisted|4 Comments

What to Do if You Are Waitlisted – Ivy League College Admissions

Letter of Continued Interest: The College Waitlist

What to do if you are waitlisted?  College waitlists can be a frustrating experience for students. After putting in countless hours of hard work on their college applications, being put on a waitlist can feel like rejection. However, being waitlisted is not necessarily the end of the road. In fact, there are steps  students (i.e. YOU)  can take right now to increase your chances of getting off the waitlist and accepted — one of which is to write a letter of continued interest.

A letter of continued interest is exactly what it sounds like – a letter that expresses continued interest in attending a particular college or university.

It is a way for students to update the admissions committee on any new (read: impressive) developments since they submitted their application the first time, as well as reiterate their desire and commitment to attend the school if allowed to attend.

Here are some tips on how to write a good or effective letter of continued interest, and yes, it is something you should absolutely do. ++ I help with these letters for a flat rate of $150, if you want to contact me directly via the contact info at the top of my website: www.IvyCollegeEssay.com

 

Now, here is how to write your letter of continued interest:

1. Keep it concise and to the point

Admissions committees are busy and have a lot of applications to review, so it’s important to keep your letter brief and to the point. Start with a short introduction and then get straight to the updates you want to share. Make sure you express your continued interest in attending the school, but avoid repeating information that was already included in your original application. Your letter should not be more than 1 page, and ideally, not more than 1-2 paragraphs tops.

2. Highlight any new accomplishments or achievements

This is important!  Since submitting your application, have you won any awards, received any special recognition, or taken on any new leadership roles? Use your letter of continued interest to highlight these accomplishments and explain how they demonstrate your continued commitment to your education and personal growth.

3. Be specific about why you want to attend the school

Use your letter of continued interest as an opportunity to reaffirm why you want to attend the school in question. Be specific about what draws you to the school and what you hope to gain from your education there. Do some research on the school’s programs, faculty, and resources, and use this information to tailor your letter to the specific school.

4. Show enthusiasm and passion

Admissions committees want to see that you are truly excited about the prospect of attending their school. Use your letter to demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for your field of study and your desire to learn and grow as a student. Be genuine in your tone and avoid sounding too rehearsed or formulaic.

5. Follow up appropriately. Appropriately being the key word!

After you’ve sent your letter of continued interest, it’s important to follow up ONLY if you have additional, significant updates since your last letter. Be mindful of the admissions committee’s time however as more than 2 letters post-waitlist, unless you’ve published a book, or won the Noble Prize is really being too aggressive. The adcom is BUSY.  We all know you want to go to your targeted school more than anything, but don’t be too desperate — as in dating, it will get you rejected.

In conclusion, being waitlisted can be a disappointing experience, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the road.

By writing a well-crafted letter of continued interest, you can increase your chances of getting accepted off the waitlist and ultimately achieving your goal of attending your desired school. Keep these tips in mind when crafting your letter, and remember to be genuine, passionate, and specific in your communication. Good luck!

[Want more help with your letter or your college application essays in general?  Contact me for a free consultation today at www.IvyCollegeEssay.com and get into the school of your dreams!]

Check out these other blog articles as well:

  1. How to Get Off Harvard’s Waitlist
  2. Want to Transfer to an Ivy League College — There’s Still Hope!
  3. The Best Ivy League College Admissions Blog
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6 05, 2023

How to Write A Letter of Continued Interest

By |2024-03-28T22:41:44-04:00May 6th, 2023|College Admissions, Deferred, Ivy League Advice, Letter of Continued Interest, LOCI, Waitlisted|0 Comments

How to Write A Letter of Continued Interest

A letter of continued interest is exactly what it sounds like – a letter that expresses continued interest in attending a particular college or university.

Being put on the waitlist of your college of choice, is a frustrating experience.  You’ve gotten SO CLOSE.  However, being waitlisted is not the end of the road. In fact, each year I get students off the waitlist, and there are specific steps that students can take to increase their chances of still getting accepted — the main one being to write a letter of continued interest.

Think of it as a way for you to update the admissions committee on any new developments since you submitted their application, as well as reiterate your desire to attend the school. You want to be IMPRESSIVE and to the POINT.

Here are some tips on how to write a good, effective letter of continued interest and hopefully still be in the game when it comes to getting in!

1. Keep it concise and to the point

Admissions committees are busy and have a lot of applications to review, so it’s important to keep your letter brief and to the point. Start with a short introduction and then get straight to the updates you want to share. Make sure you express your continued interest in attending the school, but avoid repeating information that was already included in your original application. Your letter should not be more than 1 page, and ideally, not more than 1-2 paragraphs tops.  DO NOT GO ON TO A SECOND PAGE!

2. Highlight any new accomplishments or achievements

Since submitting your application, have you won any awards, received any special recognition, taken on any new leadership roles?  Published a book?  Filed a patent? Use your letter of continued interest to highlight these accomplishments and explain how they demonstrate your continued commitment to your education and personal growth.

3. Be specific about WHY you want to attend the school

Use your letter of continued interest as an opportunity to reaffirm why you want to attend the school in question. Be specific about what draws you to THAT school and what you hope to gain from your education once there. Tailor your letter to the specific school and department but do not repeat what you wrote in the application!

4. Show enthusiasm and passion

Admissions committees want to see that you are truly excited about the prospect of attending their school. Use your letter to demonstrate your enthusiasm and passion for your field of study and your desire to learn and grow as a student. Be genuine in your tone and avoid sounding too rehearsed or formulaic (a.k.a. “fake”).

5. Follow up appropriately. Appropriately being the key word!

After you’ve sent your letter of continued interest, it’s important to follow up ONLY if you have additional, significant updates since your last letter. Be mindful of the admissions committee’s time however as more than 2 letters post-waitlist, unless you’ve seriously published a book, or won the Noble Prize otherwise, it is really being too aggressive.

The adcom is BUSY.  They all know you want to go to your targeted school more than anything, but don’t be too desperate — as in dating, appear desperate and it will get you REJECTED. Instead, just be calm and cool…truly believe that the school would be lucky to have you.  That is the attitude you need to take.  Even with Princeton or Harvard.

So, in conclusion, I know that being waitlisted can be a disappointing experience, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world and there is still hope.

By writing a well-crafted letter of continued interest, you can increase your chances of achieving your goal of attending your desired school. Keep these tips in mind when crafting your letter, reach out to me if you want more one-on-one help (I charge $250 a letter, which includes me looking over your proposed updates in light of your application) and remember to be genuine, passionate, and specific in your communication with the school. Good luck, and you want to send them that letter within a week!

I’m a former Harvard admissions interviewer + a Harvard grad.  Contact me today for help with your Letter of Continued Interest, or any other of your college admissions needs: www.IvyCollegeEssay.com

And, check out my other blog articles, as well!

  1. How to Get Off Harvard’s Waitlist
  2. Want to Transfer to an Ivy League College — There’s Still Hope!
  3. The Best Ivy League College Admissions Blog

 

 

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10 09, 2022

What Does It Mean If You Get Waitlisted?

By |2022-10-01T14:40:52-04:00September 10th, 2022|college, College Admissions, Ivy League, Ivy League Advice, Ivy League College, Waitlisted|3 Comments

 What Does it Mean If You Get Waitlisted?

More importantly, is there anything that you can do?

Decision day comes and when you see that email from your dream school, you discover that you have been waitlisted. Ugh. Horrible. Blech. Depressing. Just not what you were hoping for at all.  But, while this may leave you with a sinking feeling in your stomach, don’t despair.  Really.

Keep in mind that the Ivy League and  “Top 20” universities in general are all EXTREMELY  competitive. Getting on the waitlist is an accomplishment in itself.

That doesn’t make you feel better does it?  It should, because it means that there is still hope.

I’ve seen many students who’ve been put on the waitlist for the upper-level Ivy League and Ivy League competitive schools. In other words, I’ve had students get OFF the waitlist, get OUT of limbo, and actually gain acceptance sometimes at the very last minute and to the elite of the Ivy League schools.  In other words, Princeton, Harvard, and Yale.  So, as they say, it really “ain’t over ’til it’s over” and you always need to keep the faith.

Here are some interesting facts to keep in mind:  around 10% of students are waitlisted each year and end up getting in and last year that percentage was high. Students are applying to more and more of the Ivy League colleges, so every year predicting the percentage of admitted students that actually matriculate is a moving target, especially when students gain admission to multiple universities.

IMPORTANT POINT:  You can be notified of admittance as early as April or as late as August depending on the school.

That said, you need to move forward though as if it’s not an option, but always keep that small light of hope in the back of your mind burning. Because really — you just don’t know how it will all turn out.  Some students even turn down Harvard for Princeton, Princeton for MIT, or Brown for Dartmouth, so you really just don’t know how many spaces might suddenly become open and when your name can suddenly come up.

In other words, don’t assume things are out of your hands. Transferring to an Ivy League college can also be an option, as colleges accept transfers after only one semester. So go ahead and enroll in your next best choice as the better the school, the stronger your chances of successfully transferring to the Ivy League (or Ivy League competitive school) the following year.

Write a Statement of Continuing Interest

Meanwhile, take the time to write the waitlisted school an email, adding on any new awards or honors you’ve won since your application, and state your interest that, if allowed off the waitlist, the school is your very first choice.

Waitlisted and want help developing a strategic plan of action now, moving forward?  See what my clients have to say about how I helped them not only get into a top Ivy League college like Harvard, Princeton, or Yale, but how I’ve helped them transfer into these schools as well   https://ivycollegeessay.com/testimonials/.

Also, read my post on “How to Transfer to the Ivy League” here: https://ivycollegeessay.com/2020/01/21/transferring-ivy-league-college-harvard/

Want more help?  Reach out now for a free consultation at: www.IvyCollegeEssay.com and let me help you achieve your dream of getting into the Ivy League!

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