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Don't
take the admissions process for granted
-- you might find yourself waiting around
to find out your college fate.
Enough
Waiting Around
By
Jason Olexa
October/November 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick -- You've
sent out the applications and waited for
what seems like an eternity. Then finally,
the envelope arrives. Accepted? Rejected?
Nope... waitlisted. In other words, you're
on admissions stand by.
There's
no question that waitlists are common around
college admissions offices, says
Ray Brown, dean of admissions at Texas Christian
University. In fact, he explains, "waitlists
are absolutely necessary." They
allow colleges to fine tune their enrollment
numbers by re-evaluating applicants based
on how many accepted students actually enroll
or so he says.
Theoretically,
waitlists are for applicants with borderline
credentials, but what about that school
you thought was a shoe-in? You may have
actually been over-qualified and therefore,
put on the list. In this respect, the college
isn't merely checking out your academics
and extra curriculars, but it's also looking
at the probability of you actually attending
if accepted.
"From
the institution's perspective, it's fair,"
says Brown, referring to a school's justification
for waitlisting you. In other words, that
is why should someone who doesn't really
want to go to a particular college take
the spot of someone who does? Waitlisting
allows admissions offices to accept more
applicants who are really interested in
enrolling at that college.
However,
not everyone agrees with the practice of
waitlisting -- like Fred Zucker. "It's a
clear violation of the ethics of our profession,"
says Zucker, dean of student services at
the University of Dallas in Texas.
So
what can you do to avoid being banished
to the notorious waitlist?
It's simple: Show the admissions advisor
you want to be a student at the school,
affirms Zucker. You can do this, he continues,
by visiting the campus, talking with alumni
and representatives, or by applying early
decision. He further urges you to avoid
Internet and Common Applications, since
these are often seen as signs of disinterest.
Zucker says you can make yourself known,
instead, by handing in your application
and meeting with an admissions officer in
person to express your interest that, if
accepted, you're likely to enroll.
And
what do you do if you're already on the
list? "Protect yourself," Zucker urges.
"The waitlist should never be treated as
an offer of admission." In other words,
"If you get admitted somewhere, go there.
Never rely on the waitlist." Zuker
also suggests writing a letter telling admissions
officers you're still interested before
they re-evaluate your application.
Zucker's
philosophy: Admissions offices are looking
out for the best interests of their schools,
so you have to look out for yours.
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