Description: Watch An Informational Video on How to Get Off The College Waitlist. College Admissions Advice from Ivy Coach.
Transcription: Lauren: Hi, Jenny. So, how did you do with colleges? Do you know where you are going to go? Where did you get in?
Jenny: Lauren, we are at a movie premiere. This is supposed to be our break from having to talk about college admissions all the time.
Lauren: You’re right. I’m sorry. So did you see Brandon wearing a Princeton sweatshirt in school today? I guess we know where he’s going if the orange sneakers and orange and blue shorts didn’t give it away. And Molly’s mom already had a Stanford decal on the back of her Range Rover. She must have preordered it.
Jenny: Lauren, I thought we agreed, no talking about colleges. I’m stressed out enough as it is. I got into Northwestern and got waitlisted at Dartmouth.
Lauren: That’s amazing. Northwestern is such a good school. You must be thrilled.
Jenny: Well, I would be, but I really wanted to go to Dartmouth and there is nothing I can do at this point to get off the waitlist. It is out of my hands.
Lauren: That’s not true, Jenny. I read Ivy Coach’s blog, and it turns out that most students on the waitlist do just what you are doing. They do absolutely nothing. They wait and wait.
What you need to do instead is immediately send in the waitlist card saying you want to go. Then contact the admissions office to see if they intend to go to their waitlist this year. Find out if they did in years past and how many students they took of the list each year. Then write one heck of a powerful letter of enthusiasm to the school. This letter should share what you can add to the university and how this university is the right fit for you. As JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The same is true for colleges.
You or your guidance counselors should also inform the regional admissions counselor of any new awards or achievements you have earned since your application. There is so much you need to do if you really want to get into Dartmouth.
Jenny: I had no idea. Thank you so much for your help, Lauren. Would you mind if I skip the movie premiere to get started on getting off the waitlist?
Lauren: You bet. Good luck, Jenny.
