Are you on a wait-list?
In an October, 2010 report, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors (NACAC) found that colleges have increasingly placed students on wait-lists. The jump, 35% to 39% over the last five years, has been accompanied by many colleges using wait-lists that previously had not. Do not despair: wait-list status still gives you a chance. Plus, in the last three years, the percent of students accepted off wait-lists has increased as well: up to 34%, a four percent increase. However, selective schools only accept 12 percent of wait list students, on average. So how do you persuade your first-choice college to accept you off the wait-list? NACAC reports that colleges are looking for the best students, but particularly the students that fill gaps in particular majors. Among public colleges polled by NACAC, 36% used academic credentials as a factor, 19% used interest in attending, and 7% used ability to pay. Among private colleges 62% considered academic credentials, 53% considered interest in attending, and 35% considered the ability to pay. So wait-listers, here’s the bottom line: communicate via email what your future major(s) will be, any recent accomplishments since the application went in, and how much you want to attend that school. In other words, give your wait-list college what it wants.
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