So You Got Waitlisted... What Now?

Some choose to sit back, wait, and hope they are eventually admitted. However, receiving that acceptance letter can take months, and some students do not find out they have been admitted until mid August -- just a few weeks before the semester starts. Being accepted so late can be problematic for your housing and financial situations.

My advice -- the same I will be taking here shortly with Penn State -- is to write a letter to the admissions office explicitly stating why you wish to attend that school. The admissions committee searches for individuals who express a genuine interest in attending their institution, and if you are able to convey why you wish to attend their school, they will be more apt to pick your application from others on the waitlist.

Below is a list of some topics you could address in the letter.

1. Write about why you wish to attend the school
2. Explain previous experiences you've had which will lend to a diverse academic community
3. Do research and write about the programs or areas of concentration you are interested in at the school
4. Research the school's extra curricular activities (published journals, moot court, pro bono work, etc) and express why you would like to get involved in these activities
5. Explain any circumstances not addressed in the application process which may lend to extra consideration with your candidacy
6. Talk about anything you feel the admissions council ought to know
   

Write the letter, and make yourself stand out. It's all about going the extra mile.

Good luck!