ATTENTION ALL WAITLISTERS

[MissMedicine]

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I would like your advice please

Is saying "School X is the right choice/match for me" binding? I mean I am pretty sure I would go there but I feel uncomfortable saying something binding. I mean, more than one choice could be "the right choice," right?

thanks for the input

 

[ckent]

As far as I know, nothing is "binding" until classes start. I know of one student who promised multiple schools that he was waitlisted on that he would attend if accepted; fortunately for him he only got into one of them. I don't think that there's anything wrong with telling multiple schools that you would go to them from a legal standpoint, you do increase your chances of getting an acceptance from at least one of them and you can always say that you changed your mind later (financial aid wasn't enough, mother talked you out of going there, etc). From a moral standpoint, I might see some conflict in promising multiple schools that you would go to them because it is dishonest, but that's for you to judge and decide for yourself. Even if you do decide to take the "high ground", realize that many of your peers are not going to and that you are probably putting yourself at a disadvantage admissions-wise by doing so.

 

[MissMedicine]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by ckent:
•As far as I know, nothing is "binding" until classes start. I know of one student who promised multiple schools that he was waitlisted on that he would attend if accepted; fortunately for him he only got into one of them. I don't think that there's anything wrong with telling multiple schools that you would go to them from a legal standpoint, you do increase your chances of getting an acceptance from at least one of them and you can always say that you changed your mind later (financial aid wasn't enough, mother talked you out of going there, etc). From a moral standpoint, I might see some conflict in promising multiple schools that you would go to them because it is dishonest, but that's for you to judge and decide for yourself. Even if you do decide to take the "high ground", realize that many of your peers are not going to and that you are probably putting yourself at a disadvantage admissions-wise by doing so.•••••Thanks for the honest advice ckent. I honestly feel like there are several schools that are the right choice for me, all things considered, and regardless of what others are doing, I would feel terrible misleading them.

I feel a little stuck because there are several schools that are "tied" for my top choice and I cant really tell any of them that I would definitely go. Of course I would definitely go if ONE of them accepted me, but there is not a guarantee that more than one would accept me, so I cant guarantee them that I would go. Know what I mean? What should I do? Is the right choice good enough? Or should I write A right choice? I dont want my letter to be weak but I also dont want to do anything unethical, so I am struggling with wording here.

 

[ckent]

Now that I've thought about it, I would go ahead and write "I know that school X is the right one for me and I would like to attend" for all of your waitlist schools (particularly if you haven't been accepted anywhere), this is a true statement. I would also call more then one school that I was waitlisted on "my number one choice", I didn't do this when I was waitlisted because I was already admitted to where I wanted to go, but in retrospect, it really does give those people that do this a real advantage in getting in (even if it's not completely "moral"). If you have multiple schools that are tied for your number one choice, if you tell them all that they are your number one choice, your not technically lying either because they are all your number one choice ( 🙄 should have been a lawyer). I didn't do this, but my friend did, and we were both waitlisted at the same school and he ended up getting in and I did not even though on paper, my application may have been slightly better then his. When he called the school that we were both waitlisted at, the school told him that they had him marked down as "his number one choice" too (even though he had told multiple schools that they were his "number one choice"), so I definitely think it helps.

 

[MissMedicine]

Ok, I will definitely write school x is THE right one/match/choice for me but I dont think I will write "is the number one choice for me" even though it technically may be. What if I get into both school x and y (should i be so lucky, right) and give up, after much debate, school y for x and school x tells me... "I thought we were your number one choice?? what happened? changed your mind?" and be black-listed forever. You think not writing specifically that it is my NUMBER ONE choice will weaken my letter versus righting "it is THE right match for me"

Thanks for your help by the way so early in the morning.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by ckent:
•Now that I've thought about it, I would go ahead and write "I know that school X is the right one for me and I would like to attend" for all of your waitlist schools (particularly if you haven't been accepted anywhere), this is a true statement. I would also call more then one school that I was waitlisted on "my number one choice", I didn't do this when I was waitlisted because I was already admitted to where I wanted to go, but in retrospect, it really does give those people that do this a real advantage in getting in (even if it's not completely "moral"). If you have multiple schools that are tied for your number one choice, if you tell them all that they are your number one choice, your not technically lying either because they are all your number one choice ( 🙄 should have been a lawyer). I didn't do this, but my friend did, and we were both waitlisted at the same school and he ended up getting in and I did not even though on paper, my application may have been slightly better then his. When he called the school that we were both waitlisted at, the school told him that they had him marked down as "his number one choice" too (even though he had told multiple schools that they were his "number one choice"), so I definitely think it helps.•••••

 

[ckent]

At some schools, I know that they are looking for something specific to indicate that they are your number one choice or the school that you would definitely attend. Schools don't like to accept students that don't matriculate, it worsens their numbers for ranking purposes. Again, a lot of students will be telling multiple schools that they are they do "plan on attending if accepted". I was like you though, and didn't want to be dishonest about it, but it does weaken your letter of intent at some schools IMO.

 

[MissMedicine]

Oh gosh, it is so complicated. I mean it would suck if I dont get into two of my top choices because I am afraid to tell either that they are my number one choice, or be very definite about it. (Oh and I did have acceptances by the way, and I am currently holding only one)

Adcoms probably have so much experience in this that they can tell when someone is trying to dodge commitment huh?

I sort of like "plan on attending if accepted" as opposed to "will definitely attend if accepted". I think in this case, I am safe. I will say it is the right match for me and I plan on attending if accepted. Is that strong enough?

Any other opinions??

 

[MissMedicine]

I am trying to send this out ASAP so any other advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Cydney Foote]

Your letter does not represent a binding legal commitment. However, if you want to avoid any potential bad feelings, you could avoid saying any school is your #1 choice by saing that School X is the "perfect program for me", "the best fit for my education and interests", "my preferred program", "the best choice for my education", etc. The important thing is not necessarily this phrase, but the reasons that you think School X is a good fit for you (the faculty, facilities, research opportunities, etc.). Maybe in identifying these reasons, it'll actually help you decide which is truly your #1 choice if you are (fingers crossed) offered admission to more than one. Good luck!

 

[MissMedicine]

Hi Cydney

Thanks for the advice and suggestions. How about "plan on attending if accepted"?

What do you think about ckents comment that they are specifically screening for "number one choice, will attend if accepted" in order to improve their acceptance numbers?

 

[MissMedicine]

Any other thoughts???

 

[T.C.]

Tell any school not your #1 that you will definitely accept a spot at their institution upon being removed from their waitlist. This is the truth since you will accept any place at which you are presently on the waitlist (even though it may not be your #1). Upon hearing from a school that you have ranked "higher priority", just drop off the waitlist at other "lower" schools. This way you are honest with everyone- you don't necessarily commit to attending, but you do commit to accepting. If they want to equate accepting with attending, then that's their decision. For your #1, tell them you have a kidney that you really don't use that much...

T.C.