Johns Hopkins letter of interest

[TheAsianBullet]

Should i send one? or do they have a policy of "dont send us anything, we already have everything we need from you". obviously they are a top school and dont really NEED letters of interest, but will sending one actually hurt me if they told us not to send them anything? thanks for any advice!

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[kouhiiko]

I figure it can't hurt. They usually accept a bunch of people off the waitlist every year (of course, each year is different), and so, even though a lot of people are interested in attending Hopkins, it seems that a surprising number of accepted applicants every year choose to go elsewhere when given a choice (probably due to the location and pricetag). If you can make an argument for why Hopkins is the best match for you (and you for Hopkins) perhaps it will increase your appeal in the eyes of the adcom.

I am afraid to call and have them say, "no, don't send us anything more." So, I am going to hope for the best (since they have not explicitly asked NOT to be sent anything, at least, not from what I can recall) and send a letter of update/interest in a couple of months, and if they don't want it, well, they can chuck it. But, maybe they'll take the time to read it....

But, if sending potentially unwanted info is something you would rather not do...then I would advise calling them (and posting what they say...if you don't mind 😀 ).

Best of luck!

 

[TheAsianBullet]

thanks for the info! yeah my letter right now would only be expressing my interest rather than an update, since i want to save the update part later in the game (after they've come to some sort of decision about me). the thing is, they told my group they were making a december decision, so im wondering if i should just send a letter saying "i think hopkins was super duper great for me!" or wait until after i hear something to say "hopkins is great and this is why im still so awesome!".

im afraid to call, since the admissions people there seem kinda mean. anyone else wanna call? 😀

 

[Stolenspatulas]

did you both get an "alternate list" letter?

im not sure if there is a waitlist letter.

yea i figure one shot for an update letter, do it in march or somezings

 

[sloth]

The alternate list is the waitlist.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

The alternate list is the waitlist.

no its not

they have an alternate list which they take applicants from.

they have a waitlist that is a nice way of saying you're rejected.

im just wondering if they assess alternate list vs waitlist in the initial letter post-interview.

 

[kouhiiko]

Stolenspatulas,

I have also heard what Sloth has said: alternate=waitlist at hopkins.

What makes you feel so certain that the alternate list is something separate from the waitlist? (i.e. have you talked to someone in the admissions office, or is it just a strong feeling you have?)

Thanks.

 

[Stolenspatulas]

Stolenspatulas,

I have also heard what Sloth has said: alternate=waitlist at hopkins.

What makes you feel so certain that the alternate list is something separate from the waitlist? (i.e. have you talked to someone in the admissions office, or is it just a strong feeling you have?)

Thanks.

i remember specifically on the day of my interview:

valerie mazza:
"we have an alternate list and a waitlist.... we take people from the alternate list every year, last year we took 40, and we expect to take around that many this year.... we do not take people from the waitlist"

thus there are three outcomes for the interviewer:
acceptance, alternate list, and waitlist(aka rejection)

did your letter say waitlist or alternate list... i have a feeling that eveyrone who doesnt get in right away gets placed on the alternate list NOW... and then the shifting and ranking of people happens in the spring of next year and at that point people are placed on the alternate list or waitlist.

 

[Polodog21]

stolen is right....there is a diff btwn waitlist and alternate...i interviewed in late sept. and received my alternate list letter about a week and a half ago...

 

[sloth]

What is the difference between them (alternate vs. waitlist) then? If waitlist = rejection (as stolen said), then alternate = waitlist.

 

[kouhiiko]

I agree with sloth's reasoning...so if waitlist were to equal rejection...then why bother with the waitlist at all? I do not remember anyone saying anything about a wait vs. alternate list at the interview. What I do remember from the interview is that those people who are not likely to be accepted off a waitlist (too low on the potential list) are rejected straight-out (I think that the words they used were "released from consideration..."). So, then the alternate list becomes the waitlist....at least in practice, if not by the same name...

But, really, I can't say I know. There is no making sense of this murky process....(unless we called the admissions office...but then we would really know...and that would take all the agony out of waiting...and what fun would that be?!?!)

Either way, I am waiting...umm...alternating with fingers crossed...😛