likelihood of waitlists?

[johndoe3344]

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So I'm waitlisted at 4 or 5 top 20 schools... how likely is it that I'll get in to one of them?

If I had no other acceptances, should I pretty much expect to reapply next year? Or Is there some hope?

EDIT: ALso, is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting in off a waitlist? For example, if I suddenly start volunteering at X and Y, and start saving hungry children, can I include that in an update letter? And would adcoms think that I started those activities just to get in off the waitlist? If so, would it still help?

 

[Morsetlis]

Varies depending on schools.

Typically your chance at any one school post-interview is 33% and post-waitlist is 20%. However that's an average.

Again, letters of updates can only help. However, many schools don't give a **** about them. Some won't read them. Some will!

 

[johndoe3344]

...

So so... given 4 schools that I interviewed at, and assuming I don't get rejected (only accept or waitlist) then...

Probability of a waitlist followed by the probablity of not getting into the school from the waitlist for one school is 0.66*0.8 = 0.528

So the probability of me getting into at least one school is 1 - 0.528^4 = 92.2%!!!!

Edit: So, can I sleep happy tonight?

 

[Morsetlis]

Not really. Your application isn't considered a random sample and you could be a non-average applicant. It's a specific sample. If you're just borderline, the statistics work. If you are TERRIBLE at interviewing, the statistics won't.

That said, having that many waitlists means you're doing SOMETHING right.

 

[FluffyRabbit]

Varies depending on schools.

Typically your chance at any one school post-interview is 33% and post-waitlist is 20%. However that's an average.

Again, letters of updates can only help. However, many schools don't give a **** about them. Some won't read them. Some will!

It's that high? I have/will have quite a number of waitlists myself... 🙂

 

[J ROD]

Usually it is that high with multiple waits...but at top 20, I think with 4 or 5 waits you may have a chance.....

I would not expect it though......