i am probably being very blind sided by saying this (simply because of my plight) but it really aggravates me that after all the money, time, effort, hope, etc spent in the process schools have the audacity to keep you in the dark for an indefinite period of time, does any one else feel that way?
Wouldn't it be easier for schools and applicants, if the waitlists were made public to waitlisters? I dont mean you get to see the individual names of people on the waitlist (that for obvious reasons is not smart).
I mean.. like.. for a ranked waitlist:
They should tell you the total # of rankings (thus the # of ppl waitlisted) and they should tell you what YOUR rank is. When the waitlist is updated, they should say "ranks so and so have been removed, ranks have been changed to, etc." This process can easily be computerized and made available online--this would in my opinoin greatly reduce the volume of calls made to offices, the amount of email clamoring about waitlist movement, and the general anxiety students feel in being kept in the dark.
For an unranked waitlist, you can still say how many people are on it, how many offers were sent out, etc.
I realize schools do much of it in order to ensure their class is properly filled and not ridiculously over rolled or under rolled. However, it is far more costly to the individual for being kept in the dark, than it is to the school for disclosing information.... I dont know... and it would be considerate on the schools part...i just feel that would ease many applicants. Perhaps if enough people raise an objection, in and out ot the system, it may change. /end rant