Waitlist Confusion: Should I Submit Updates/Letter of Intent if School Says It Won't Impact My Position?

[DoneDone3451]

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I was recently placed on a waitlist for a school, the school indicated that they will rank the waitlist in mid march.

In my waitlist email, they mentioned the following "Updates or letters of intent are accepted but will not impact an alternate's position on the waitlist."

I am confused because if the school openly indicates that they will accept updates and or letters of intent, what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?

 

[Goro]

Schools want to admit people who can follow very simple instructions.

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

I was recently placed on a waitlist for a school, the school indicated that they will rank the waitlist in mid march.

In my waitlist email, they mentioned the following "Updates or letters of intent are accepted but will not impact an alternate's position on the waitlist."

I am confused because if the school openly indicates that they will accept updates and or letters of intent, what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?

I would trust your instinct; don't bother submitting. Good on you for soliciting a second opinion

 

[DoneDone3451]

I would trust your instinct; don't bother submitting. Good on you for soliciting a second opinion

Yeah I figured it would be weird to submit one if it had no impact. But I always hear so many different things, I figured I would ask.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It's school specific. It's also pretty clear what they meant.

 

[crknwk2000]

It's actually not pretty clear. They said: "Updates or letters of intent are accepted but will not impact an alternate's position on the waitlist."
So like @DoneDone3451 asked, I would also be wondering: what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?


Totally get where you're coming fro with this question, @DoneDone3451.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

It's actually not pretty clear. They said: "Updates or letters of intent are accepted but will not impact an alternate's position on the waitlist."
So like @DoneDone3451 asked, I would also be wondering: what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?


Totally get where you're coming fro with this question, @DoneDone3451.

I don't get what you don't understand about "letters will be accepted." I agree with the sentiment of they don't make a difference, why do it. But the communication is clear. Just because the causation isn't what you want doesn't make the message confusing. It's not CARS.

 

[crknwk2000]

I don't get what you don't understand confusion about "letters will be accepted." I agree with the sentiment of they don't make a difference, why do it. But the communication is clear.

The question asked was: what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?

I'm sure, since you're a 10+ year member here, that you more than understand how stressful this process is for those applying. If you can share a helpful answer that's great, if not, you don't need to make someone feel weird for asking what seems to be a very valid question in this bonker pants application process.

 

[DoneDone3451]

It's school specific. It's also pretty clear what they meant.

Yeah, I mean I just wanted to ask to be sure and not second guess myself.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The question asked was: what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?

I'm sure, since you're a 10+ year member here, that you more than understand how stressful this process is for those applying. If you can share a helpful answer that's great, if not, you don't need to make someone feel weird for asking what seems to be a very valid question in this bonker pants application process.

As someone who has been a 10+ year member here, I can channel my time as an admissions officer (also for 10+ years) and give the response I gave (as I have also given to others when they (and their parents) have asked me in person as an advisor for additional years). As have other experts in this thread who are faculty and have fielded similar redundant questions. Don't think that we don't appreciate your stress, but neuroticism is not a desirable trait. Sometimes what you read was reviewed and approved by admissions committee leadership to the point where it gets to be more annoying than your expressed frustration. Your response represents reasons why some admissions committees prefer ghosting; give this committee some credit at least to tell you it wouldn't affect your waitlist position over giving your anxiety over vague inferences whether it would or not.

I remember as a professor that I would award "extra credit" but only before the final exam. Set a O/U on the number of inquiries I had about whether it would still be worth submitting their extra credit assignments after the final. You are entering a culture where you must respect hierarchies who are not entitled to give you reasons why. Trust the process. Read...

From Waitlist to Offer: Inside an Admissions Committee | SDN

You are finally done with your interviews, so let the waiting games begin! In March, health professions programs will begin securing seats for the next

www.studentdoctor.net

 

[Pile O' Nephritis]

Yeah, I mean I just wanted to ask to be sure and not second guess myself.

"Measure twice, cut once."

 

[Goro]

It's actually not pretty clear. They said: "Updates or letters of intent are accepted but will not impact an alternate's position on the waitlist."
So like @DoneDone3451 asked, I would also be wondering: what would be the point of submitting them if they had no impact? Is it still worth submitting one?


Totally get where you're coming fro with this question, @DoneDone3451.

Because people will send them anyway