Waitlist odds

[PhysicalTherapyDP]

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Question for anyone who has input. So I have an acceptance from an east coast program (which I am so thankful for and am attending as of now). But I’m also on the waitlist (within top 4%) for a west coast school where I currently live. The east coast school starts two months before the west coast school so as you can see I’m in a bit of a time crunch. I’ll have to move very soon. I don’t want to risk my acceptance to this east coast program by waiting on a waitlist spot that I may never move up from.

Has anyone heard of people calling the admissions office laying down a similar situation and asking the odds of being accepted? I would prefer not to have to move across country and I’d like to pay in state tuition so I don’t have to take out as many loans. Would it come off as too desperate were I to call and tell them my scenario? In hopes of them saying “oh yes historically we accept those off the waitlist who are in your spot” or even “oh no we don’t accept this late in the game”.

Any advice would be great! Thanks.

 

[deleted621075]

I think calling is fine to do and they should understand. They may have a policy where they cant answer, but hopefully they give you info you are looking for and that could relieve some nervousness and help you move forward with a plan. Also from my experience at my school, the people in admissions are very helpful so hopefully that is a trend across the country, and they help you in the same way.

 

[PhysicalTherapyDP]

I think calling is fine to do and they should understand. They may have a policy where they cant answer, but hopefully they give you info you are looking for and that could relieve some nervousness and help you move forward with a plan. Also from my experience at my school, the people in admissions are very helpful so hopefully that is a trend across the country, and they help you in the same way.

okay, thank you for your response!

 

[ya1]

It will just depend on whether or not someone drops out of the program. And then if you are the 1st in line of the wait list. Whatever the school tells you about odds, it's a gamble. You are right that it is definitely safer to go to the program that has accepted you. If you do get a spot from the western school, you will then think where you are at at that point and if it is worth to proceed with moving to the east, move back to the west, dropping out of the eastern school, etc. Until you get an acceptance letter from the west, use the real option you have now and focus on the school that has accepted you. good luck!

 

[BYoo]

Top 4% is a very good spot to be in. I was in the top 66% on the waitlist, but still got accepted.
However, just like what @ya1 said, someone must drop their seat in the program for a waitlist candidate to move in.

Which is why timing is very important here. If you recently got waitlisted, then there's a good chance that accepted candidates are still waiting to hear back from their top choices and may drop their seat soon. If you got waitlisted several months ago, then most likely the accepted candidates are planning on attending that program, and your only chance is if there is a last-minute emergency resulting in them dropping their seat.

Strategic way to call:
Figure out who's in charge through the waitlist email you received. Maybe the sender is the professor in the admissions committee. When you call, make sure you ask for someone in charge because often times students answer the phone, and they cannot give you that information or simply don't know. Then, you can ask for your numeric spot instead of a percentage. They may take your case into consideration and tell you where you stand. It's not like they are being unfair and moving you up the list. Assess how many people are in front of you and make your decision from there. Good luck to you!

 

[PhysicalTherapyDP]

Thank you so much for the input. I spoke with admissions and they haven’t had any movement unfortunately. But since I first started this thread, I actually got accepted off the waitlist of another program that I’ll be attending. Such a roller coaster process haha but I’m happy with my decision and starting class very soon!