Waitlist vs. Alternate List?

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heretic

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I'm a noob, can someone tell me the difference between the waitlist and the alternate list?

Thanks!!!!!
 
I always thought being waitlisted and placed on the alternate list is the same thing. Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I got letters stating that I was on hold until January and I have recieved letters that I was on a waitlist in the past.

IS it better to be on hold, or waitlisted?

This sounds stupid.
 
Personally if all your material is in and you have interviewed I think

waitlist = alternate list = hold

However hold is often used if you haven't interviewed yet and not all your material is in.
 
DrTacoElf said:
Personally if all your material is in and you have interviewed I think

waitlist = alternate list = hold

However hold is often used if you haven't interviewed yet and not all your material is in.
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thanks for the input.
 
here is what i think:

interviewed but 'still under review' = 'on hold' = you were not in our first round of acceptances but we are still considering you for the second, third etc rounds depending on how many of our first choices send in their deposits. The class isn't full yet. chances of you getting in could still be moderate to good.

waitlist = alternate = we have gotten all our deposits, our class is officially full. but if enough people drop out later you might get a spot. chances of you getting in are moderate to slim (probably closer to slim).
 
biogirl is absolutely right. except, there are schools where being on the waitlist means you have a really good chance of being accepted. especially the expensive private schools or being out-of-state for state schools. the schools with the small wailist means you have a good chance. the schools with huge wailist such as creighton, you have a slim shot.
 
Biogirl361 said:
here is what i think:

interviewed but 'still under review' = 'on hold' = you were not in our first round of acceptances but we are still considering you for the second, third etc rounds depending on how many of our first choices send in their deposits. The class isn't full yet. chances of you getting in could still be moderate to good.

waitlist = alternate = we have gotten all our deposits, our class is officially full. but if enough people drop out later you might get a spot. chances of you getting in are moderate to slim (probably closer to slim).
Click to expand...

I agree with the last person who posted who said if you are on a waitlist as an out of stater or to a private school you have a good chance to get in. I would assume its better to have at least had an interview and be waitlisted as you have a better chance than someone who hasnt even been interviewed (ie is on hold). If you are on hold there is no guarantee that you will be interviewed whereas if you are on a waitlist chances are your file will be re-reviewed more than once. So, I would say if you were on an instate waitlist, your chances arent that great, but on a waitlist at a private or as an out of stater you have an excellent shot. If you are on hold you may never even have the chance to go interview (all it means is you made a cut and instead of going up against 2000 people you are up against 900 or more).
 
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