Second Semester Senior Year:
Issues and Follow Through
Academic Performance
Admissions decisions are also contingent on the successful completion of all course work, and admissions officers reserve the right to question poor second semester performance and, in some cases, to reverse an admissions decision already made.
A letter sent by the University of New Hampshire to students whose concluding high school transcript was considered unsatisfactory contains the following statements:
“We have received a report of your final grades for the academic year and consider them unacceptable. It is clear that your admission status must be reevaluated and, consequently, I have suspended your admission.
If you wish to communicate with us about your circumstances, please do so in writing within the next five days. It is our preference not to talk with you or your parents until we have received your written communication.
We will contact you again once we have received and reviewed your statement. At that time we will make a determination as to whether it is appropriate for you to meet with us.
We look forward to hearing from you shortly.”
Double Depositing
Each year some seniors have a difficult time making up their minds about which college to enroll in after they have been accepted. In order to have more time to make a decision they send deposits to more than one college on or after May 1 st. This is called “double depositing” and is unethical practice. Should the colleges involved determine that a student has “double-deposited,” admission may be jeopardized. It is an acceptable practice to deposit at one school and maintain your name on a waitlist at another. However, indicating to two schools that you will be attending by sending deposits to both should not be considered.
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The Wait List: Questions and Answers
Should I ask to remain active on the wait list?
Only if you are seriously interested in attending that college. If you are, then you should indicate that by informing them in writing or by returning the postcards many colleges provide for that purpose as soon as possible. If you definitely will attend if admitted, tell the college that.
When will I learn if I will be admitted from the wait list?
The very earliest you can expect to hear from colleges is late April, but usually not until after the first week of May. Most colleges will finalize the status of students by June 1 st. Occasionally colleges will extend to students the opportunity to remain on a waitlist throughout the summer.
Should I call the college?
No. Colleges will only ask you to indicate your position in writing. Until the first week or so of May, colleges rarely have any information that will be helpful to you as you try to calculate your chances.
What are my chances?
Until early May this is an impossible question for even the colleges to answer. Quite simply, they do not know. Colleges must wait to hear from all of the students to whom they have extended an offer of admission. Those students have until May 1 to respond. Often times those responses, mailed on April 30, do not arrive until May 3 rd or 4 th. Colleges past records regarding their wait list, the next year they may not be able to take any. It will all depend on how many admitted students decide to enroll before May 1 st.
How many applicants usually end up on a wait list?
Usually quite a few. For even a small school 300-500 is not unusual. Remember, not everybody who is offered a position on a wait list will wait to be considered. The initial number placed on a wait list usually “melts down” quite significantly.
How can I find out what my “rank” is on a wait list?
Colleges will not rank their wait list until after they have heard from both admitted candidates (May 1 st).
What can I do to improve my chances?
If your transcript since mid-year is good, sending it along to the colleges may help. If you’ve taken on responsibilities, or in any other way distinguished yourself since you applied, don’t hesitate to let the colleges know. Remember, though, even if you’ve completed turning things around this will not make a difference if the college does not go to its wait list.
Should I try to set up another interview?
Colleges rarely permit second interviews, particularly before May 1 st. If you happen to be in the area it doesn’t hurt to stop by “just to check on things”, and to say hello. A major investment of time and money to visit a college where you have been placed on a wait list is probably not worth the effort. Consult with the Guidance counselor regarding this matter. It will vary from case to case.
What should I do while I wait?
Assume you are not going to get in off the wait list. Statistics clearly indicate the chances are quite a bit less than 50/50. The most important thing for you to do at this time is to focus on the options you do have and make an informed, rational decision regarding those options.
Should I make an enrollment deposit at my second choice college?
YES! Unfortunately this fee is normally not refundable, but it is important for you to guarantee that you have a place in a college next year. Make your deposit before May 1 st.
What should I do if I have been placed on several wait lists?
There is nothing wrong with remaining on more than one wait list as long as each one of them is a school that you are more interested in than the options you currently have. Obviously you can only indicate to one of them that they are your first choice.
Who should I keep informed about my wait list status?
Your parents and your counselor should be kept advised of your status. There should be no miscommunication or lack of communication during this time.