Being wait-listed at your dream college can be heart-breaking. Sadie, a Santa Monica High School student, had her heart set on attending the University of Wisconsin and she believed no other school would do! Many students are in this position, with a dream school that is within reach but with no backup plan.

Over the course of the year I worked with her, I assisted Sadie in countless ways, focusing on two very important things. First, I helped her complete a realistic college list, and showed her how other colleges could also help her accomplish her life goals just as much as Wisconsin. Second, we didn’t give up on Wisconsin at all: I helped her put together the best possible application for Wisconsin.
Sadie applied to the colleges on her list and she was accepted to 7! Unfortunately, Sadie was wait-listed at Wisconsin. When I learned she was wait-listed, I contacted a UW admissions representative, and we discovered a glitch in Sadie’s application. Sadie and I worked together to fix the glitch, and draft a letter to the UW representative confirming that Wisconsin was still Sadie’s top choice, and she was pulled off the wait list just days after the deposit deadline. Her mother sent her thanks for my work with helping her daughter realize her dream.
“Evelyn provided our daughter and our family the care and time needed to fully understand the application process and the options available and was realistic in terms of safety and reach schools. Our daughter had many options of schools to choose from and when she was wait listed at her top choice, Evelyn continued to support her and was our first call upon acceptance. We could not have done it without her integrity, honesty and passion towards helping [colleges]find the right students!”
— Lynda
Most colleges don’t rank their wait list. Students are put on the wait list when they qualify but the admissions quotas are filled. Is there a trick to getting off the college wait list? Sometimes it’s about understanding the process, and what students colleges are looking for.Sometimes it’s about putting in that extra effort, like making contact with the Admissions Rep. In Sadie’s case it was all three.
Sadie’s parents were so pleased with what we did for Sadie that we are now working with Sadie’s younger brother, a senior at Santa Monica High School.
At Magellan College Counseling, we prepare our students for every part of the college application process. Are you or your child having a tough time applying to college? Contact us and let’s see how we can help.