Anyone applying to Yale GEPN for fall of 08'

Kensington · Jan 28, 2008

Ugh, so I am stuck... need some advice if anyone has the time to give it...
So I'm still in the running at Yale, Univ. of Washington, and Boston College. Got into BC. Just found out that I am first on the waitlist at UW. Problem is, I still have two outstanding prerequisites for them. If I had gotten in, I would take the courses, no question. And if I was any further down the waitlist, I'd scrap it because I do think the odds are pretty low that the person ahead of me will decline. But I'm right on the edge!
If I knew right now that I had gotten into Yale, I'd forget about UW. But if I don't get in to Yale, and for some reason I do get an offer at UW, I'd be kicking myself for not taking the classes and missing that opportunity. I'd much rather go to UW than BC! But the accepted student has until the end of March to decide, whereas I only have until Feb 10th to get my tuition back. The courses will cost me $2k and a lot of time and work -- a huge waste if I never get bumped up! I already know I'm going to owe 2 grand on my taxes this year, and I just don't know if I can spend money on tuition "just in case!"
It seems like some people heard from Yale the first week of Feb last year -- if that ended up being the case this year, I'd have enough time to drop and still get my money back, but I can't count on that either...
What would any of you do in this situation? Anyone have any experience with waitlists? Is it worth spending the money just so I have all my bases covered? Or since I know I got into BC, should I just forget about UW?

Hey, fibergirl!

If I were you, I'd sign up for the courses and start them. At least then you have an option, since we may find out from Yale before February 10th since Angela promised that she'd email us. So to give yourself the UW option, I'd start the courses, and then if worse comes to worse, and you haven't heard from Yale by the 9th, you'll have a decision to make then, but at least not right now.

That's what I'd do! :)

Good luck!

Kens

smit1989 · Jan 28, 2008

Angela promised us that she would email us by Feb 10th??

Kensington · Jan 28, 2008

Angela promised us that she would email us by Feb 10th??

Oh no no, sorry for any confusion. What I meant was that we are supposed to know by say, the second week of February (and last year's class knew by the end of the first week I heard), so that means that it's *possible* to get an email from Angela by Feb. 10th.

I just thought that fibergirl should buy herself a little more time, just in case she ends up needing it.

fibergirl · Jan 28, 2008

Hey, fibergirl!
If I were you, I'd sign up for the courses and start them. At least then you have an option, since we may find out from Yale before February 10th since Angela promised that she'd email us. So to give yourself the UW option, I'd start the courses, and then if worse comes to worse, and you haven't heard from Yale by the 9th, you'll have a decision to make then, but at least not right now.
That's what I'd do! :)
Good luck!
Kens

Ah, that's good to know (about Angela emailing) -- I missed that! I guess that seems like as good a plan as possible. Sucks, I'm not really in the 'sit in class' kind of mode -- it's been a while and I was starting to look forward to not doing much studying until I start whatever program I end up at... but c'est la vie! I'd rather be able to take any options I'm given, and you're right, this is the only way.

I guess if it comes down to the 9th I'll just call up Angela and beg her to tell me.

Thanks, Kens. Helpful to have a rational outside opinion!

kevkev1986 · Jan 29, 2008

Ugh, so I am stuck... need some advice if anyone has the time to give it...

I don't know if I could offer much of a help, but during my 1-on-1 interview, I was told to email the professor that interviewed me, should I come to a situation where I need to make a decision between going to Yale or somewhere else (before decision letters are sent out).

If I were you I would email the professor. We had a great interview/conversation and she was very nice, she even told me to "email her" and "keep in contact" with her.

Congrats on getting in to BC though! :hrnsmlys:

JenniferMPH · Jan 29, 2008

I am in a similar position, but I am also not sure if I can be of any help...

OHSU did not accept my nutrition and developmental psych classes. I thought this was pretty silly, but I had to retake them. I started online courses before I even knew for sure that I got an interview. It will be about $1600 for courses I already took (not to mention that they were graduate level at UCs, whereas the courses that qualify are online community college classes...go figure).

I would say if the school means a lot to you, and you are unsure about whether you will get the good kind of letter from Yale, take the class as insurance. Better safe than sorry.

fibergirl · Jan 29, 2008

I would say if the school means a lot to you, and you are unsure about whether you will get the good kind of letter from Yale, take the class as insurance. Better safe than sorry.

sigh, yeah. It's just so much money that I do not have. But I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one paying $$ to hedge some bets. I *do* think I have a good chance at yale, but I guess insurance is a good idea...

Kensington · Feb 1, 2008

Just reviving our thread :) I'm really anxious today!!

kevkev1986 · Feb 2, 2008

sigh, yeah. It's just so much money that I do not have. But I feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one paying $$ to hedge some bets. I *do* think I have a good chance at yale, but I guess insurance is a good idea...

fibergirl,

Have you decided anything yet?

Also, I have another OT question for everybody: I heard a lot about students getting a PDA for them to replace the drug reference book. I was wondering if I could use an iPhone instead of a regular PDA?

TIA!

megonia · Feb 2, 2008

Just reviving our thread :) I'm really anxious today!!

Me too, Kens! I'm on pins and needles! The only thing that's even remotely taking my mind off the wait is Super Tuesday.

fibergirl · Feb 4, 2008

fibergirl,
Have you decided anything yet?
TIA!

Well, not sure if it counts as a decision, but I have appealed UW's decision to not take my B- in organic chemistry and I started the human anatomy course, which Angela said (combined with the year of human phys I took) will waive the anatomy requirements at Yale should I get in. Soooooo if UW grants my appeal, then I'll stay in the class and keep both options open. If UW says no, I'll call Yale on Friday and see if Angela can give me the yay or nay so I can drop the class. If Yale's a no, then I'll have to stay in the class and take orgo just in case...

Anyhoo, lots of silly manuevering. Ugh!

kevkev1986 · Feb 5, 2008

So Angela said she will email us by next week regarding decision. I just thought I would share it with everybody. Good luck!