SO... I got into USC and wait-listed at Dartmouth. So I have 1.5 places to go in August, and a lot of confusion until that point.

I was listening to a pod-cast on Dave's Blog (Oct 16th) for what to do when you are waitlisted, and all I've determined is that applying to school is like dating. So who know what that means... I'm not a very good dater, so after over-analyzing the the letter and reading it 12 times, I've decided that Tuck is officially playing games with me. Which of course means that I have to figure out what signals are being sent and how to look more attractive to the school without crossing the stalking line.

The Podcast said that Schools fall into three types -- the "show me you love me" school, which is the clingy girlfriend of schools that expects chocolates and valentines and flowers (or at least a few emails and letters about how much you "really, really" want to go there.) The second type is the "don't call us; we'll call you" school, which is quite secure with itself, even aloof, and just wants to keep you on the back burner till you might be 'right' for them. And finally, and this is the one I'm dealing with, is the "coy" school--the perplexed option that doesn't necessarily know what it wants, or if you know what YOU want, so its just going to play games.

"Successful waitlisted candidates are able to demonstrate a clear desire to attend Tuck. Rarely are supplementary application materials necessary unless they significantly strengthen a portion of your application (i.e. appreciably improved GMAT scores, transcripts of recent courses taken to address specific course work deficits, work-related promotions that include greater responsibilities, etc.). "

--so, what do I send them? They don't want application materials, but they want desire! I'm desiring away, but do I call them? do I wait 3 days? 5 days? Send an email this week? Next?

I just don't want to get dumped.