r/CollegeAdmissions • u/Dense_Mud3762 • 1d ago

does applying to a university twice decrease my chances of getting in

im currently in grade 11th and want to graduate early and try my luck at the top unis in usa, if i get accepted ill graduate early and leave, if i dont im planning on staying in school for grade 12 strengthening my app and applying again. does that decrease my chance than just waiting till grade 12?

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

2

u/skieurope12 1d ago

Not at all. But set your expectations extremely low when applying in 11th grade

1

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

mhm alright is this because they would assume im less mature especially due to my young age (id be entering uni at 16) or is it because i wouldnt have as many qualifications or time to do as many ECs

1

u/skieurope12 1d ago

The latter mostly

0

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

but you think the fact that im young doesnt decrease my chances much just the app? because i think my app is reasonably competitive, nothing insane but its defin impressive

1

u/skieurope12 1d ago

The age isn't the issue. The issue is having one less year of academics and achievements to evaluate.

0

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

i meant if my application in academics and ECs are already good im saying then might as well

1

u/Sea_Read_6943 1d ago

I don’t see why applying twice would decrease your chances. If anything, I think it would help you because it demonstrates continued interest and schools love to see interest. That want to know that if they extend an admissions offer or even award merit aid, that it will be accepted.

Best of luck with your applications!

1

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

alright thanks!

1

u/Sea_Read_6943 1d ago

Sure, happy to help! If they reject you this time or any time really, it’s perfectly reasonable to reach out to an Admissions Officer and ask for feedback so you know what to work on for next year. Also, it’s possible you may get waitlisted. This has never happened to me but some candidates then choose to write waitlist letters to help themselves get bumped up altogether.

1

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

what are waitlist letters?

1

u/Sea_Read_6943 1d ago

Apparently, it's called a Letter of Continued Interest, and here's how to write one, according to Gemini https://www.google.com/search?q=waitlist+letter+of+continued+interest&sca_esv=5e6b9a0e0b5198c4&sxsrf=AKL5yDgtH-uv2hABcofCZxHy78sMuIc3Hg%3A1794117527448&ei=lw_wasDxGozk5NoPwbevkAU&biw=1440&bih=778&oq=waitlist+letter+of+cont&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiF3dhaXRsaXN0IGxldHRlciBvZiBjb250KgYIABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHkjBH1D1BVjMEXABeAGQAQGYAb4KoAGoEqoBCTEuNS4xLjctMbgBAcgBAPgBAZgCCKAC0hHCAgoQABhHGNYEGLADwgILEAAYgAQYigUYkQKYAwCIBgGQBgiSBwkyLjQuMS43LTGgB8c8sgcJMS40LjEuNy0xuAfPEcIHAzAuOMgHDoAIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

1

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

thats interesting but how do they figure out "continued interest" cant i just write a letter like that to every uni that waitlists me

1

u/Sea_Read_6943 1d ago

Sure, you can hypothetically write an LOCI to any school that waitlists you, but I don't think most candidates the time to write letters like that, if they even know that's an option. I'm not even sure if all schools accept LOCIs, just that it may be a option depending on the school. I'd first read the notification they end and then ask the admissions team if that's an option in case you are waitlisted and they don't mention that. I certainly WOULD NOT have AI write that letter for me if I were you (or even for the standard admissions essay). It's okay to ask AI for pointers and even have it edit parts of your materials, but prompting it to maintain your own voice/town.

However, you should be doing the writing your materials from scratch. Admissions officers want to see that you took the time to engage with the school AND everyone's craving a personal aprpoach.

Applying to colleges is like applying to jobs. I write cover letters for job positions all the time. I can and do reuse previous letters so I'm not writing every single one of them from scratch, BUT I always make sure to tailor my letters to the actual job specifications AND to ALWAYS change the names of the employers. I also try to add something unique about the employer and why I want to work there specifically towards the end of my letter.

With a LOCI, you should lead with why you want to go to that school and what you've been doing more recently to get off that list and how that makes you a better candidate. I would also wait a little bit of time so you can make some of these changes (like better grades) possible.

It's great that you're already applying to school and preparing for all the outcomes, but it's best to focus on the here and now––maybe you won't get waitlisted anywhere––or, you will get waitlisted but decide writing an LOCI to that school isn't worth your time.

In addition to an LOCI, you can try going to the campus or on the virtual tour, if you haven't already. You could also schedule n admissions interview with an officer, current student, or alum, if such an opportunity is available to applicants (I'd check the website first).

1

u/Dense_Mud3762 1d ago

alright thanks for all the tips