Would you call to ask about a fee waiver?

[thorpedodude]

After I've seen people on this board with numbers comparable to mine who got feel waivers to certain schools I want to apply to and I have gotten jack, I'm wondering if it might be fruitful to call the schools and inquire as to whther there is a chance I might get one.  Does anybody think that's a good idea?  Has anybody done it?

[Laura]

I called Yale and told them about my #s (3.9 and 178).  They put me through to the dean who FedExed my waiver.  You should definitely call.

[TDPookie1]

a couple people have done it, with mixed results.  block your caller ID when you call, and don't give your name unless they say they'll send a fee waiver.  that way it can only help, can't hurt.

[thorpedodude]

Yeah, that's why I was thinking call and not e-mail.  How do I block my caller ID?

[TDPookie1]

*67, then dial the rest of the number normally.

[helendemilo]

I called USC to ask why I hadn't gotten a fee waiver, and they said they hadn't sent them all out yet.  I got one the next week.  I didn't have to give my name or anything.  If your numbers are reasonably within the range that they've sent waivers to, I don't think it could hurt your admissions chances to call and talk to someone.  Honestly, the admissions people I've talked to seem nice and understanding.  At least this early in the season...

[vagrant]

I called one school that sent out waivers to people with numbers below mine.  They seem to have put an upper cap on their fee waiver numbers (yield protection?).  Since I politely showed a reasonable level of interest in their school, they quickly emailed me a waiver.

I called Harvard, too.  I told them my numbers and they fed-exed me airline tickets.

(The first one was serious, the second one obviously was not.)

[TDPookie1]

ha ha, i sense a good joke starting here like the guy that said he talked to yale.  i'll continue...

i called cooley and told them my numbers.  they mailed me a toilet seat.

[Laura]

I'm a girl (Laura) but that's okay. 

I forgot to mention that I also called Cornell and they mailed me not only a fee waiver but a pre-written suicide note "just in case you get in".  Isn't that thoughtful?

[TDPookie1]