What Schools Actually Have a Priority (or Ranked) Waitlist?

[jumpyoulikeabattery]

Just curious.

[michelle d]

UVA has a priority unranked listed, one out of state one in state.

[DAVIDPEARSON2006]

UVA has a priority unranked listed, one out of state one in state.

What does "unranked" mean? If it's truly "unranked", how do they determine who to give offers to first? They just pick names out of a hat? Seems sorta inefficient, especially when there's certainly variation among applicants on the waitlist.

[ChiSox07]

I got an email from Illinois saying I was on the "Priority Waiting List."  I'm not sure what that entails though.  Is it just a nice way to say "waiting list?" or are there two different lists?

[. . .]

Boston College said I was on a Priority Waiting List.

Again, not sure exactly what that entails since I withdrew.

[pastor of muppets]

UVA has a priority unranked listed, one out of state one in state.

What does "unranked" mean? If it's truly "unranked", how do they determine who to give offers to first? They just pick names out of a hat? Seems sorta inefficient, especially when there's certainly variation among applicants on the waitlist.

Supposedly they go through and review all the files on the wait-list again.  I don't believe it though.  Like you said, its just too inefficient.

[michelle d]

UVA has a priority unranked listed, one out of state one in state.

What does "unranked" mean? If it's truly "unranked", how do they determine who to give offers to first? They just pick names out of a hat? Seems sorta inefficient, especially when there's certainly variation among applicants on the waitlist.

Unranked just means they don't have a numbered, predetermined list that they'll go through numerically.  It may mean that they'll pull from the in state/out of state lists differently based on the percentage of in state and out of state confirmed attendees and/or it may mean that they'll select people from the wl based on confirmed students in order to get whatever balance or diversity they're looking for. I'm not really sure, but I know if/when they make wl offers they evaluate those on the list and go from there (they may have short notes from the original review, or they may just reread it.  It's not as if there's a ton of info to go over.)

[sk]

I know Boalt Hall ranks the waitlist...