To be honest, I don't have much advice. I feel that your letter really showed that you are passionate and that you are a good candidate. Since you were waitlisted, and I'm guessing the admitted class is small in size, I think there's a good chance that someone who was admitted will not accept a position, and hopefully that will fall to you.<br /><br />What would you do if not admitted? Do you live in the area? It often helps, if that happens, to take a class there, if you can. That way, you can make a great impression and even have a professor in the program write you a recommendation. Of course, waiting a year isn't what you are hoping for. And hopefully you won't have to. But I know many people who have done that with philosophy programs, and things have worked out wonderfully for them.<br /><br />If you are not accepted this year, you might still try to meet with someone from the program to ask them what you can do to be a better candidate for next year. That way, you can be sure to be as competitive as possible.<br /><br />But hopefully things will work out this year!<br /><br />Oren