Getting waitlisted by a college can be a confusing and sometimes frustrating experience for students. Like being deferred in the Early Decision/Action application round, being waitlisted means you are still in the running for admission. That’s a good thing! But it can also feel like you’re stuck in limbo because you don’t have a clear decision.
If you’re wondering what it means to be waitlisted and how you can hopefully get off that waitlist, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we'll break down the college waitlist, give a little tough love, and provide tips and strategies to hopefully increase your chances of getting off the waitlist.
Understand How the Waitlist Works
What does it really mean to be waitlisted?
When a college places a student on their waitlist, it means that the college is interested in the student but cannot offer them a spot in the incoming class at that time. Colleges receive far more qualified applications than they have space to accommodate—in the classrooms and the residence halls—and so they may place many potential students on a waitlist.
When do colleges start admitting students from their waitlist?
Colleges use waitlists to manage their yield (the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll). They turn to the waitlist to fill any open spots when admitted students decline their offers and decide to enroll somewhere else. Colleges may begin looking to their waitlist in spring, but many will continue into summer—even after the May 1st enrollment deadline.
What are my chances of being admitted?
Not all colleges use waitlists the same way, so read up on each college's waitlist process. Some colleges may rank their waitlist, while others might not. Some may accept a small number of waitlisted students each year, while others may have a recent history of not accepting any. Many colleges use their waitlist to round out their incoming class to fit their institution's priorities. For example, they may want to admit more students in a certain academic area or from a specific location.
Understanding each college's waitlist process can help you determine whether it's worth accepting your place on the waitlist and what steps you should take next.
Accept (or Decline!) Your Place on the Waitlist
If you've been waitlisted by a college, the first step is to decide whether or not you want to accept your place on that college’s waitlist.
If you decide to stay on the waitlist, promptly follow the college’s instructions to accept your spot and express your continued interest in attending. Many colleges will give a deadline for students to accept or decline their waitlist spot, so be sure to follow any requested steps on time to be fully considered.
Unless the college specifically requests that you do not, students can send a letter of continued interest to the college, expressing enthusiasm for the school and providing any new and un-shared updates on academic or extracurricular achievements. A letter of continued interest for a waitlisted student is very similar to the letter of continued interest a student might write if they have been deferred. These letters are an extra step to demonstrate that you are still interested in attending this particular college.
Note: Some colleges are very clear about not wanting letters of continued interest. It will not help your chances to ignore specific directions!
Also, know that you are not required to stay on a college waitlist. If you have been admitted to your dream college or even to colleges that you know you would attend before the waitlist school, you may want to consider declining your place on the waitlist.
Keep Your Grades Up
No senioritis allowed while you're waiting to hear back from colleges! Continue working hard in your classes so you finish the school year strong. Colleges may ask waitlisted students for a final transcript as they are making decisions. Maximize your chance to be admitted off the waitlist by continuing a solid academic performance.
Consider Visiting or Interviewing
If you haven't already visited the college, consider doing so. And if you still have an opportunity to interview with alumni or an admissions team member, don’t pass it up! These are forms of demonstrated interest similar to the letter of continued interest. Visiting or interviewing can help show your continued enthusiasm for the school and provide the chance for you to learn more about the college.
Note: There’s a difference between enthusiasm and desperation. Take advantage of opportunities to connect with the college, but don’t overdo it. Scheduling repeated meetings with your admissions representative may make you stand out, but it’s not necessarily in a good way!
Explore Other Options
Now, it’s time for the tough love. While being waitlisted is not the same as not being admitted, and your application was not denied… I recommend you think of your waitlist decision as a gentle no from the college.
Statistically, most waitlisted students are not ultimately admitted. You cannot let a pending waitlist decision stop you from planning your next steps.
While you're waiting to hear back from a college, keep an open mind about other colleges. Thoroughly consider and explore your current options. Revisit your reasons for applying to the other colleges that have admitted you, attend admitted student events, and choose a college you would happily attend.
Some colleges do not finish admitting from their waitlist until late summer, which is after the enrollment deadline at most colleges. It can be tempting to put all your eggs in one basket and hold out hope for your waitlist acceptance to come through, but make sure you have submitted an enrollment deposit to your next favorite college by May 1st. It's important to have a plan in place in case you aren't admitted off the waitlist or decide that the college isn't the right fit for you.
Be Patient and Respectful
Finally, college admissions teams are working hard to create a diverse and talented incoming class, and they have many factors to consider when making admissions decisions. Be patient and respectful throughout the waitlist process. Even though the wait can be long, don’t call once a week asking for an update. And it’s not a good idea to express your frustration and confusion with the college. While being waitlisted was not the outcome you hoped for, try to keep a positive attitude and trust that everything will work out for the best in the end.