Seven Things Waitlisted Students Should Do

Some students would rather be denied than waitlisted, and I certainly understand that sentiment. For many students, the college application process has been a long and protracted ordeal; with a waitlist letter, it’s going to last a few months longer with far less certainty about how it will end. It also adds more pressure on students’ continued academic performance for the spring of their senior year. 

Here is a little context for waitlist decisions from the more selective colleges: Some waitlists are “genuine” waitlists. They truly signify that if space opens up, the college will extend an offer of admission. Schools with “genuine” waitlists simply had too many qualified applicants to take all those they really wanted. However, some waitlist decisions are “courtesy” offers. These are for the applications where the admissions officer knows the applicant would not be seriously considered for a spot in the class but, for whatever reason, doesn’t want to send a deny letter. Maybe the student’s parent is an active alum. Or it could be that the application was the first one the college received from that high school, and the office doesn’t want to discourage future applicants. There can be all kinds of reasons for a “courtesy” waitlist.

How can a student know which category their waitlist offer is? They can't, but there are actions they can take nonetheless.

Seven Things Waitlisted Students Can Do

1. Most schools will give you some mechanism for you to contact them and stay on their active waitlist. DO THIS QUICKLY. There is a big difference in perception if a student opts in within a few days after the decision or if they do it on April 30.
2. Write a letter to the admissions officer indicating strong continued interest. This is often referred to as a “letter of continued interest.” Wait a week or so to take this step. Don’t do it five minutes after step one. Make sure to include any significant updates to the application that would enhance admissibility.
3. Come to terms with the fact that the waitlisting school is Plan B at best. You must have a Plan A. This means moving forward with a school that did accept you by sending in your deposit and reserving your place in the class prior to the standard May 1 deadline.
4. Once the rawness of the decision has subsided a bit, consider the reality of your options. If you do get in, can you afford the waitlisting school? In my 16 years of experience, I never offered a scholarship to a student admitted from the waitlist. Are you prepared to uproot and forfeit your deposit at School A to accept a waitlist offer at School B? Often you have already talked to your future roommate at School A, and possibly even chosen classes, when you get the call from School B. It might be emotionally and logistically more difficult than you think to accept the offer and make that switch.
5. Send another brief letter in early May if you are still interested. Most students feel at this point that they are so committed to their Plan A school that they have lost interest in their waitlist option. Now, you may think that this is impossible, but it may happen to you too. If you are still interested, though, consider sending a succinct update
6. Be prepared to make a quick decision. When I was calling waitlisted students and making an admission offer, I would ask them to make a decision within 48 hours. If they needed financial aid, they would have a week to make their decision. Check your email and admissions portal regularly. Some universities will call you directly, while many will send an email to alert you to an offer in the admissions portal. If you miss the email, you may miss the opportunity.
7. Wait. Hence the name. There is no way to know if you are going to get a call or not, and sometimes that call may come as late as July. The National Association for College Admission Counseling guidelines state that waitlist offers must be made by August 1. That’s a long time to wait and not be certain about your fall plans. Most students commit to their Plan A well before this point.