Lana Oconnell
Getting waitlisted by a university is not a rejection. It means that you meet the admissions requirements but the university does not currently have space for you in their incoming class. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and being waitlisted means you are a competitive candidate for the school. However, the chances of getting in off a waitlist vary by college. Prestigious, harder-to-get-into schools may have lower acceptance rates from their waitlists, which can be as low as 3.6% or 7%. Overall, waitlisted students have around a 20% chance of earning admission. If you are waitlisted, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of acceptance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chance of admission | Colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists. However, this number varies based on the college. For instance, Stanford accepted 15% off its waitlist, while the University of California, Berkeley, had a 24.7% average waitlist acceptance rate. |
| Applicant's next steps | Waitlisted applicants can accept or reject a waitlist offer. If they accept, they should contact the admissions office to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. They can also mention any new achievements or supplemental information. |
| College's selection criteria | Colleges may rank waitlisted students or accept them by priority. Alternatively, they may take a more holistic approach and make decisions based on factors such as which majors they want to be represented. |
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What You'll Learn
Waitlisting is not a rejection
Being waitlisted can be stressful and it can be easy to feel discouraged. However, it is important to remember that being waitlisted is not a rejection. In fact, it means that you have met the admissions requirements and the college is interested in your application. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year and a degree of uncertainty about how many students who are accepted will actually attend. If a significant number of students that a college accepts also got acceptance offers from other colleges, the college has no way of knowing for sure how many accepted students will choose them. The waitlist helps colleges keep students on reserve. Once available slots fill up, and students start declining acceptance offers, the college admissions committee can begin moving on to the waitlisted students.
Colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists, according to a 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. The numbers vary based on the college waitlisting you. With prestigious, harder-to-get-in schools, the numbers can be much lower, and for other colleges, they can be much higher. If you are waitlisted, it is important to take the initiative. Contact the admissions office or check the college’s website to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or if it has a priority list. Most colleges are willing to let you know your status. The higher you rank on the list, the better your chances are of being accepted.
If you are waitlisted, it is a good idea to prepare to attend another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the paperwork, and send a deposit. You’ll forfeit this deposit if the college that waitlisted you offers you a place and you accept. However, it is important to be sure you have a place in an incoming first-year class.
Being waitlisted is not a reflection of your qualifications or abilities. It is simply a result of the limited spots available at colleges and the uncertainty about how many accepted students will choose to attend. If you are waitlisted, stay proactive, take initiative, and remember that it is not a rejection.
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Colleges' waitlist acceptance rates vary
Colleges waitlist acceptance rates vary, and it can be challenging to determine your chances of getting off the waitlist. According to a 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists. However, these numbers can differ significantly depending on the college. For example, prestigious and highly selective institutions may have much lower acceptance rates from their waitlists, while other colleges may have higher rates.
The waitlist is a tool used by colleges to manage their class size and ensure they have enough students to meet their enrolment targets. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and they may receive an uncertain number of acceptances from admitted students who have multiple offers. The waitlist helps colleges keep students on reserve, and they can offer these spots as accepted students decline their offers.
Some colleges may rank their waitlisted students, giving those higher on the list a better chance of being accepted. Other colleges may not use rankings but instead take a holistic approach, considering factors such as desired majors and institutional goals when deciding whom to admit from the waitlist.
To improve your chances of being accepted from the waitlist, it is essential to express continued interest to the admissions office. This can be done through a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) or by providing updates on any new achievements or supplemental information. It is also crucial to follow the college's specific procedures and ensure that any communication is tailored to the institution.
While it is important to remain proactive, excessive contact with the admissions office may be counterproductive. Additionally, it is wise to prepare for the possibility of attending another college by sending in a deposit, as waitlist decisions can extend into the summer before classes begin.
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Applicants can increase their chances
Being placed on a university waitlist can be stressful, but it's important to remember that it's a good sign. It means that the university has already decided that you meet their admissions requirements and feel you are qualified to be admitted. However, it can be challenging to determine the exact steps to take to increase your chances of getting off the waitlist, as each university's method for deciding may vary. Here are some strategies that applicants can use to improve their chances:
Express Continued Interest
Let the university know that you are still interested in attending by sending a Letter of Intent or replying to their inquiry through their portal. Emphasize your strong desire to attend and make a case for why you're a good fit. Be sure to only do this if you are absolutely certain that you will enroll if they accept you.
Provide Updates on Accomplishments
Since your initial application, you may have had new achievements or supplemental information that could strengthen your application. Create a list of any significant accomplishments, such as improved grades, new research, awards, or extracurricular involvement. These updates can demonstrate your continued growth and dedication.
Write a Compelling Waitlist Letter
Brainstorm ways to make your application more memorable by including a clear and compelling personal story or anecdote. This helps admissions officers see you as a full personality beyond just your application. Request an alumni interview if you haven't had one already, as this can also help them get to know you better.
Stay Informed About Your Status
Contact the admissions office or check the university's website to find out if they rank waitlisted students or have a priority list. Knowing your status can give you a better understanding of your chances of being accepted. If you rank higher on the list, your chances of getting off the waitlist increase.
Prepare for Other Options
While remaining on the waitlist, it is important to prepare for the likelihood of attending another college that has accepted you. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the necessary paperwork, and submit your deposit. Remember that you will forfeit this deposit if the university that waitlisted you offers you a place and you accept. It is also a good idea to have your name removed from any waitlists where you know you will not be attending.
Although being on a university waitlist can be challenging, taking these proactive steps can help increase your chances of getting off the waitlist and securing a place at your desired university.
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Colleges' reasons for waitlisting
Colleges use waitlists as a backup plan in case they don't meet their enrolment targets for the incoming class. This allows them to control their admit rate and increase their yield rate, or the percentage of students who accept admission offers. Waitlists are also used to ensure a desired class size and composition.
Colleges may waitlist students who have strong applications but fall just short of the admissions criteria. For example, an applicant might submit a compelling personal statement but have lower test scores than other candidates. In other cases, a student with a perfect application may be waitlisted because they are seen as a "safety" school for that student, and the college wants to gauge their level of interest.
Waitlists can also be used to admit students from the same high school or community as current students, or to admit students with athletic, fundraising, or political connections. Colleges may also waitlist students who need a lot of financial aid.
Being waitlisted is not the same as being rejected. If you are waitlisted, you can increase your chances of admission by expressing your continued interest in the college and highlighting any recent academic achievements or extracurricular activities.
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Applicants' next steps
If you are waitlisted, it means that you meet the academic requirements for the college but they don't currently have space for you in their incoming class. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and being waitlisted means that you are a competitive candidate for the school and you still have a chance of earning a spot in the class. According to a 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists.
If you are waitlisted, your first step is to respond and let the college know whether or not you want to stay on the waitlist. It is important to only keep your spot on the list if you are really interested in going to the college. If you decide to stay on the waitlist, take the initiative and contact the admissions office or check the college's website to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. If they do, the higher you rank, the better your chances are of being accepted.
It is a good idea to prepare to attend another college, as waitlisted students may not find out if they have been accepted until shortly before the semester starts. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the paperwork, and send a deposit. You will forfeit this deposit if the college that waitlisted you offers you a place and you accept, but it is important to have a backup plan.
You can also take steps to improve your chances of being accepted from the waitlist. Mention any new achievements or supplemental information that might help your case. You could write a letter to the admissions committee explaining why that school is your top choice and that you plan to attend if admitted. You can also talk to an admissions counsellor to better understand what the school wants from you and how you can best convey your interest.
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Frequently asked questions
Being waitlisted means that you meet the academic requirements for the university, but they don't currently have space for you in their incoming class. Being waitlisted is not a rejection—waitlisted students are still competitive candidates and have a chance of earning a spot.
This varies by school. According to a 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists. However, this number can be much lower for prestigious, harder-to-get-into schools. For example, in 2018-19, only about 7% of waitlisted students at highly selective schools were admitted.
Here are some steps you can take:
- Check if the university ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list, and try to find out your status. The higher your ranking, the better your chances.
- Contact the admissions office to understand what the university is looking for, and convey your interest in attending.
- Provide any new academic achievements or supplemental information that might strengthen your application.
- Submit a letter to the admissions committee explaining why the university is your top choice and that you plan to attend if admitted.
