Douglas Olsen
Getting waitlisted by a university is not a rejection—it means you meet the admissions requirements, but the university has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and a waitlist helps them keep students on reserve. Once available slots fill up, and students start declining acceptance offers, the admissions committee can begin considering waitlisted students. Factors such as the size of the incoming freshman class, the number of applicants that meet certain desirable demographics, and how well you've demonstrated a strong interest in attending the school can impact your chances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chance of admission | 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. However, this number varies by college, with more prestigious institutions having lower rates. |
| Waitlist acceptance rate | Acceptance rates vary significantly by school. For example, Cornell had a 3.6% average waitlist acceptance rate, while the University of California, Berkeley, had a 24.7% average waitlist acceptance rate. |
| Impact of demographics | The number of applicants that meet certain desirable demographics can impact your chances of being chosen from the waitlist. |
| Demonstrated interest | How well you've demonstrated a strong interest in attending the school can also impact your chances. |
| Class size | Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and the waitlist helps them keep students on reserve. |
| Major representation | Some colleges may decide based on which majors they want to be represented. |
| Academic credentials | The college has already decided that you have the academic credentials for admittance. |
| Additional achievements | Mention any additional academic or non-academic achievements or supplemental information that might help your case. |
| SAT/ACT scores | A super high SAT or ACT score can help you avoid getting waitlisted in the first place. |
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What You'll Learn
Waitlisting doesn't mean rejection
Being waitlisted can feel like a rejection, but it's important to remember that it's not the end of the road for your application. In fact, being placed on a waitlist means that you have met the admissions requirements, and the college is still considering your application. It's worth noting that waitlisting is quite common, with 43% of colleges using a waitlist during the 2018-19 school year, and 82% of the most selective universities in the US keeping a waitlist.
Colleges maintain waitlists because they have a limited number of spots available each year, and they cannot be certain how many accepted students will actually enrol. The waitlist helps them keep students on reserve, and once available slots fill up, they can start offering places to those on the waitlist.
If you find yourself on a waitlist, it's important to take certain steps to boost your chances of being accepted. Firstly, decide whether you want to remain on the waitlist. If the college is your top choice, it makes sense to keep your spot, but it's also crucial to prepare for the possibility of attending another college by filling out their paperwork and sending in a deposit. If you do decide to stay on the waitlist, be proactive. Contact the admissions office to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. You can also mention any new achievements or provide supplemental information that might strengthen your application.
While being waitlisted can be disappointing, it's important to remember that it doesn't define your worth as a student or a candidate. It simply means that everything didn't line up this time, and there are many factors that go into an admissions decision. Being waitlisted at one school doesn't mean that others will follow suit, so keep your options open and consider applying to other institutions as well.
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Factors that influence waitlist selection
Waitlists are not a rejection but an indication that you are a competitive candidate for that school. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and a waitlist helps them keep students on reserve. Once available slots fill up, and students start declining acceptance offers, the college admissions committee can begin considering waitlisted students.
Colleges may rank waitlisted students and have a priority list, so where you stand on the waitlist matters. The college has already decided that you have the academic credentials for admittance. Now, they may consider any additional academic or non-academic factors that might help your case—any new achievements or supplemental information.
Institutional goals and the majors they want to be represented also play a role in waitlist selection. Colleges may also consider how well you have demonstrated a strong interest in attending the school. A super high SAT or ACT score can help you avoid getting waitlisted in the first place.
Waitlist acceptance rates vary significantly by school. For example, Cornell had a 3.6% average waitlist acceptance rate, while the University of California, Berkeley, had a 24.7% average waitlist acceptance rate. Stanford, one of the most competitive schools in the country, accepted 15% off its waitlist, while the University of Michigan had a massive 21,000+ students on its waitlist and accepted only one half of one percent. Overall, waitlisted students have around a 20% chance of earning admission, but only about 7% of waitlisted students at highly selective schools got in.
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Low acceptance rates from waitlists
Waitlist acceptance rates can be difficult to predict, and there is a lot of variability between colleges and from year to year. According to data from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, colleges, on average, admit 20% of students from the waitlist. However, at the most selective institutions, that figure was only 7%.
Some colleges do not take anyone off their waitlists, while others admit a large percentage. For example, in the fall of 2023, Michigan State University admitted 97% of its 1,000 wait-listed applicants, the highest percentage among 301 schools that submitted data to U.S. News. In contrast, Stanford, one of the most competitive schools in the country, accepted only 15% of its waitlisted applicants.
The admissions office's final decision often comes down to several factors, including how many admitted students decide not to enrol and institutional priorities, such as needing to fill specific majors. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year and a degree of uncertainty about how many accepted students will actually attend. The waitlist helps colleges keep students on reserve, and once available slots fill up, they can begin offering places to waitlisted students.
Being placed on a waitlist can be challenging, and applicants often have to wait until shortly before the start of the fall semester to receive a decision. Experts advise waitlisted students to stay open to other options and be ready to quickly accept an admission offer if one is made. Additionally, applicants can take steps to increase their chances of getting off the waitlist, such as writing a letter to the school emphasising their continued interest and confirming that they will attend if accepted.
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How to improve your chances
Being placed on a waitlist is not a rejection. It means that you meet the admissions requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place. 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. However, this figure can vary depending on the college. For instance, Stanford accepted 15% of its waitlisted applicants, while the University of California, Berkeley, accepted 24.7%.
- 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. The higher you rank on the list, the better your chances are of being accepted.
- Mention any additional academic or non-academic factors that might help your case—any new achievements or supplemental information. For instance, scoring high enough on an Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam can lead to college credit.
- Write a letter to the admissions committee explaining why that school is your top choice. Assure the committee that you plan to attend if admitted.
- Talk to an admissions counsellor to better understand what the school wants from you and how you can best convey your interest.
- If you are asked to submit an essay or undergo an interview, be prepared to show admissions officers what makes you special and why you should be moved off the waitlist.
- If you have a super high SAT or ACT score, this can help you get off the waitlist and secure a place.
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The timeline of waitlist decisions
Being placed on a waitlist means that the college hasn't made a final decision about your admission. You meet the admissions requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot opens up later, you may be offered a place. Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and the waitlist helps them keep students on reserve.
Colleges typically begin considering waitlisted applicants after the May 1st deadline. This is the date by which admitted students must submit their enrollment decisions and non-refundable deposits to secure their spots. If there are still openings in the freshman class after this deadline, the college may start admitting students from the waitlist. Waitlist acceptances can occur gradually from May through July and sometimes even into August, right before the school year begins.
While some waitlist decisions may come out in May or June, others may extend into July or even later. Waitlist activity significantly slows in July and August, but it's still possible for colleges to release decisions, especially if they have not yet filled their class. Colleges in the United States typically start their fall semesters in late August or early September, so waitlist activity will be wrapped up by then.
It's important to note that not all students on the waitlist will be admitted, and some colleges may admit only a few or none at all in certain years. Several factors influence the chances of getting off the waitlist, including how many spots the college needs to fill, the representation of majors or demographics they want in the incoming class, your demonstrated interest in attending the school, and the overall strength of your application.
Colleges typically use various methods to notify students of their waitlist decisions, including email, admissions portals, regular mail, and phone calls. It's essential to monitor your email and the admissions portal regularly, as colleges often provide specific instructions and deadlines for waitlisted students.
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Frequently asked questions
Being on a university waitlist means that you meet the admissions requirements, but the university has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot opens up later, you may be offered a place.
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 more prestigious schools. For example, Stanford accepted 15% of students from its waitlist, while the University of California, Berkeley, accepted 24.7%.
You can contact the admissions office to find out if the university ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. If so, you can ask where you stand and mention any new achievements or other factors that might help your case. You can also write a letter to the admissions committee explaining why you want to attend the university and that you plan to accept if admitted.
