University Waitlist: Strategies For Student Selection

Getting admitted off a university waitlist can be a confusing and frustrating process. While some universities do not admit any students off their waitlists, others admit a significant percentage. Waitlisted applicants can take several steps to increase their chances of getting in, such as expressing continued interest, submitting a letter of interest, and focusing on their high school academics. Ultimately, it is important for applicants to be realistic about their admissions odds and prepare to attend another college.

Applicants should express continued interest in the university

Waitlisted applicants can increase their chances of getting into their dream college by expressing continued interest in the university. Here are some ways to do that:

Write a letter of interest

Writing a letter of interest is a great way to demonstrate continued interest in the university. In the letter, applicants can emphasise why they are a good fit for the campus and provide important updates on personal or academic fronts. However, it's important to remember that a letter of interest is just one of many factors that will play into the waitlist decisions.

Contact the admissions office

Experts suggest that waitlisted applicants contact the admissions office to express their continued interest. They can also check the college's website to find out if the college ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. Knowing where they stand on the waitlist can help applicants understand their chances of getting accepted.

Highlight unique aspects of the college

When expressing continued interest, applicants should talk about the specific aspects of the university that appeal to them. This could include the general mission and spirit of the university, specific academic programs, or extracurricular activities. By doing this, applicants can demonstrate their commitment to the institution and show that they would be a good fit for the campus community.

Provide updates on achievements and supplemental information

Waitlisted applicants should take the opportunity to mention any new achievements or supplemental information that could boost their application. This could include academic or non-academic factors, such as improved test scores, awards, or new extracurricular activities. By providing updates, applicants can showcase their continued growth and development, even after their initial application.

Be realistic and prepare alternatives

While it's important to express continued interest, waitlisted applicants should also remain realistic about their chances of admission. It's wise to prepare for the likelihood of attending another college by filling out the necessary paperwork and sending in a deposit. This ensures that applicants have a spot in an incoming first-year class, even if they don't get accepted off the waitlist.

Universities may consider an applicant's major and non-academic qualities

When it comes to selecting students from a waitlist, universities may consider an applicant's major and non-academic qualities. This is because universities often seek to admit well-rounded classes and predict who will ultimately enrol, which can involve prioritising certain majors or desirable qualities that applicants bring to the school.

Considering an Applicant's Major

Some universities may consider an applicant's major when deciding whom to admit from the waitlist. This is especially true if the university aims to ensure a diverse range of academic programmes are represented in the incoming class. For example, a university might prioritise admitting students majoring in a particular field if there is high demand or limited capacity for that programme. Therefore, if a spot opens up in a specific academic programme, the university might turn to the waitlist to find a student with that major to fill the place.

Weighing Non-Academic Qualities

Universities may also consider non-academic qualities when deciding whom to admit from the waitlist. This could include factors such as extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, or other achievements that demonstrate well-roundedness and a strong fit with the university's values and community. For example, a university might prioritise applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to social impact or those who have unique life experiences that would enrich the campus community.

Demonstrating Continued Interest

In addition to considering an applicant's major and non-academic qualities, universities often value demonstrated continued interest from waitlisted applicants. This means that applicants should proactively express their ongoing interest in attending the university and provide updates on any recent academic or personal achievements. Writing a letter of interest or contacting the admissions office can be effective ways to remain in contention for admission. However, it is important to note that a student's major and non-academic qualities are just two of many factors that universities consider when making waitlist decisions.

Applicants should be realistic about their admissions odds

Being placed on a college waitlist can be confusing and frustrating. It's important to remember that colleges use waitlists to keep students on reserve in case their accepted students decide to go elsewhere. This means that being on a waitlist doesn't guarantee admission, and applicants should be realistic about their admissions odds.

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 vary significantly depending on the college. For example, more prestigious and harder-to-get-into schools may admit a much lower percentage of waitlisted students, while other colleges may admit a much higher percentage. Additionally, the waitlist acceptance rates can fluctuate from year to year, so it's challenging to predict your chances of getting in.

While it's okay to hold out hope, it's important to manage your expectations and stay excited about the other opportunities available to you. If you're on a college waitlist, consider the following:

• Reflect on your circumstances: Make a list of the other colleges that have accepted you, as well as any other options like taking a gap year. Think about the unique skills and learning experiences associated with each choice to help you get enthusiastic about all possibilities.
• Accept the uncertainty: Waiting for a decision can be challenging, so it's important to acknowledge and accept these feelings instead of ignoring them.
• Secure your spot elsewhere: Unless you decide to take a gap year, it's crucial to secure your spot at another college by submitting your acceptance and deposit by the May 1 deadline. This ensures that you have a place to continue your education even if you don't get accepted from the waitlist.
• Express continued interest: Contact the admissions office to reaffirm your interest in attending the specific college. Let them know why you're a good fit for the campus and provide any important updates on personal or academic achievements. However, keep in mind that an interest letter is just one of many factors in the waitlist decision-making process.
• Be prepared to make a decision: If you are offered a place from the waitlist, be ready to decide quickly. This includes notifying the college where you previously submitted a deposit that you will no longer be attending, as most deposits are non-refundable.

Universities may consider an applicant's demonstrated interest in attending

Universities and colleges may consider an applicant's demonstrated interest when deciding whether to admit them from a waitlist. Demonstrated interest is a way for colleges to assess how interested an applicant is in attending their school. It is particularly important for colleges with limited student capacity.

Demonstrated interest can be shown in many ways, both before and after submitting an application. Before applying, a student can reach out to their assigned counsellor to express their interest and ask for advice on strengthening their application. They can also attend information sessions or college fairs at their high school, take a virtual or in-person campus tour, follow social media accounts, open emails from the college, join webinars, and check out the college's website.

After submitting an application, an applicant can continue to demonstrate interest by participating in interviews, emailing admissions officers with relevant questions or reasons, and applying early decision if this option is available. They can also write a letter of interest to emphasise why they are a good fit for the campus and provide any important updates. However, it is important to note that a letter of interest is just one of many factors that will play into waitlist decisions.

While demonstrated interest can be an important factor in admissions decisions, it is not the only factor. Other considerations may include academic credentials, essays expressing interest and desire to attend the school, and the number of available spots in specific majors or programs. Ultimately, each college will have its own process for selecting students from the waitlist, and it may not always be clear how much weight demonstrated interest carries.

Applicants should prepare for the likelihood of attending another college

Being placed on a college waitlist can be an uncomfortable position to be in, as it is difficult to predict whether you will be accepted or not. It is important to remember that your application was good enough to not get rejected, and there are many things you can do to increase your odds of getting off a waitlist. However, it is still wise to prepare for the likelihood of attending another college.

Colleges have a limited number of spots available each year, and being on the waitlist 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. However, this is rare, and it is best to prepare for the school you are currently admitted to.

If you are offered a spot on the college waitlist, you may either accept the invitation and allow your name to be added or decline if you would rather not wait or have decided to attend a different college. If you choose to remain on the waitlist, it is important to take the initiative to boost your chances of being accepted. Contact the admissions office to express continued interest and check if the college ranks waitlisted students or has a priority list. Most are willing to let you know your status. The higher you rank on the list, the better your chances are of being accepted.

Even if you decide to remain on the waitlist, it is important to prepare for the likelihood of attending another college. Choose the best fit from the colleges that accepted you, fill out the paperwork, and send in your deposit. You will 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 for the fall.

Frequently asked questions