For those of you who are awaiting college decision letters, besides the Accept and Deny decisions, there is also the Waitlist (WL), which is sort of an admissions limbo. You’re not “in,” yet you’re not “out” either. The waitlist is analogous to “space available” standby for an overbooked airline flight; if regular passengers choose not to fly, you may be able to get a seat.
Due to increased applications numbers coupled with the need to make enrollment numbers, many colleges and universities have made more and more use of the waitlist. They will admit students off the wait list only if they have additional spaces available to fill their freshman class. Thus, chances of acceptance off waitlists is highly unpredictable.
So what can you do if you’ve been waitlisted at a school you would love to attend?
Assess your options.
Ponder and discuss with your family if that top-choice school that has waitlisted you is still a top-choice. This might just be a reality check for you – for example – are you comfortable being in limbo, or with the prospect of having to forfeit a deposit at a school you’ve committed to?
Check and follow instructions, including deadlines.
If you are still interested in a waitlisted school – follow their instructions. They could just ask you to have an opt-in choice with a simple “yes” or “no”. They may give you the opportunity to write a brief Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to state your interest in being considered for admission off the waitlist. Do not send more materials to the school (love letters, telephone calls to admissions officers, letters of reference, etc.) unless specifically called for – you will simply annoy the admissions office. Make sure to reply by the deadline stated if interested.
Secure a spot at another school.
Colleges and universities will only work through their admissions waitlists after other students commit to enroll on the May 1 deadline. Because there is no guarantee that you will be offered to enroll off the waitlist, you should formally accept another school’s offer of acceptance (with a non-refundable deposit) to ensure you will have a school to attend in the fall. You should make plans accordingly to attend that university in the meantime.
Be patient.
Once you’ve declared your interest to be on a waitlist, it’s just a waiting game. Depending on the school, you may be able to update them with your latest grades, or a quick note on your continued interest – again, check with the school if they allow for that.
If you get accepted – re-assess.
Congratulations if you’ve been offered a space off the waitlist. It’s good to think over and consider the offer and whether you still feel the same way. As mentioned earlier, to take up the new offer will incur costs of forfeited deposits you’ve paid at your other school. On the other hand, if you ultimately decide to not take up the offer from the waitlist school, that’s alright too – just inform them that you won’t be enrolling so that someone else can be offered that space – it’s not a binding offer.
Best wishes and good luck to you all on your journey.
