For many students, the college admissions process is the first major decision-making process of their young adult lives. The process can be overwhelming, with application deadlines, test scores, and essays to worry about. And when decisions come in, receiving a waitlist notification can add another layer of stress and confusion. But being waitlisted is not the end of the road. In fact, it may be an opportunity for students to demonstrate their interest and commitment to a particular school.
Waitlisting is a tool that universities use to manage their enrollment and ensure that they have a diverse and qualified student body. When a student is waitlisted, it means that they are not guaranteed a spot in the incoming class, but they are being considered for admission if spots become available. Universities typically waitlist students who are on the cusp of being accepted but may need more time for the admissions committee to decide.
While being waitlisted may not be the ideal outcome, it is important for students to understand the waitlisting process and how to navigate it to make informed decisions about their next steps. Students need to understand that being waitlisted is not a rejection, but it is also not an acceptance. It is a middle ground, and students must decide whether to accept their spot on the waitlist or move on to other options.
What is University Waitlisting?
University waitlisting is a process that occurs when a university receives more applications than they have spots available in their incoming class. In this situation, a university may place some applicants on a waitlist, which means they will be considered for admission if spots open up due to students declining their offers or other circumstances.
While being waitlisted may seem like a negative outcome, it is essential to remember that it is not a rejection. The university is still interested in the student and believes they could be a good fit for their community, but they cannot admit all qualified applicants at that time. According to a report by Inside Higher Education, in 2020, over 40% of colleges and universities reported using waitlists, with private institutions being more likely to use them than public institutions.
Additionally, being placed on a university’s waitlist does not reflect the student's achievements or abilities. The admissions committee recognizes the hard work and dedication that goes into a student’s application and is often impressed with their qualifications, which is why they have been placed on the waitlist. Therefore, it is important to remain positive and not let the waitlist status diminish the student’s self-confidence or sense of accomplishment.
It is also crucial to understand that each university has its own waitlisting process. Some universities may use the waitlist sparingly and only consider a small number of students, while others may utilize the waitlist more extensively. Students need to research the specific university’s waitlist policies and understand the likelihood of being admitted off the waitlist.
How Does Waitlisting Work?
When a student is placed on a university’s waitlist, they will typically be notified of their status via email or letter. The notification will typically include instructions indicating whether the student wants to remain on the waitlist, decline the offer, or accept admission at another university.
If the student chooses to remain on the waitlist, they will typically be asked to complete a form or provide additional information, such as updated grades or test scores, to support their application. The university will then review the waitlisted students and make a final decision based on the number of spots available and the strength of the applicant pool.
According to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, around 39% of colleges reported using a waitlist in 2020, and the acceptance rate for students on the waitlist was only around 22%. This means that students on the waitlist may face an uphill battle to gain acceptance to their desired university.
However, it is important to note that some universities have much higher waitlist acceptance rates than others. For example, in 2020, Duke University had a waitlist acceptance rate of 10%, while the University of Notre Dame had a waitlist acceptance rate of 60%. Students should research the specific policies and statistics of the universities they are waitlisted at to better understand their chances of acceptance.
When Will You Hear Back?
The waitlisting process can vary by university, but typically students will hear back in late spring or early summer after universities have received responses from admitted students and have a better understanding of the available spots in the incoming class. It is important to remember that universities may continue to admit students off the waitlist throughout the summer, so it is essential to remain patient and flexible.
This is varied between universities: a study by the University of California, Berkeley found that the majority of waitlist offers are made between May 1st and June 30th, with very few offers made after July 1st.
What Should You Do if You Are Waitlisted?
If you are waitlisted at a university, it is important to remain hopeful and patient while considering alternative options. Here are some steps you can take:
Accept Admission at Another University
According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the average acceptance rate for four-year colleges and universities in the United States is around 66%. This means that most students who apply to college are not accepted at all of the schools they apply to. In fact, a study by the Higher Education Research Institute found that only 6.8% of students were accepted to their first-choice school.
Therefore, if you have received an offer of admission from another university, it may be wise to accept it rather than remain on the waitlist at your preferred university. This will ensure you have a spot reserved for the upcoming academic year, and can begin planning accordingly. It is also important to note that accepting an offer from one university does not prevent you from later accepting an offer from a waitlisted university if it becomes available.
Indicate Your Interest in the University
If you choose to remain on the waitlist, it is crucial to indicate your continued interest in the university. According to a survey conducted by NACAC, over 50% of colleges and universities in the United States reported that demonstrated interest was either moderately or considerably important in their admissions decisions.
This can be done through a letter or email to the admissions office, expressing your enthusiasm for the university and any updates to your application or academic achievements. In fact, a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that students who sent a letter of continued interest were more likely to be admitted off the waitlist than those who did not.
Provide Additional Information
Many universities will allow waitlisted students to provide additional information to support their application, such as updated grades or test scores. According to NACAC, around 40% of colleges and universities reported allowing waitlisted students to submit additional information.
If this is an option, taking advantage of it and providing any relevant updates that could strengthen your application is crucial. A study by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators found that providing additional information to a waitlisted university can increase the chances of admission.
Even more shocking is that a survey by College Transitions found that only 20% of waitlisted students actually provided additional information to support their application, while the majority did not take advantage of this opportunity. Providing additional information is an opportunity that many students forget to leverage - if your university allows you to submit additional information, ensure you are doing so.
Attend Events and Connect with the University
Attending events or visiting the university can demonstrate your continued interest in the university and may help you stand out among the waitlisted pool. According to NACAC, over 50% of colleges and universities reported that demonstrated interest, such as visiting campus, was moderately or considerably important in their admissions decisions.
If possible, consider attending an admitted student event or scheduling a visit to the campus. In fact, a study by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers found that students who visited a campus were more likely to be admitted than those who did not.
Stay Positive and Focus on Your Current Opportunities
While waiting for a final decision from the university, it is important to stay positive and focus on making the most of your current opportunities. According to a study by the University of Chicago, students who remain positive and focused on their current opportunities are more likely to be successful in the future.
Continue to work hard in your classes, participate in extracurricular activities, and explore alternative options if the waitlist decision does not go your way. Remember that being waitlisted is not a rejection, and you still have options and opportunities available to you.
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