So You Got Waitlisted…
The waitlist is my second least favorite admissions decision (obviously a rejection is the worst). The uncertainty of it is anxiety producing, to say the least, and it makes it difficult for a student to get excited about going to a school over the summer when they are hoping to get off of a waitlist somewhere else. There are also equity issues. If a family has to work to find the money to pay a deposit, losing that deposit and paying another because the student gets off a waitlist is not really an option. All of that being said, if you got waitlisted, you’re still in the game and here’s what you need to do if you want to stay that way (note: if you want to accept spots on multiple waitlists, you can definitely do that. Complete steps 1 and 3 for each school where you were waitlisted and accepting your spot on the waitlist).
Accept your spot on the waitlist- every school may have a different process for this, but usually there is something in your admissions portal that will allow you to accept your spot on the waitlist. However it works will be spelled out in detail in the materials you received that told you that you were waitlisted, so make sure you read everything that the school sent you carefully. Pay attention to deadlines, as well. If you were waitlisted and are not interested in the school, go through the steps to remove your name from the waitlist, if necessary.
Pay a deposit somewhere else- there is no guarantee that you will get accepted off of a waitlist. You need to make sure that you are all set to attend somewhere that accepted you already, so pick the school that you would like to attend if you don’t get off the waitlist and start the process of enrolling there. You will need to pay an enrollment deposit by May 1st, and you may want to pay a housing deposit if you haven’t heard anything a week or two into the month of May. It’s important that you take this seriously and pick the school that you would like to attend. This is not a consolation prize or a second choice. Right now, this is your top choice.
Send a letter of continuing interest- some schools will ask for this directly. Others won’t. Either way, it’s a good idea to send the school a letter that says 1) thank you for considering my application, 2) I am accepting my spot on the waitlist and I would attend if I am accepted, and 3) any relevant updates you have since the last time you communicated with them. The updates are not a huge deal. The judging of your application has already happened, so not having an update is not going to cause any major problems. That being said, it’s worth including just so the school has all of the information possible about you.
Wait… it’s right in the name. It’s a wait list, so you just have to wait and see what happens. Many schools will give a final date for when you will hear from them, and many won’t. If you are accepted, congratulations! You are not bound to that school and could choose to stick with the school where you’ve already paid the deposit if you choose. If you are going, then make sure you read that acceptance carefully and take care of everything they ask of you in the timeframe that they provide. The turnaround time on paying a deposit may be quick. If you are not accepted, that’s fine too. You’ve done everything you need to do to go somewhere else. It’s time to get excited about that school.
As maddening as being on a waitlist can be, you have to remember that you still have a chance. It’s a small chance and you can’t put all of your eggs in that basket, but most schools accept students off the waitlist every year. You have to go through a mental balancing act where you hold on to the hope of being admitted while making peace with going to the school to which you paid your deposit, but no matter what… you’re headed to college and that’s an achievement!
