College Waitlist

What can you do if you are a “maybe” at your top choice school?

Although it may be frustrating to receive a wait list letter for admission, it is far better than receiving a rejection letter. After all, there is still hope. In fact, 10% of college applicants will receive a wait list decision.  The reality is that a wait list letter is not necessarily indicative of inferior academic ability.  Many students end up on a wait list simply due to lack of space in the freshman class.  After considering your other college choices, you should make a decision as to whether you wish to pursue admission through the wait list. Many schools include a card in the admission decision letter to return indicating whether the student wishes to remain on the wait list. This is how the active wait list is determined.

How many students are accepted off a wait list can vary from year to year. It depends on how many accepted students accept the offer to attend the college. Many times, summer attrition will make a college go to the wait list to meet yield. If a college is not need-blind, that will affect who they accept off the wait list.

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you wish to pursue a wait list.

1. Send only new and relevant information to support your application. It is best not to send in lots of extra material.
2. You can ask your dean or guidance counselor to call the regional representative and indicate that their school is your number one choice. They can stress that if accepted, you will definitely attend.
3. You could also write the Admission Office yourself and let them know that they are your 1^st choice and you will definitely attend if offered a spot in the freshman class. Do not have your parents do it. The letter can also address why you are a good fit for the school.
4. Some colleges may permit an interview for wait listed students (if not done already). Call and find out. If possible, meet with the Dean of Admissions.
5. Don’t bother having alumni write letters on your behalf. They are generally not helpful.
6. It is best not to bother and harass the Admissions staff.
7. Some counselors feel that it is appropriate to send in one additional letter of recommendation.
8. It is best to find another option for college, as the odds are not in your favor of being admitted from the wait list. The average of students being admitted off the wait list tends to range from 10% to 30%.
9. A decision is usually made by mid June, but it can stretch into the summer.
10. Good luck if you wish to pursue the wait list!!!

Here are some statistics at various schools sourced from: http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/f/waitlist_faq.htm

• Cornell University
  • Number waitlisted: 3,213
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 1,976
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 279
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 14%
• Grinnell College
  • Number waitlisted: 740
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 279
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 16
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 6%
• Haverford College
  • Number waitlisted: 732
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 305
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 10
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 3%
• Middlebury College
  • Number waitlisted: 1,231
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 603
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 0
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 0%
• Penn State University, University Park
  • Number waitlisted: 1,828
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 1,704
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 1,356
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 80%
• Skidmore College
  • Number waitlisted: 1,584
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 522
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 59
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 11%
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
  • Number waitlisted: 8,385
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 2,776
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 525
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 19%
• Yale University
  • Number waitlisted: 728
  • Number who accepted a place on waitlist: 204
  • Number admitted from waitlist: 56
  • Percentage admitted from waitlist: 27%