Waitlisted? Now what?

After months of anticipation, learning you’ve been waitlisted can feel like a huge letdown. While better than an outright rejection, the lack of clarity can create more questions than answers — how long will I be on the waitlist? What can I do to boost my chances? Is the waitlist even worth it?

If you’re waitlisted, remember that you submitted a great application. Not every potential student makes the waitlist, and being waitlisted means the school counts you among its most qualified applicants. Just because they didn’t have space to admit you immediately doesn’t mean they won’t in another few weeks or months. Let’s clarify how college waitlists work and what your next steps are.

How does the waitlist work?

Just as college applicants don’t know whether or not a college will admit them, colleges don’t know if admitted students will enroll. To ensure they fill all available spots, colleges create waitlists — essentially a list of qualified applicants that a school lacked the space to admit but  who nevertheless impressed the admissions team. As spots open, schools will begin contacting those students to offer admission. This process continues until the incoming freshman class is full.

To secure your spot, you’ll need to officially accept your position on the waitlist by submitting an online form. Accepting your position on the waitlist is not a commitment, so you don’t have to enroll if you’re admitted later. In fact, you can be waitlisted at several schools. If that happens, respond to each school individually. 

What are my chances of getting off the waitlist?

Getting off the waitlist is not common but not impossible. In general, your chances depend on the school and how many students they typically admit from the waitlist. Some schools admit most waitlisted students, while others admit just a fraction. Because most waitlists are unranked, students have an equal chance of getting in. If you know the school ranks its waitlist, try contacting the admissions office to learn where you fall on that list.

If I’ve been waitlisted, should I still submit an enrollment deposit to another school?

There are no guarantees with college waitlists, so continue to make a plan for your future. If you are set on attending college, you must submit an enrollment deposit at a school that accepted you by the enrollment deadline — typically May 1. Because enrollment deposits are often nonrefundable, you can’t get that money back, even if the waitlisted school admits you and you choose to go there instead.

Can I do anything to get off the waitlist?

Yes! Try writing a letter of continued interest reaffirming your desire to attend a school while providing context that might sway the admissions committee. However, not all schools accept these types of letters, so check first. For instance, Georgia Tech does not accept any additional information outside of its official Waitlist Offer Reply Form.

If you can submit a letter of continued interest, do so. Express your gratitude for the school’s continued consideration, explicitly state your interest in attending, and include any significant updates, including awards, achievements, and other relevant details. Keep the tone professional and concise, and avoid repeating details from your original application. Once sent, focus on keeping your grades up and enjoying the rest of your senior year.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.