Why so many waitlists?

Why so many waitlists?

It’s late March again and seniors are receiving admissions notifications.  They anticipate acceptances—and some denials from their stretch schools—but few consider that they might be waitlisted from a school of their choice.  Yet “waitlisting” is becoming a more common method colleges use to manage enrollment.

In the past year (2022-23) the number of college applications has continued to soar.  According to education journalist Jeff Selingo, at selective institutions, the number of applications has increased by 32% in the past three years.  No wonder there is more and uncertainty about admissions.

Colleges and universities use waitlists protect or ensure good “yields.”  They want to know whether the students to whom they offer admission will actually attend.  Offering additional qualified students waitlist status, gives them a “cushion,” a backup in case not enough students send in their acceptances and deposits. 

Schools use different criteria for admitting students off waitlists but in general, there is no ranking.  They offer places to students when spots open up in particular majors or programs.  Some highly selective schools might not offer any waitlist spots during some admissions cycles.  The overall average is about 20% of students on waitlists are ultimately offered admission, but of course this statistic varies widely with individual students and schools.

Waitlists present an often aggravating and agonizing situation for students who sometimes don’t know where they’ll be matriculating in the fall until well past the May 1 deposit date.

Here are some thoughts and strategies about dealing with waitlists should you find yourself placed on one—or several:

1. Allow yourself to feel disappointment, but then realize that you are a well-qualified student and have other options.    

2. Send in an enrollment deposit to your top choice college of the schools to which you are accepted.

3. Accept waitlist status for schools that remain top choices of all the schools on your list.

4. Contact the admissions representative for any private schools on your list to let them know you are still interested, and optionally, to find out why you weren’t admitted.  This may give you a better idea of your chances of moving off the waitlist.

5. If the school accepts “letters of continued interest” on the waitlist acceptance form or separately, draft a concise upbeat letter giving specific updates on your accomplishments: fall term grades, awards, new activities, etc. Explain briefly why this school’s program in particular fits your academic goals.

6. Move on.  Focus on what attracts you to the school where you deposited.  Find out more about its programs, visit if possible and ask the admissions office if you can talk with current students.  The more you engage with your new school, the more excited you’ll feel about attending.