Navigating the College Admissions Waitlist

As spring arrives, colleges and universities across the country will start issuing offers of admission to their regular decision applicants and to some early applicants initially deferred. Many of these same institutions will begin to place some students on their waitlists. 

Being added to a waitlist can feel like the worst possible scenario. Yet, many students do not know how college admission waitlists work or what to do if they find themselves on one. We are here to help you better understand the theory behind waitlists so that you can make an informed decision about your next steps.

What is a Waitlist?

College admissions waitlists are a standard part of the admissions process at many colleges and universities. Being waitlisted means a student has been neither accepted nor rejected for admission to a particular school but placed in limbo. 

When a college or university receives more applications than available spots, they must make difficult decisions about who to admit and who to reject. Waitlisting is a way for admissions officers to delay making a final decision on an applicant until they can see how many spots will be available after all the admitted students have made their decisions.

Though it seems contradictory, waitlists are full of students that admissions officers wish they could admit! Think of it this way—universities have limited residence halls, classroom seats, and resources available to incoming first-year students. If colleges accept too many students, they may have trouble finding space to house, teach, and help additional students. Instead, admissions teams use the waitlist to ensure they do not overextend themselves. As some previously accepted students decline their offers, colleges may pull students off the waitlist and accept them to the university.

In most cases, the waitlists are not ranked, meaning there is not an order to where a student falls on the waitlist. Unfortunately, there is no way to know whether you will come off a college waitlist. It is essential to understand that if an admitted student declines their offer, this does not mean that the university will automatically turn to the waitlist and take one student off of it. Colleges use waitlists to manage their enrollment numbers. They may choose to admit students from the waitlist based on various factors, including their academic qualifications, their fit with the college, and the overall composition of the admitted class. They typically have admitted more students than they expected to enroll, so they may need many students to decline their offer before turning to the waitlist.

What to Do If You Are Waitlisted

It can be frustrating and stressful if you find yourself on a college admissions waitlist. However, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of being admitted:

Accept Your Spot on the Waitlist: If you want to be considered for admission, you must accept your spot on the waitlist. Accepting a spot typically involves responding to an email or filling out a form to indicate that you are still interested in attending the school if an opening becomes available.

Send an Update: Most colleges and universities will allow you to update your application if you have new grades, test scores, or accomplishments since you submitted your application. Use this opportunity to update the admissions officers on your achievements. If a school tells you not to send additional information, do not send anything else. Colleges want you to read and follow their instructions.

Express Your Continued Interest: After accepting your spot on the waitlist, it is a good idea to follow up with the admissions office to express your continued interest in attending the school. You can send an email telling the admissions officers that you are still interested in attending if a spot becomes available. 

When Will Colleges Start to Admit Students Off the Waitlist?

Colleges typically start to turn to their waitlists in May after seeing which students offered spots initially actually enrolled. At this point, colleges will better understand how many places are still available in the incoming class. 

The exact timing for when a college will turn to the waitlist can vary depending on the school and the year. Some colleges may start admitting waitlisted students earlier in the spring if they have a particularly fluid admissions process. At the same time, others may wait until later in the summer if they are still trying to balance their incoming class.

Since the timing is unpredictable and may occur after the deadline to commit to another college has passed, it is important to move on and focus on another school. You should decide your next choice and proceed accordingly, so you don’t lose your spot there. 

Once you have accepted your spot at another college, the wait for acceptance from the waitlist can still be nerve-wracking. However, having realistic expectations and focusing on the college where you have already enrolled is important. Instead of constantly waiting for updates from the waitlisted college, invest your energy into attending orientation, participating in freshmen events, and networking with fellow students at your chosen college. These steps will help you acclimate to the new environment and feel more excited about your future. Neglecting the college you have enrolled in can only lead to disappointment if you aren't accepted from the waitlist college.

How Many Students Will be Admitted from the Waitlist?

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know exactly how many students will be admitted off a college waitlist. Each year, colleges receive a different number of applicants, and they may also have a different number of spots available in their incoming class. Additionally, colleges may also have different policies and procedures for admitting students off of their waitlist.

2022-2023 Common Data Set for Tulane University

That being said, colleges will typically give some indication of how many students they have admitted off of their waitlist in previous years. You can often find this information on the college's website, by reaching out to the admissions office, or by looking up the college’s Common Data Set which can often show how many students were placed on a waitlist and how many were offered a spot from the waitlist each year. To access the Common Data Set, use your favorite search engine to look for College Name+Common Data Set. Usually, you will find links to multiple years of Common Data Sets. Once in the Common Data Set, look for Section C: FIrst-Time, First-Year Admission to find the waitlist data. Keep in mind, however, that past data does not guarantee future outcomes, and the number of students admitted off of the waitlist can vary from year to year.

Being waitlisted for college admissions can be a frustrating and stressful experience. By following the steps outlined above, you may improve your chances of being admitted to your preferred school. And if you are not admitted, remember that there are many other great schools out there, and you will find the right fit for you. You will still be able to achieve your goals in your academic pursuit leading towards a successful future.