How does being waitlisted work?

If you're put on a waitlist, it's not quite an acceptance, but the college is telling you that it will consider admitting you if there's still space to fill in the incoming freshman class. A waitlist means schools can ensure that they have a full freshman class.

How likely is it to get accepted after being waitlisted?

According to recent data from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, colleges on average admit 20% of students off the waitlist. At the most selective institutions, that figure was 7%.

Is it worth it to be waitlisted?

Being waitlisted isn't terrible if you can be patient and have a backup plan. Alternatively, you can choose to back out and move on. If you were waitlisted by one of your reach schools, you might have already been planning for the alternatives. So usually, being waitlisted isn't bad.

Does waitlisted mean you got in?

Waitlisted means that the admissions office has reviewed your college application and determined that you have the academic and personal credentials for admittance, but you were not selected during their first round of admissions.

What to do if you get waitlisted?

The Entire College WAITLIST Process: Explained! + Important Advice

What not to do when waitlisted?

Don't let them think you've got sour grapes. Don't fill out the card stating that you wish to remain on the waitlist and then do nothing else. You need to submit a powerful Letter of Continued Interest as soon as possible.

Is a waitlist a rejection?

Remember that if you have been waitlisted or deferred, it does not mean you have been rejected admission. It's as if you have been asked to stay in the waiting room a little longer, pending an ultimate decision.

Should I accept waitlist offer?

Taking into account the low percentage of students accepted off the waitlist, it's smart to go ahead and accept a spot at one of the best-fit colleges that did accept you. Don't worry – accepting an admission offer at another college will not hurt your chances of being admitted off the waitlist.

Is it better to be deferred or waitlisted?

In general, you can assume that your odds are better if you've been deferred rather than waitlisted. Deferred students are reconsidered during the regular decision round and should have about the same chance as other regular decision applicants.

How long should a waitlist letter be?

A Waitlist Appeal Letter should be between 500-650 words (the length of a Personal Statement) and include the following: Specific after specific of how a student is going to contribute their singular hook to an institution through the school's programs, institutes, activities, culture, traditions, etc.

Is a waitlist a soft rejection?

As decisions keep rolling out, I know you might have some questions. First, a note: I know getting that waitlist decision can be painful. It is, in lots of ways, a soft rejection and that's by far the healthiest way to look at it, but that's also what makes it sting even more. So, be sure to take care of yourself.

Do grades matter for waitlist?

Deferred and Waitlisted Students

That correspondence will include grades from the second semester of your senior year. Colleges and universities look for consistency or improvement when you're in this position, so don't slack.

How many people get off the waitlist?

While many colleges will waitlist hundreds or even thousands of students, not all of those students will accept a spot on the waitlist, making the pool and the chances of getting in slightly better in some cases. According to NACAC, 20% of all students who chose to remain on waitlists were ultimately admitted.

What is the difference between waitlisted and accepted?

being accepted means they want you. If you confirm your decision to attend, you will enroll in that university. being waitlisted means they still want you, but not as much as they want the other admitted students. If enough admitted students decline their offer, you may stand a chance to backfill their position.

How many people are on the waitlist for Harvard?

Unfortunately, how many people are on the Harvard waitlist is not public knowledge. Due to the competitive nature of Harvard, and the published numbers from similar schools, Harvard's waitlist is roughly 1000 to 2000 people. For the 2026 class, we know that Harvard accepted 36 students from the waitlist.

What happens if you get waitlisted for early decision?

If waitlisted, their application is still under consideration. A final decision on their application will be released in the ensuing weeks.

Is being waitlisted for a college good or bad?

Being waitlisted for college means you have met the requirements for admission, but your application was not strong enough to give you a seat in the first group of admitted applicants. You will be admitted if and when a spot becomes available after other students have responded to their acceptance offers.

Is a deferral basically a rejection?

What is a Deferred College Admissions Decision? A deferral means the college wants to review your application again with the regular decision pool of applicants. While it might feel like a rejection, a deferral is not a denial, nor does it mean there was something wrong with your application.

Do waitlist decisions come in waves?

We did see a wave of applicants get accepted off waitlists in both 2020 and 2021 and even in 2022, but that was a new trend. Usually, I say think of it as a gentle rejection — and I still do for the most part.

How do colleges notify you of rejection?

Colleges send out emails to applicants, but they usually don't contain an acceptance or nonacceptance letter. Instead, the email you receive is likely going to direct you to the college's online application portal. Today, most colleges have an online portal where students can check the status of their applications.

What does priority waitlist mean?

Essentially, you're among the first few students who will be considered for open spots, should any become available after the initial acceptances and enrollments. While there is no guarantee of admission from the priority waitlist, your chances are indeed higher compared to those on the regular waitlist.

How can I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?

The most important: Write an essay to show demonstrate your interest! Look for any way to show continued interest in the school. Make sure to accept your waitlist spot! Submit a deposit to another school.

What happens after waitlist?

If your college application is waitlisted, it's basically the same as receiving a "maybe" from that school. If your application is deferred, you will not receive an early admission decision. If waitlisted, agree to enroll in a backup school, but consider writing a letter of continued interest.

Why do waitlist decisions come out after May 1?

Essentially, once the May 1 deadline has passed, if not enough applicants have decided to attend, the school will start to admit applicants off the waitlist with the hope they'll accept the offer.

How do they decide who gets off the waitlist?

If you rank higher, you'll have a greater chance of getting off the waitlist. But some colleges may neither rank waitlisted students nor accept them by priority. Individual colleges may take a more holistic approach. They may make their decision based on factors such as which majors they want represented.