Waitlisted for College: What Now?

What If Your Child Is Waitlisted?By now, college application decisions should be rolling into your student’s inbox and mailbox. If you haven’t heard back from all the schools yet, the wait is almost over. Most colleges aim to have final decisions to everyone who applied before April 1. But what if your student’s “final” decision isn’t so final? What does it mean to be on the waitlist?Why Do Colleges Have Waitlists? Can’t They Just Say Yes or No?With more students applying to multiple colleges, it’s become more difficult for schools to predict how many admitted students will actually enroll. Many students are accepted to several schools – but can only attend one. This means some students who’ve been admitted will ultimately decide not to attend the college.Enrollment targets are crucial for colleges – too many students can lead to overcrowded dorms and classrooms, while not enough students can result in funding shortages. If a college realizes they may fall short of their enrollment target, they may turn to their waitlist to fill the gap.So, Your Student Is on the Waitlist. What Should You Do?Once your student is waitlisted, they have two main options:

1. “No, thanks!” – Even though the college has offered a spot on their waitlist, your student is not obligated to stay on it. If this college isn’t their first choice, it’s okay to let the school know they’ll be withdrawing from the waitlist.
2. “Yes, I’m willing to wait.” – If your student believes this could be the right school for them, they can confirm their interest in staying on the waitlist. They should follow the instructions in the decision to confirm their intent. It’s also a great idea for your student to send a personal email to the admissions office, expressing their continued interest in the school. If they would attend if admitted, they should mention it (only if it’s true!). Your student can also ask if submitting additional materials, like new test scores or senior year grades, could improve their chances of being admitted from the waitlist.

Encourage Your Student to Take Other Offers SeriouslyWhile waiting, it’s important that your student seriously considers all of the admission offers they’ve received. Encourage them to schedule visits, compare financial aid packages, and have discussions with you, their counselor, and other family members. Remember, your student must confirm their enrollment with a college by May 1 (National Candidates Reply Date). Most schools won’t make decisions about their waitlist until after May 1.In addition, be aware that only a small number of students are admitted from the waitlist (sometimes none at all). Your student will need to confirm enrollment with one of the colleges that has admitted them, even if they stay on a waitlist elsewhere. It can be hard to hear that your student has been waitlisted, especially by a school they may have considered their top choice, but try to focus on the positives. This could also be an opportunity to get excited about a school that truly wants your student (and has likely offered great financial aid to show it). Many colleges can be a great fit with the right mindset.Best of luck as your family navigates the next steps in the college admissions process!Weil College Advising, LLC