If you’re a high school senior, you may have been embroiled in the college application process for months. During that time, there’s probably been one school that has stood out to you. Perhaps it’s a top-tier institution you consider your first choice. Some people fall in love with a school during their senior year; others have dreamed of attending one college or university all their life. No matter which is the case, it won’t make things any easier if you open the school’s envelope this spring and see the word “waitlisted.”
While it’s better than getting flat-out rejected, being put on the waitlist for your dream school is still a tough break that can result in a flood of emotions. At first, it can feel like doomsday, but there are ways to navigate the situation. Before you get ahead of yourself, stop and ask: What does this truly mean?
Being waitlisted is not the same thing as being rejected. To get waitlisted means that you had a good application, but you weren’t accepted for some reason. There’s no way to know for certain, but oftentimes, it happens because the college is trying to balance the attributes of its freshman class. That means there’s a chance you could be reconsidered if several students of a similar profile do not accept their offers, so be prepared. If you choose to pursue a school that waitlisted you, here are the steps you should take.
1. Accept Your Spot on the Waitlist
Provided you’re prepared to go the distance for your dream school, you’ll first need to accept your spot on its waitlist. You should do this in the manner the school directs, whether that’s by email, filling out the correct form on the admissions portal, or other means. A prompt response in the affirmative will signal to the school that you’re still eager to attend.
Not that this means you have to put all your eggs in your dream school’s basket. If you’ve been working with a college admissions consultant to get this far, they can help you formulate a backup plan. They’ll likely advise you to put down a deposit at your favorite among the schools that did accept you, in case your waitlist hopes are dashed. You’ll have to forfeit that deposit if you eventually make your dream school’s cut, but that’s arguably a small price to pay for achieving your goal.
2. Identify Weaknesses in Your Application
While policies vary between schools, some institutions will allow you to submit supplemental materials to bolster your case. If your first-choice school does, it’s time to ask yourself a tough question: What did your application lack so you landed on the waitlist in the first place? While you may never have the real answer to this question, it’s important to understand that every application has weaknesses. It’s not fun to revisit your application and face all of the “Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve” thoughts, but it’s necessary.
Were your recommendation letters too generic, or did your essay come off as stiff? Maybe you didn’t convey the full extent of your volunteer activities. You can attempt to identify your application’s weaknesses on your own, or you could consult your parents, your guidance counselor, or your admissions consultant. Take what you learn and use that information to start building out a portfolio of supplemental materials.
3. Start Gathering Supplemental Materials
What did you learn by revisiting your original application? Maybe you feel like your grades or test scores could have been better. If this is the case, make sure you’re working hard in your final spring semester. You can even retake standardized tests if needed and submit your new scores and your spring semester grades to the admissions committee to show that you finished strong.
One note of caution. Before submitting supplemental materials, whether an updated transcript, additional recommendation letters, or what have you, make absolutely sure the school wants to receive them. Many schools will happily consider such submissions, but others actively do not want them. If you send these materials anyway, you’ll be harming your chance of getting off the waitlist more than helping it. Provided these application boosters are welcome, your admissions consultant can help you assemble the strongest portfolio of such materials to improve your chances.
4. Write a Waitlist Letter
If allowed, make sure to write a thoughtfully crafted waitlist letter to send to your dream school. The purpose of a waitlist letter, sometimes called a “letter of continued interest,” is twofold. One, it communicates that you remain interested in attending the school despite being on the waitlist. Two, it allows you to highlight recent accomplishments that your initial application may not have shown.
Start by thanking the admissions committee for considering you. Next, tell them about any recent accomplishments. This could include new test scores, an improved GPA, notable awards, volunteer work, or interesting/relevant extracurricular achievements. Finish the letter by explaining what you admire about the school and why it’s your top choice. Ultimately, a waitlist letter should make your application stand out and up your odds of being reconsidered.
It’s Going to Be All Right
Initially, getting waitlisted at your dream school can feel worse than a rejection at any other college. But it’s important to remember that everything will be OK, one way or another. Getting waitlisted is just a bump in the road, one of many that you will likely face in the coming years.
Perhaps you’ll make it off the waitlist, and your experience will be one of perseverance rewarded. Maybe you won’t, and you’ll learn that you’re more resilient than you thought. Life is filled with ups and downs. Keep your head up, and remember — things have a way of working out in the end.
