Kaplan's College Edge

Although many high school seniors begin May by investing in college sweatshirts and window decals, some seniors enter May and face collegiate limbo, analyzing waitlist offers and taking many deep breaths. While the college waitlist may appear to be the product of sadistic admissions officers, it is important to remember that the waitlist has one redeeming feature: It is not a denial. If a college has offered you a place on the waitlist, it indicates that the college believes that you are capable of succeeding at the institution.


When responding to being waitlisted, there are several steps that will allow you to evaluate your options and to increase the chances of receiving an offer of admission from the college. You and your parents should begin by assessing if the institution is really the one for you, academically, socially, financially, and geographically. If you decide that the school is definitely your dream school, then:

Write a letter accepting the waitlist offer and indicating your strong interest in attending the school. Remember�you should do this, not your parents!
Send any new and relevant information to the college admissions office: mid-term grades, honors, awards, memberships, or increased test scores.
If possible, schedule a personal interview with an admissions staff member to communicate your sincere interest in the college.
Maintain regular (but not pesky) communication with the admissions officer who represents your geographic region. Indicate your continued interest in joining the freshman class.
Consider alternate paths to gain admission to the college, including summer programs, spring admission, and transferring to the college.
Maintain strong grades in the spring—no senioritis allowed!
Know your numbers: Ask colleges how many students have historically been placed on the waitlist and how many waitlisted students have been offered admission each year.
Make contingency plans so you have a school to attend in the fall if you are not offered admission as a waitlist candidate.
Ask the admissions office what, if anything, can be done to strengthen your application and to increase your chance of being offered admission at the college.
While headlines abound each year with stories of students who used creative approaches to gain a college's attention (and an acceptance), use this tactic at your own risk—it may work, but it may also backfire!

Although navigating the waitlist process can be frustrating, have faith that you will find the ideal school. Remember that sometimes when one door closes, another one opens wide.

Kathy serves on the Kaplan Pre-College Admissions Consulting team, which advises families on school selection, essay topics, and the general college application process. Learn more.