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As your college acceptance letters roll in, you’re probably wondering, “Am I accepted or rejected?” But there’s always that middle ground that could happen, too – waitlisted. So what should you do if you’re waitlisted for a class? And what shouldn’t you do? We’ll answer those two questions below.
What Are College Waitlists?
When a student applies to a college, they may receive an acceptance letter, rejection letter, or a waitlist letter. A waitlist is for students who haven’t been accepted or rejected yet but are rather still waiting for the school to make a decision.
Colleges can only accept so many students. However, they are not always entirely sure how many applicants will enroll the following fall. A waitlist offer lets a student know that if spots open up, they could be accepted.
What you SHOULD NOT Do if You’re Waitlisted
The number one thing you shouldn’t do if you’re waitlisted by a college: Don’t create a spectacle. Students have been known to set up tents outside the admission office, argue the point, or have a family member write letters and make calls because they have “connections.”
These and more have been done, and they sincerely will not help your chances of getting an acceptance letter in the end. It’s likely to do more harm than good. Colleges want students who are mature and trying to get around the waitlist like the examples above will not go in your favor.
What Should You Do if You’re Waitlisted by a College?
However, there are plenty of things you can do if you’re waitlisted by a college, especially if this is your dream college. Here are some things you should do in the meantime while you await their final answer.
1. Take a Deep Breath
Not knowing in some cases can be more frustrating than the “no.” After all, you worked hard for this and want your future clear! It’s completely understandable. That’s why you should take a few moments (or days) to clear your head and think about what this means for you and your education.
2. Review Your Options
Even if this college is your dream school, you likely received acceptance letters from other colleges. A decision generally has to be made by May 1st, National Decision Day, for these schools. Yet waitlisted students usually won’t hear back from the school until after this deadline. So what should you do?
You have a few different options to consider, all with their pros and cons. You can:
- Wait until after May 1st to make a decision. If you aren’t accepted off of the waitlist, however, you likely missed out on opportunities at other colleges you applied to. Community college accepts students after May 1st
- Wait until the last minute (May 1st) to make a decision. Some students may receive answers from the school before the May 1st deadline, so it can pay off the wait as long as possible.
- Submit a deposit to another college and wait to hear back from the waitlist. Students are welcome to submit deposits to colleges and remain on a waitlist for another school. However, deposits are usually not refundable. If you are accepted off the waitlist, you will have to notify your backup college that you will not be attending.
- Think about trying to transfer at a later year. You can talk to the admissions department about your options for reapplying as a transfer student.
3. Accept (or Decline) The Spot on the Waitlist
Waitlisted students can accept or reject the offer presented by the college. However, don’t take up a spot on the list if you’re not planning on attending the school anymore. You’d be taking the spot away from another student who may be more interested.
4. Politely Contact the Admissions Department
Waitlisted students are more than welcome to contact the admissions department to plead their case – but politely. Email and letters can demonstrate your interest in the school and reiterate why you want to attend. This could be the extra bump you need to get that acceptance letter. Remember though: these letters should always be written by you, not your parents or guardians.
5. Keep Focusing on High School
Colleges can and have revoked acceptance letters from students who got senioritis during high school. Your college will receive your senior year transcripts. So if you’re waitlisted, it’s extra important to keep on top of your classes, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities even in the final months of your year.
Getting waitlisted to a college can put you in a bit of limbo. However, reviewing your options, keeping on top of your academics, and managing your expectations can go far during these nail-biting months. It always helps to have a backup plan no matter what happens, too.
Whether you’ve been accepted or waitlisted, it’s time to start thinking about affording college. Reviewing your options when it comes to student loans can help you save plenty of cash in the coming years. Use our Student Loan finder to get started.
