What Does Waitlisted Mean for College? And What You Can Do about It

Key takeaways

Being waitlisted for college means you meet the school’s admissions requirements, but the school cannot yet extend you an offer.

• Among Ivy League and other highly ranked schools, waitlist acceptance rates vary between 0 percent and nearly 25 percent [1].

• The size of the incoming class and the number of applicants meeting certain demographics can influence your odds of gaining acceptance.

• You can advocate for yourself to gain acceptance by sending additional letters of recommendation and continually enhancing your academic portfolio.

Learn more about being waitlisted for college and the steps you can take after receiving this decision.

What does waitlisted mean for college? 

Being waitlisted means you met a college's requirements for admissions, but it can't currently offer you a spot in its incoming class. This is usually due to the number of students who applied compared to the number of spots available. With the increasing number of students applying to college, landing on a waitlist is a very likely possibility for any applicant. When this happens, you must decide whether to accept the spot on the waitlist or attend another school. If another accepted student decides not to attend that school, it opens up a spot for the next person on the waitlist. 

Deferred vs. waitlisted

The words "waitlisted" and "deferral" are two concepts related to the college application process. Finding yourself on a waitlist means you met the college's admissions requirements, but it doesn't currently have a spot for you in the incoming class. When you receive a deferral, it usually means you applied for an early decision, and the admissions committee hasn't yet decided whether to admit you. This could mean that the committee needs more time or that they want to give you more time to improve or maintain your grades and test scores. The committee will defer your application and decide on a later date. If you receive a deferral, you can still find yourself waitlisted if accepted, but if you're waitlisted, you have already been accepted and therefore won't receive a deferral. 

Odds of getting into a school after it waitlists you 

Earning a spot on a waitlist typically means you're a competitive candidate for that school, and you still have a chance of earning a spot in the class; however, actual statistics for admittance rate after waitlisting vary by school. Factors like the size of the incoming freshman class or the class you're transferring into, the number of applicants that meet certain desirable demographics, and how well you've demonstrated a strong interest in attending the school can impact your chances. 

Forbes looked at data from several prestigious universities in the United States to see what percentage of students on the waitlist were eventually accepted to the schools. Averages vary significantly by school. For example, Princeton has a 0 percent average waitlist acceptance rate, while the University of California, Berkeley, has a 24.7 percent average waitlist acceptance rate [1]. 

US News and World Report analyzed data to find the top 20 schools with the highest waitlist acceptance rate for the Fall 2023 admissions cycle. The highest acceptance rate was at Michigan State University, with 97 percent of waitlisted applicants being admitted [2]. They were followed closely by the University of California, Santa Cruz, and Stony Brook University—SUNY (NY), which both admitted 88 percent of waitlisted applicants [2]. 

When do waitlist decisions come out?

The timeline varies, but generally, you can expect to hear by June 30. The college or university will likely not let you know until they hear back from admission offers, which are typically due by May 1. If you are offered a spot, it’s a good idea to act fast, especially if it’s your top-choice school. 

Read more: How to Get a Bachelor’s Degree

Steps to take after you're waitlisted for college

Now that you've been waitlisted, it’s helpful to understand that this isn't necessarily negative. You can still potentially attend your dream school and take some steps that may increase the potential of admittance. 

Accept your spot on the list.

Once a school offers you a spot on its waitlist, determine if you want to accept it. If this is the college you want to attend, go ahead and accept the spot. If you'd be just as happy at another school that already accepted you, consider being courteous and rejecting the waitlist spot. This usually frees up the opportunity for another student. If you're having trouble making the decision, think about your needs. For example, most waitlisted students won't find out if they're accepted until after May 1, and that decision could come just before the fall semester starts. The late acceptance date can prevent you from getting financial aid if you need it. Determine if that is a realistic timeline for you.

Advocate for yourself.

Once you've accepted your spot on the waitlist, it's time to become your own biggest advocate. Strive to convince the school that you want to attend by writing a letter to the admissions committee explaining why that school is your top choice. Assure the committee that you plan to attend if admitted. Sending your letter via email is usually a good option. You can also talk to an admissions counselor to better understand what the school wants from you and how you can best convey your interest. 

Have a backup school.

While you still have a chance of attending your top school, it's not a guarantee. Unless you plan on taking a gap year, choosing a backup school is important. To do this, choose a school that has accepted you and put down a deposit by the deadline to show that you plan to attend that school in the fall. Remember that you will not likely receive that deposit back if you do earn a spot at your first-choice school. 

Continue improving your academic portfolio.

Some schools accept additional academic materials after you've submitted your application, especially if you're still attending high school. If your high school transcript was incomplete when you originally applied, submit a completed one when you graduate. Consider retaking the ACT or SAT to see if you can improve your scores. If you only took one of them, take the other one. 

Send supplemental materials.

In addition to new academic materials, consider sending in any other accolades you may have. Obtain letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, or supervisors for volunteer work. If you won an award for academics, talent, or contributions to your community, submit that information as well. If you find out that your school will not accept additional materials, mention these accomplishments when writing a letter expressing your interest. 

Stay on top of communication.

Stay in communication with the school. If a school representative calls or emails you, respond in a timely manner. The school may request additional information or materials; you'll want to send them in as soon as possible. If the school offers you a spot in the class, respond promptly to the offer. Many schools expect to hear from you within a few days, if not sooner. Remember to keep communication brief and respectful.

Focus on your long-term goals. 

Continue to foster your long-term goals while you wait to hear about your waitlist status. Take courses that challenge you. Study and strive to earn good grades. Stay involved in your community and extracurricular activities. After your freshman or sophomore year, you can reapply to your top school and try again with a fresh perspective if you decide you want to. 

Discover free resources as you begin your college journey 

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• Explore your options: What Should You Earn: A Certificate or Degree? 

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• Watch on YouTube: What Should I Major In?

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