What to Do If You’re Waitlisted
Steps to Boost Your Chances
Being waitlisted by a college can feel like a mix of hope and uncertainty. While it’s not an outright rejection, it’s also not the definitive “yes” students hope for. The good news? There are proactive steps students can take to boost their chances of moving off the waitlist and into the incoming class.
1. Understand How Waitlists Work.
A waitlist isn’t an ordered list where students move up from number 82 to number 24 to number 1. Here’s how it actually works:
Colleges sort applicants into different buckets (for instance, the engineers, the musicians, the future teachers, etc). The admissions team builds a class with multiple strengths and goes back to the buckets only when there are openings. They will select a student with a specific profile.
Waitlist movement varies by school and year. Some colleges admit a significant number of students from their waitlist, while others may admit only a handful—or none at all. Look up past data on the college’s waitlist admissions rates to set realistic expectations.
At College Solutions, we never recommend that waitlisted students count on a waitlist school. Make alternate plans and, if you’re admitted to your original-choice college later, you can always reevaluate!
2. Send a Letter of Continued Interest.
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is a great way to reiterate your enthusiasm for the school and update the admissions office on any new accomplishments.
What to Include:
Address the note to the person who signed your waitlist letter.
Express gratitude for being considered.
Note that the school remains your first choice and that you wish to continue being considered as an applicant.
Reiterate why the school is a great fit for you and that you feel you would make a positive impact on their campus.
Highlight any new achievements or updates since you submitted your application (e.g., improved grades, awards, or leadership roles).
Keep it concise and professional. Don’t show disappointment or frustration.
3. Respond to the Waitlist Offer Promptly.
Colleges often require students to formally accept or decline their place on the waitlist. Most schools will request you do so via a Waitlist Response Form, typically housed in your application portal.
Important: Sending a LOCI does NOT replace the Waitlist Response Form!
Tips:
Make sure to follow the instructions provided and meet any deadlines. A quick, positive response shows the school that you’re still interested.
Be sure to read the waitlist offer carefully—some schools may include additional steps or guidelines.
You may receive an opportunity to provide 3-4 paragraphs detailing any updates you have academically or within your extracurricular activities and to reiterate very specific reasons you remain interested in that college. Consider this an opportunity to demonstrate that you have done your research on the school, similar to the supplemental essay you wrote when you were applying.
4. Enlist Your Guidance Counselor for Support.
Ask your guidance counselor to write a note summarizing all the positive things that have occurred since they submitted the guidance office recommendation. Provide links to new accomplishments (articles written about you, research posters, coverage of events you helped organize, etc.).
5. Talk with Your College Solutions Counselor.
Brainstorm with College Solutions about additional people who could write recommendations for you.
6. Continue to Demonstrate Interest.
Contact the admission counselor assigned to you at the college every three weeks or so, via email. Your objective is to stay top-of-mind for the person who will make the recommendation to accept you.
Tips:
Have something positive to say each time you contact the school. A new achievement is best (for example, elected chair of your youth group, earned an academic award, etc.)
If nothing is new, mention something that happened at the college since you last spoke and why this connects to your interests – maybe how one of the teams won a big game or the school received a grant. Check the college website or google the college for ideas.
Always end each communication with the message that this is your first choice college and you want to attend.
Some Other Ideas:
Visit the campus (if feasible) or attend virtual events.
Follow the school on social media and engage with their content.
7. Strengthen Your Academic Profile.
Admissions decisions are often finalized after the spring semester, so the entire year’s performance is factored into the admissions decision. For waitlisted students, this can be the deal-maker or -breaker.
Tips:
Continue excelling in challenging courses, study hard for AP exams and finals, and have a great attitude in school.
If applicable, send updated transcripts showing strong academic performance.
8. Commit to Another School.
Our advice is that you should never count on a waitlist school. While it’s okay to hold out hope for a waitlist offer, you should also make a commitment to a school that definitely wants you and where you can be happy.
What to Do:
Secure your place at your top-choice school of those that have accepted you before the enrollment deadline (usually May 1).
Pay the enrollment deposit and start planning your future there.
A Note about the Deposit: If you receive an offer letter from a school that previously waitlisted you, you can forfeit the enrollment deposit from your initial choice and accept the new offer. Enrollment deposits typically range from $50 to $500 dollars and are generally non-refundable.
9. Stay Positive.
Being waitlisted is not a reflection of a student’s worth or potential. It’s often a matter of limited space in a highly competitive applicant pool. Try to focus on the opportunities ahead, whether they come from the waitlist or another school. Most students find they’re happy with their choice after they settle on a school, attend orientation, and start meeting people.
Final Thoughts
Navigating the waitlist process requires patience, persistence, and a proactive approach. By responding promptly, expressing continued interest, and keeping their academic performance strong, students can maximize their chances while maintaining a positive outlook on the future.