What Should You Do If You Are Waitlisted By Your Favorite College

college admissions college applications college planning college waitlist waitlist strategy Mar 18, 2024

3 Key Takeaways

Understanding the Waitlist: It's essential to recognize the dynamics of the waitlist and the timeframe within which colleges make their decisions, typically between May and July. This knowledge is foundational in strategizing the next steps.
Strategic Actions While on the Waitlist: Committing to another school as a backup, crafting a compelling letter of continued interest, and updating the college on significant achievements since the initial application can significantly enhance one's chances of moving off the waitlist.
Patience and Persistence: While it's crucial to express continued interest and provide updates to your top-choice school, pestering admissions with frequent inquiries can be counterproductive. Strategic patience, paired with informed action, is key.

In the intricate dance of college admissions, finding oneself on the waitlist of a preferred institution can evoke a mélange of emotions—from hope to uncertainty. At Anja Education Consultants, we've navigated this terrain alongside countless students, turning moments of waiting into opportunities for action and eventual triumph. Herein lies our collective wisdom on transforming waitlist status into an acceptance letter, drawing from the insightful guidance of our Founder and CEO, Anjali Maazel.

What Does Being Waitlisted Mean?

The waitlist is neither a denial nor an acceptance; it's a liminal space where your application holds potential for admission. This typically occurs between May and July, with May 1st being a critical pivot point as students finalize their college choices, thereby influencing the movement on the waitlist. Understanding this timeline is crucial, as it frames our strategic approach and sets the stage for proactive measures.

Our Strategic Approach to the Waitlist

First and foremost, assess your commitment to the waitlisted school. Is it genuinely your top choice? If so, the path forward involves a blend of patience, strategic communication, and readiness to act. "Being on a waitlist means there's still a chance of being admitted," underscores Anjali, highlighting the importance of staying engaged with the process.

Commit to Another School

A pragmatic step in our waitlist strategy involves securing your spot at another institution before the common decision deadline of May 1st. This ensures you have a college to attend, should the waitlist not turn in your favor. "You will still have to commit to another school in case you are not offered a spot off the waitlist," advises Anjali, pointing to the practicalities of the situation.

Craft a Letter of Continued Interest

If the waitlisted college is indeed your top choice, communicating this effectively is paramount. A letter of continued interest should convey your unwavering commitment to attend if offered admission. However, it's not just about reiterating your desire to be part of their academic community; it's also an opportunity to update them on any achievements, accolades, or significant experiences since your initial application. "Let them know in the letter anything that can shed light on what you have accomplished," Anjali suggests, emphasizing the letter's dual purpose: reaffirmation and update.

Patience, Paired with Persistence

Navigating the waitlist requires a delicate balance. While it's essential to express your continued interest and provide updates, overstepping by pestering admissions daily can be detrimental. "Be patient and if they welcome it, express your interest and commitment to attend, as well as any updates," Anjali advises, highlighting the importance of tactful engagement.

Our Record Speaks Volumes

At Anja Education Consultants, our approach to college admissions—waitlist strategies included—has been honed over years of experience, guiding students to prestigious institutions like Yale and Stanford. Our unique strategy, inclusive of working with former admissions interviewers, underscores our commitment to turning potential into success.

A Final Note of Optimism

Being waitlisted is not the end of your college admission journey; it's a juncture requiring strategic action and resilience. Our team, led by the visionary Anjali Maazel, is dedicated to navigating this process with you, ensuring that every step taken is informed, strategic, and aimed at securing your place within the halls of your dream college.

Together, we turn waiting into a strategic advantage, ensuring that you're not just a name on a list, but a candidate prepared to seize opportunities and make the most of every possibility.

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Video Transcription

(Anjali Maazel): What should you do if you're waitlisted by your favorite college? First of all, ask yourself if this is truly your favorite one. Being on a waitlist means there's still a chance of being admitted somewhere between May and July. So refer to the website of the college to know exactly when they generally admit from the waitlist. Given that May 1st is a widespread deadline for students making their final choice, May can be a month that shows movement, but there may also be results later than that. If you're waitlisted and you are sure that this is your favorite school, you will still have to commit to another school in case you are not offered a spot off the waitlist into the freshman class. The only downside is that if you are admitted from the waitlist to your top school, you will lose the deposit you made to the other school. And generally, the deposit can be a few hundred dollars, so think through this carefully. Once again, refer to the instructions on the admissions portal of the website or college or contact admissions directly. Check the website. If the college allows it, you should submit a letter of continued interest similar to the one you would send if you are deferred. And you will also want to send an additional letter of recommendation if that's possible. But if you were deferred and then waitlisted by the same school, don't write the same thing in your waitlist letter that you did for the deferral letter. You're going to have to add new elements and update the college in a way that does not repeat what you've already said. The important thing is that you need to communicate that this school is your first choice and that if you are admitted off the wait list, you commit to attending. Additionally, let them know in the letter anything that can shed light on what you have accomplished since your deferral or since you submitted the application if you have not been deferred. What you should not do is pester admissions every day to find out if they have information about the waitlist. Be patient and if they welcome it, express your interest and commitment to attend, as well as any updates, and finally, be sure that you enroll in another college by their deadline, even if you lose the deposit.

Anjali Maazel

Founder and CEO of Anja Education Consultants

At Anja Education Consultants, we pride ourselves on the exceptional expertise of our Founder and CEO, Anjali Maazel. With over 15 years of experience as an alumna interviewer for Princeton University, our team, led by Anjali, brings a wealth of knowledge in college admissions. Our interdisciplinary approach, which melds arts, international education, and public relations, allows us to provide unparalleled guidance in college planning. The cornerstone of our success is the proprietary Talent Development 3D Process™, a unique strategy that has achieved a remarkable 100% success rate in securing admissions for our clients to at least one of their top three preferred schools. As a respected Ted Talk speaker and a sought-after authority in college admissions, we are frequently invited by high schools across the globe to share our insights and strategies, empowering students to reach their full potential in the competitive world of college admissions.

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