The Wait List: questions and answers
Should I ask to remain active on the wait list?
Only if you are seriously interested in attending that college. If you are, then you should indicate in writing or by returning the postcards many colleges provide for that purpose as soon as possible. If you definitely will attend if admitted, tell the college that.
When will I learn if I will be admitted from the wait list?
The very earliest you can expect to hear from colleges is late April, but usually not until after the first week of May. Most colleges will finalize the status of students by June 1. Occasionally colleges will extend to students the opportunity to remain on a wait list throughout the summer
Should I call the college?
No! Colleges will only ask you to indicate your position in writing. Until the first week or so of May, colleges rarely have any information that will be helpful to you as you try to calculate your chances.
What are my chances?
Until early May this is an impossible question for even the colleges to answer. Colleges must wait to hear from all of the students to whom they have extended an offer of admission. Those students have until May 1 to respond. Often times those responses, mailed on April 30, do not arrive until May 3 or 4. Colleges’ past records regarding their wait lists are not important. One year a college may take 50 students from its wait list, the next year it may not be able to take any. It will all depend on how many admitted students decide to enroll before May 1.
How many applicants usually end up on a wait list?
Wait lists vary from school to school. Remember, not everybody who is offered a position on a wait list will wait to be considered. The initial number placed on a wait list is usually reduced significantly.
How can I find out what my “rank” is on a wait list?
Colleges will not rank their wait list until after they have heard from both admitted candidates and wait list candidates (May 1). Most colleges will not inform you of your rank on the list.
What can I do to improve my chances?
If your grades since mid-year are good ones, sending them along to the colleges may help. If you have earned any honors, taken on responsibilities or in any other way distinguished yourself since you applied, don't hesitate to let the colleges know. Remember, even if you have completely turned things around, this will not make a difference if the college does not go to its wait list.
Should I try to set up another interview?
Colleges rarely permit second interviews, particularly before May 1. If you happen to be in the area, it doesn't hurt to stop by and express your continuing interest in the school but a major investment of time and money to visit a college where you have been placed on a wait list is probably not worth the effort. Consult with your counselor regarding this matter.
What should I do while I wait?
Assume you are not going to get in from the wait list. Statistics clearly indicate the chances are quite a bit less than 50/50. The most important thing for you to do at this time is to focus on the options you do have and make an informed, rational decision regarding those options. Should I make an enrollment deposit at my second choice college? YES! Unfortunately this fee is normally not refundable, but it is important for you to guarantee that you have a place in a college next year. Make your deposit before May 1.
What should I do if I have been placed on several wait lists?
There is nothing wrong with remaining on more than one wait list as long as each one of them is a school that you are more interested in than the options you currently have.
Only if you are seriously interested in attending that college. If you are, then you should indicate in writing or by returning the postcards many colleges provide for that purpose as soon as possible. If you definitely will attend if admitted, tell the college that.
When will I learn if I will be admitted from the wait list?
The very earliest you can expect to hear from colleges is late April, but usually not until after the first week of May. Most colleges will finalize the status of students by June 1. Occasionally colleges will extend to students the opportunity to remain on a wait list throughout the summer
Should I call the college?
No! Colleges will only ask you to indicate your position in writing. Until the first week or so of May, colleges rarely have any information that will be helpful to you as you try to calculate your chances.
What are my chances?
Until early May this is an impossible question for even the colleges to answer. Colleges must wait to hear from all of the students to whom they have extended an offer of admission. Those students have until May 1 to respond. Often times those responses, mailed on April 30, do not arrive until May 3 or 4. Colleges’ past records regarding their wait lists are not important. One year a college may take 50 students from its wait list, the next year it may not be able to take any. It will all depend on how many admitted students decide to enroll before May 1.
How many applicants usually end up on a wait list?
Wait lists vary from school to school. Remember, not everybody who is offered a position on a wait list will wait to be considered. The initial number placed on a wait list is usually reduced significantly.
How can I find out what my “rank” is on a wait list?
Colleges will not rank their wait list until after they have heard from both admitted candidates and wait list candidates (May 1). Most colleges will not inform you of your rank on the list.
What can I do to improve my chances?
If your grades since mid-year are good ones, sending them along to the colleges may help. If you have earned any honors, taken on responsibilities or in any other way distinguished yourself since you applied, don't hesitate to let the colleges know. Remember, even if you have completely turned things around, this will not make a difference if the college does not go to its wait list.
Should I try to set up another interview?
Colleges rarely permit second interviews, particularly before May 1. If you happen to be in the area, it doesn't hurt to stop by and express your continuing interest in the school but a major investment of time and money to visit a college where you have been placed on a wait list is probably not worth the effort. Consult with your counselor regarding this matter.
What should I do while I wait?
Assume you are not going to get in from the wait list. Statistics clearly indicate the chances are quite a bit less than 50/50. The most important thing for you to do at this time is to focus on the options you do have and make an informed, rational decision regarding those options. Should I make an enrollment deposit at my second choice college? YES! Unfortunately this fee is normally not refundable, but it is important for you to guarantee that you have a place in a college next year. Make your deposit before May 1.
What should I do if I have been placed on several wait lists?
There is nothing wrong with remaining on more than one wait list as long as each one of them is a school that you are more interested in than the options you currently have.
