After months of anticipation, finding out that you've been waitlisted by a college can be disheartening. Here's advice from members of the Higher Education Consultant Association on how to deal with being waitlisted and improve your chances of getting off the waitlist:
It's frustrating for students to receive a letter from a college telling them that they have been waitlisted. The problem is that colleges are receiving more applications for the same number of seats in the freshman class. It's important for the student to contact the admissions office and emphasize their interest in going to that particular college. Remember, colleges like to know that a student will accept if offered admission. Also, don't forget you can get off the waitlist simply by deciding you'd rather go to another college that has already admitted you and might be more welcoming. That might be the best choice of all! Rachelle Wolosoff, College Search Expert LLC, Rockville Centre, New York
Many schools have formal appeal processes. Check their website to see if a process or form exists. Even if there is no formal process, you should still make sure to update the admissions office on any new achievements or honors, and send your most recent transcript, as well as one or two additional letters of recommendation that address why you are a good fit for the college. Keri Saltzman Bahar, KSB College Consulting, Minnetonka, Minnesota
If you're been waitlisted, do not roll over and play dead. Instead, get aggressive and "work the wait list" by hitting the admissions committee with everything you've got. As quickly as possible, fire off a letter to the admissions office indicating how much you want to attend. If the school is your first choice, then say it. Send an update about any new achievements or honors. If possible, try to set up an interview on campus. Even more important, keep your name on the waitlist until the very end of summer. As Yogi Berra said, "It ain't over till it's over." Pam Proctor, College Application Consultants, Inc., Vero Beach, Florida
Speaking as a former dean of admissions, I know first-hand that contacting the head of the office is generally not the most effective step to take when you're waitlisted. Rather, find out who the "point person" for your application is, because that person will be your advocate as spots from the waitlist become available. You can often determine your contact person from the admissions web site if admissions officers have assigned geographic recruitment territories. Otherwise, call the office and ask them whom you should contact, and get their email address. Try to develop a relationship with your admission officer by getting in touch about every two weeks to reaffirm your interest in enrolling and to add new information if anything noteworthy has occurred. Bill Shain, William M. Shain Consulting, Falmouth, Maine
Did you request financial aid but now don't need any? Be sure to let the school know as funds may be in short supply at this point and your ability to pay could make a difference. Gael Casner, College Find, Greenbrae, California
Let the college know in a short letter why you are a good match for the college. Reveal how you plan to contribute to the college when you get there. Be specific. For instance, discuss research, academic programs, clubs, community service and campus jobs in which you hope to engage and the value you will offer. If you do get off a waitlist and decide to attend that college, be considerate and immediately advise the college you originally committed to that you will no longer be attending so they can offer your spot to another student. Maureen McQuaid, College Focus LLC, Burlingame, California
Many students hear "wait list" and all they really hear is "wait." This can be a big mistake. Write a letter to the college letting them know that you are still interested, and your level of interest. Beyond that, send another postcard in mid-May, letting the college know of your continued interest and hope of being admitted. You need to be very proactive. The goal is to be in contact, but to be upbeat and unobtrusive. You want to be on their minds in a good way. Baillie Gerstein, Admission Accomplished, Los Angeles, California
Be bold and ask the college is there is anything you can do to improve your chances for getting in. It is not inappropriate to ask if there was a specific reason for the waitlist. It may be that a college would reconsider your application if you attend summer school or agree to a summer probationary period. If nothing else, you are proving to them that you are genuinely interested in their school and willing to do anything to get your foot in the door. Don't get your hopes up, but it can't hurt. Meanwhile, place a deposit on another school where you have been accepted and select a date when you will commit yourself mentally to another school and drop the waitlist college. Susie Watts, College Direction, Denver, Colorado
You can pursue more than one waitlist. Just be sure to carefully choose a college from among those that admitted you and send your intent to register form along with the required deposit to that college by May 1st. Remember, if you clear the waitlist and decide to enroll at a school that waitlisted you, you will forfeit the deposit you made at the first school. Some colleges will ask you to make a decision very quickly after they make an offer of admission from the waitlist. Depending on the college, though, the time may not be set in concrete. For instance, if you've never visited the college, you may be able to negotiate additional time to make a campus visit. Wendy B. Kahn, Kahn College Consulting, Highland Park, Illinois
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Photo credit: Carolee Gravina, Used with permission
