Navigating the College Waitlist: What to Do and How to Move Forward
If you’ve been waitlisted, don’t panic. There are clear, strategic steps you can take to improve your chances of admission while also moving forward with other college offers.
When it comes to college admissions, one of the most emotionally complex decisions you can receive is a spot on the waitlist. It’s not a rejection - but it’s not the “yes” you were hoping for either. If you’ve been waitlisted, don’t panic. There are clear, strategic steps you can take to improve your chances of admission while also moving forward with other college offers.
Here’s how to navigate the waitlist process with confidence and keep your college journey on track.
What to Do If You’ve Been Waitlisted
1. Accept Your Spot on the Waitlist
If the school is still a top choice, confirm your place on the waitlist - usually by submitting an online form or notifying the admissions office. Without this step, you won’t be considered if spots open.
2. Send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
Let the admissions team know you’re still excited about attending. Your LOCI should highlight any updates since you submitted your college application - such as awards, new leadership roles, or higher grades - and reiterate why this college is a great fit for you.
3. Stay Engaged with the College
Participate in virtual events, admitted student webinars, or campus tours. Reach out to your regional admissions rep with any meaningful updates or thoughtful questions. Showing continued interest can set you apart from others on the waitlist.
4. Keep Up Your Academic Performance
Admissions offices may ask for an updated transcript or review your senior-year grades before making a final decision. Stay focused in class and continue pursuing your extracurriculars with commitment.
5. Be Patient—But Stay Proactive
It’s okay to check in periodically with the admissions office but avoid over-communication. A well-timed update or inquiry is helpful; multiple emails each week is not.
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How to Proceed with Other College Offers
While you wait, it’s important to plan for the future by securing a guaranteed college admission option.
1. Choose and Commit to Another School
By May 1 (National Decision Day), submit a deposit to one of the colleges that has accepted you. This ensures you’ll have a spot in the fall regardless of the waitlist outcome.
2. Get Excited About Your Backup Plan
Start exploring your other college choice as if it’s your future home. Attend admitted student events, connect with current students, and dive into the academic programs and student life - it might just surprise you!
3. Understand Enrollment Deposit Policies
If you’re later admitted off the waitlist at your top-choice school, notify the school you committed to right away. Keep in mind that deposits are usually non-refundable, but that’s the cost of keeping your options open.
4. Manage Multiple Waitlists Carefully
It’s okay to remain on more than one waitlist, but you should only submit one enrollment deposit unless specifically allowed (like when you're admitted from another waitlist). Keep clear records and stay honest in all your communications with colleges.
Final Thoughts on Waitlists and College Admissions
Being placed on a waitlist is not the end of your college admissions story—it’s just a twist in the plot. Use it as an opportunity to demonstrate your continued interest, while actively engaging with the schools that have offered you a place.
Key Takeaways:
A waitlist offer is still a potential pathway to admission - respond thoughtfully and strategically.
Secure your future by committing to another college by the May 1 deadline.
Stay emotionally grounded - waitlist admissions are uncertain and vary year to year.
Regardless of the outcome, your future is bright, and the right college fit is about more than just one school.
Navigating college waitlists is a part of the broader college application journey. By staying informed, organized, and open-minded, you’ll position yourself for success - no matter where you land.
Gail Nichols, Independent College Consultant for over 12 years. Helping students to find their college is my passion.
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