Waitlisted... Now What?

A college waitlist is a pool of applicants who meet admission criteria but are not initially offered a place in the incoming class. Instead, these students are placed on a waitlist to be considered for admission if space becomes available after the initial round of admissions decisions. Colleges use waitlists as a way to manage enrollment more flexibly and address uncertainty around how many admitted students will actually enroll. Since admissions offers are made before all students have committed, waitlists allow schools to fill any remaining spots that open up due to accepted students declining their offers, deferring enrollment, or transferring. This helps colleges maintain a balanced and full class size while also providing a second chance for qualified candidates who narrowly missed immediate acceptance.

In the 2023 class, College Kickstart sample of waitlist statistics from 138 private and public institutions paints the following picture:

• On average, 11 percent of students accepting a place on a waitlist were admitted

• 71 percent of the schools admitted 10 percent or less of the students accepting a place on the wait list last year

• 57 percent of the schools admitted 5 percent or less

• 24 percent admitted no one

College Kickstart Waitlist Admission Rates

Waitlist Trends by College Kickstart

Action Plan for Students on the Waitlist

• Respond promptly: Return the reply card or submit an electronic confirmation to stay on the waitlist. You may stay on multiple waitlists at once.

• Show continued interest: Email the dean of admissions or your regional admissions officer to reaffirm your enthusiasm. Share any new updates such as recent grades, awards, or achievements. If the school is your top choice, state this clearly and commit to enrolling if accepted—but only to one school.

• Ask for support: If possible, have your school counselor reach out to the admissions office to emphasize your interest and strengths.

• Add recommendations strategically: You may submit an additional recommendation from a teacher or mentor who knows you well. However, keep it reasonable—too many can appear excessive.

• Secure your backup: Choose one of the colleges that has admitted you and submit your enrollment deposit to ensure you have a place for the fall.

• Keep perspective: Understand that most students on waitlists—especially at highly selective colleges—do not ultimately get admitted. After taking these steps, shift your focus to the school you plan to attend. By the time a waitlist offer arrives, you may find yourself satisfied with the college you’ve already chosen.