What are the odds of getting accepted on the waitlist?

What Are My Chances of Getting Off the Waitlist? According to recent data from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, colleges on average admit 20% of students off the waitlist. At the most selective institutions, that figure was 7%.

How likely is it to get accepted after being waitlisted?

How likely is it to get accepted from the waitlist? Colleges admit about 20% of students who choose to remain on waitlists, according to a 2019 report by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Keep in mind that these numbers will vary based on the college waitlisting you.

Are my chances good when on a waitlist?

While many colleges will waitlist hundreds or even thousands of students, not all of those students will accept a spot on the waitlist, making the pool and the chances of getting in slightly better in some cases. According to NACAC, 20% of all students who chose to remain on waitlists were ultimately admitted.

Is a waitlist a soft rejection?

The meaning of waitlisted is pretty simple: you haven't been offered acceptance, nor have you been rejected. You are currently being held on a waitlist and might eventually be accepted if a spot opens up. Schools use the waiting list to deal with the uncertainty of the admissions process.

How can I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?

How to Get Off the Waitlist in 2023. Historical Odds, College Admissions Tips

How do they decide who gets off the waitlist?

If you rank higher, you'll have a greater chance of getting off the waitlist. But some colleges may neither rank waitlisted students nor accept them by priority. Individual colleges may take a more holistic approach. They may make their decision based on factors such as which majors they want represented.

What not to do when waitlisted?

Don't let them think you've got sour grapes. Don't fill out the card stating that you wish to remain on the waitlist and then do nothing else. You need to submit a powerful Letter of Continued Interest as soon as possible.

Is getting off the waitlist random?

Sometimes colleges never take anyone from their waitlists, and at other times, when they do take applicants, it seems random. It's actually not completely random, and you do have some power here. But, just as with any admissions decision, there are no guarantees.

How long should a waitlist letter be?

A Waitlist Appeal Letter should be between 500-650 words (the length of a Personal Statement) and include the following: Specific after specific of how a student is going to contribute their singular hook to an institution through the school's programs, institutes, activities, culture, traditions, etc.

What does waitlisted 0 mean?

The result produces a Registration Add Error: Example: “Closed - -0 Waitlisted” (meaning that the course is full, and there are no students on the waitlist) or “Open – Reserved for Wait List” (meaning that there is an open seat but it is reserved for a waitlisted student who is at the top of the wait list).

Is it better to be deferred or waitlisted?

In general, you can assume that your odds are better if you've been deferred rather than waitlisted. Deferred students are reconsidered during the regular decision round and should have about the same chance as other regular decision applicants.

Why am I getting waitlisted everywhere?

It could be a combination of factors, such as the increased competition and the fact that colleges sometimes waitlist students who might not be a perfect fit for their expected class composition. Waitlists can help colleges achieve their desired class "balance" in terms of demographics, talents, and other attributes.

Is it better to be waitlisted or rejected?

Remember that if you have been waitlisted or deferred, it does not mean you have been rejected admission. It's as if you have been asked to stay in the waiting room a little longer, pending an ultimate decision. As with any waiting period, use the time wisely.

Can you reject a waitlist acceptance?

You can: Decline a position on the waitlist. If you got into a school you like more, you should decline the invitation to be placed on a waitlist for another school. It's rude and inconvenient for other students to stay on a waitlist for a college you don't plan to attend if you get accepted.

What do you say in a waitlist letter?

Should I show up to a waitlisted class?

You should attend the classes that you take. The professor won't wait for the add/drop deadline to start teaching; if you wait that long to start learning, you're going to fall behind. Attend as if you are in the class. Usually the drop/add period is only the first week, so you aren't losing much in going.

Should you email after being waitlisted?

Absent any instructions, you should send a short LOCI as soon as you get waitlisted. This can be as simple as “Thank you for your consideration.

Can you appeal a college waitlist decision?

To appeal a waitlist decision, you can start by contacting the Admissions Office of the university or college where you applied.

How many people get off Harvard waitlist?

Due to the competitive nature of Harvard, and the published numbers from similar schools, Harvard's waitlist is roughly 1000 to 2000 people. For the 2026 class, we know that Harvard accepted 36 students from the waitlist.

Do waitlist decisions come in waves?

We did see a wave of applicants get accepted off waitlists in both 2020 and 2021 and even in 2022, but that was a new trend. Usually, I say think of it as a gentle rejection — and I still do for the most part.

What happens if you get off a waitlist after May 1?

If you get off the waitlist at another school and accept their offer (this is typically after May 1^st), you call the original university that you submitted your statement of Intent to register and let them know that you do not plan to attend that university.

What happens if you don't commit by May 1?

Since the May 1st deadline is widely known, many colleges don't accept late decisions. Some universities may give an extension beyond this date, but don't bet on it. If you've missed the May 1st deadline, you need to contact the college admissions officers at your intended university's admissions office immediately.

How do I ask for waitlist status?

If that information is not publicly available, send an email to the general admissions email address requesting your advisor's contact information. Then, reach out to your admissions officer via email to ask questions about your waitlisted status.

How does the college waitlist work?

Waitlists are comprised of applicants who are just as qualified as admitted candidates, but there just weren't enough spots in the freshman class. Once a university can better gauge its enrollment numbers, the school can begin to offer vacant spots to candidates from the waitlist.

Is a waitlist an acceptance?

If you're put on a waitlist, it's not quite an acceptance, but the college is telling you that it will consider admitting you if there's still space to fill in the incoming freshman class. A waitlist means schools can ensure that they have a full freshman class.