Is waitlisted better than rejected law school?

Asked by: Miss Noemie Hegmann MD  |  Last update: July 22, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (55 votes)

Being waitlisted isn't an acceptance letter, but it's not a decline either. Law schools waitlist students they are interested in, but cannot yet offer a spot. It means they liked some other applicants better than you, but if those applicants choose a different school, you have a chance of getting accepted.

Is it good to be waitlisted at a law school?

Being on the waitlist means they still think your application is strong and you might be accepted at a later date. However, if you are starting law school with the next wave, then it is important to continue looking at other options in the event you are not accepted to your top choice.

Is waitlisted better than rejection?

Getting on a waitlist is not a rejection — waitlisted students still have a shot at earning admission to the school. College waitlist statistics from the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) show that 43% of postsecondary institutions used a waitlist during the 2018-19 school year.

How likely is it to get off a law school waitlist?

Realistically, your chances of getting of a law school waitlist this cycle are slim. There are simply so many people on the waitlists that your odds of being the one to get off are not high. Though if your stats are within the school's median numbers, you are more likely to get off the waitlist.

What percentage of waitlisted students get accepted?

As a rule of thumb, around 10% of students who are waitlisted at an elite universities will ultimately earn admission. This, of course, can vary from year to year. There are years when some colleges, like Dartmouth College for the Class of 2025, don't turn to their waitlists because they don't need to fill seats.

UCLA Law School Admissions Dean on What to Do If You're Waitlisted

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Is getting waitlisted impressive?

Getting waitlisted at a college certainly isn't a bad thing—your application was good enough to not get rejected! —but it's definitely an uncomfortable place to be. After all, when you're on the college waitlist, you don't know whether you'll be admitted or not, and that alone is anxiety-inducing.

What not to do when waitlisted?

Waitlisted students can accept or reject the offer presented by the college. However, don't take up a spot on the list if you're not planning on attending the school anymore. You'd be taking the spot away from another student who may be more interested.

What is the difference between waitlist and hold in law school?

Being waitlisted is an official application decision. Most times, waitlist decisions come later near or after deposit deadlines once the school has a better sense of how the incoming class is shaping up. Most times, however, you will receive a hold decision (admit/deny/waitlist) before the deposit deadlines.

Why is it taking so long to hear back from law schools?

For example, law schools don't want to accept too many applicants with the same background, interests or work experience. Typically, applicants will hear back within six weeks or so, although the most competitive law schools can take longer to reach a decision. READ: When to Expect a Law School Decision.

Is it hard to get hired out of law school?

Many law students and graduated law students struggle to find a job after law school. It is no secret that the legal job market is at an all-time low. Law students and new lawyers compete for the few jobs that have openings.

Is a waitlist a soft rejection?

If a student is waitlisted, it usually means that a school feels the student is a good fit, but the school is constrained by class sizes. Keep in mind, however, that some schools use waitlist offers as “soft rejections.” The waitlist offer is more of a “courtesy” and they have no intention of admitting you.

Do most people who get waitlisted get accepted?

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 basically a rejection?

Waitlists and deferrals are two different things, but they share some similarities. While neither is an outright rejection, they both mean you will have to wait longer to see if you will be admitted.

What law school is the hardest to get accepted?

The 12 Hardest Law Schools to Get Into
  1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. ...
  2. Stanford University. ...
  3. Harvard University. ...
  4. University of Pennsylvania. ...
  5. University of Virginia. ...
  6. Columbia University. ...
  7. University of Chicago. ...
  8. University of Southern California.

How many law school applicants get accepted?

Admission to law school is competitive. Of all people who apply to law school, about 55 to 60 percent are accepted at one or more schools. In other words, about 40 percent of all applicants to law school aren't able to go because they aren't admitted anywhere.

Do law schools defer acceptance?

Not every school allows deferrals, but the good news is that most law schools do. It's essential to keep in mind that schools don't have to accept your request. Don't assume you will receive a deferral because there is a chance that your college will deny your request.

When should I start hearing back from law schools?

Most law schools will start sending out decisions around 2 months after an application is submitted, but this time may be shorter or longer depending on the school, and the time of year you submitted the application.

What to do while waiting for law school decisions?

The following tasks can move your candidacy forward while you wait for decisions to arrive:
  1. Confirm your applications are received.
  2. Consider sending updates.
  3. Apply for financial aid.
  4. Prepare for interviews.
  5. Visit target law schools and attend information sessions.

What is the average LSAT score?

Data Summary. The average LSAT score for first-time takers was 151, according to scores tracked from 2006-2013. During this period, second-time test takers had the highest LSAT average score of about 152. The average national LSAT score for full-time, first-year JD enrollees for fall 2022 was about 159.

Is waitlist acceptance binding?

Keep in mind that college waitlist offers aren't binding. You won't be required to attend the college if they accept you from the waitlist.

How do you respond to a law school waitlist email?

This can be as simple as “Thank you for your consideration. I'm still very interested in your school, and I'm grateful for a place on the waitlist.” Don't use those exact words, though, or it will sound like you've copied them from the internet, which would be true. I see you just wrote “LOCI.” What's that?

What does it mean when a university puts you on a waitlist?

A college may put you on a waitlist. This can happen when you meet the admissions requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants it has room for. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place.

Why did I get waitlisted instead of accepted?

The admissions office might have been concerned about your commitment to enrolling at their college and placed you on a waiting list to determine how keen you are to be accepted. Your application may have flaws that make you a borderline candidate. Maybe your grades weren't strong enough.

How do you respond to being waitlisted?

Letter of Continued Interest Example #1

Dear Director of Admissions, Thank you for reviewing my application. City U is my top choice for college, and I would be thrilled to join the Class of 2026 in the fall if accepted off the waitlist. I would like to update my application with some recent accomplishments.

How do I get off the waitlist early?

Tips For Getting Accepted Off The Waitlist
  1. Decide if you still want to attend. The first thing you should do is consider how much you still want to study at the college. ...
  2. Keep in touch. Some schools recommend that you visit the campus. ...
  3. Keep your grades up. ...
  4. Write a letter reiterating your desire to attend the university.