Why did I get waitlisted instead of accepted?
Asked by: Geovany Abbott | Last update: November 16, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (64 votes)
Here are the most common reasons applicants are placed on a waitlist: Too few spaces are available. There might have been too many students with your particular set of credentials or academic interests. The admitted applicants were just slightly better than you in some arbitrary way or applied earlier.
Why was I waitlisted and not accepted?
Waitlisted means your credentials are good enough to be seriously considered for admission. If too many accepted students decline the acceptance and the university will need to add students to fill the target size freshman class then the university will pick students from the waitlist.
Is a waitlist basically a 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 likely is it to get accepted after being waitlisted?
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.
Why did I get put on the waitlist?
Waitlisting is done in anticipation of many accepted applicants turning them down, in order to go to a higher-ranked / more prestigious school, and/or to accept a better financial package, elsewhere. After all, the typical high school senior these days applies to anywhere from 5 - 15 schools.
What to Do if You Are Waitlisted
Does a waitlist count as an acceptance?
Getting on a waitlist is not a rejection — waitlisted students still have a shot at earning admission to the school.
How do you respond to being waitlisted?
Express your interest
Use this opportunity to stand out from the crowd; write a letter to the admissions office and discuss recent academic achievements and noteworthy qualities that may sway the admission decision in your favor.
How can I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist?
- MOST IMPORTANT! Write the school a short essay to demonstrate your continued interest! ...
- Look for other ways to show continued interest in the school. ...
- Make sure to accept your spot on the waitlist. ...
- Submit a deposit to another school. ...
- Only focus on things that are in your control. ...
- Be ready to decide if you do get accepted.
How long do waitlist decisions take?
Waitlist acceptances can occur gradually from May through July and sometimes even into August, right before the school year begins. However, it's important to note that not all students on the waitlist will be admitted, and some colleges may admit only a few or none at all in certain years.
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.
Do I have to go if I get accepted off the waitlist?
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.
Is being waitlisted a good or bad thing?
But the truth is that many students get waitlisted, not because they are not good enough, but because the school simply does not have enough room. Getting waitlisted is an accomplishment, so instead of beating yourself up about it, be proud you get a second chance to get into what could be your future school.
Do rejections come before acceptances?
There isn't a standard order in which acceptance or rejection emails are sent out across all colleges. The timing of decision emails depends on the specific college and their admissions process.
How many students get accepted from 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%.
Can I appeal a waitlist rejection?
Some campuses may allow students who are denied admission from the waitlist to appeal their decision once that decision has been made. careful review. Therefore, if a student chooses to submit an appeal, they must provide new and compelling information for further consideration.
How do colleges decide who gets off the waitlist?
Get the 411
Once a university can better gauge its enrollment numbers, the school can begin to offer vacant spots to candidates from the waitlist. The waitlist isn't ranked; instead, admissions officers review the school's institutional needs and decide whom to admit from the waitlist based on those factors.
Does waitlisted mean declined?
When a college waitlists a student, it means that they have neither been accepted nor rejected outright. If anything, it means that the admissions officers found great attributes in your application but had already accepted their limit for the following school year.
What are the odds of getting accepted on the waitlist?
On average, 20% of students who remained on a waitlist are admitted, but it is only 7% at highly selective universities. And most schools make their decisions by August 1 (often well before).
Does waitlist guarantee a spot?
Waitlisting does not guarantee enrollment; Waitlisting does not guarantee more seats will open in a class; Error messages do not indicate that space is being held open in a class or that enrolment is guaranteed.
How does a waitlist control work?
In 2 arm wait-list control trials, individuals randomized to the treatment group receive immediate treatment whereas individuals randomized to the control group wait a fixed amount of time before intervention is initiated.
How many people does Brown waitlist?
Please navigate to your Brown Applicant Portal , where you will see the option to either commit to or withdraw from the waitlist. How many students are on the waitlist? We expect 1,000-1,500 students to accept our waitlist invitation.
Can you remove yourself from a college waitlist?
If you are accepted elsewhere, it will be prudent to immediately accept the position. You are usually given a grace period in which to accept or decline the position. But yes, removing yourself from the waitlist is required and allows another student to take your place.
Why do I keep getting waitlisted?
However, please remember that being waitlisted means that the college sees potential in your application and still considers you a competitive applicant. It's important to realize that college admissions have become increasingly competitive.
Should you email after being waitlisted?
Writing a letter of continued interest does more than tell the school to keep you on the waitlist. It can also highlight your recent accomplishments. And the letter might even improve your chances of getting off the waitlist.
What to do if accepted off waitlist?
There is no guarantee of getting into a college off of a waitlist, so while you wait for good news, you will need to enroll at another college. This requires the following steps: Formally accept an offer of admission from a school that accepted you. Put down a deposit with that school.