Why did I get waitlisted law school?
Asked by: Allie Kertzmann | Last update: October 5, 2023Score: 4.8/5 (62 votes)
With the competitive nature of law school applications, being on the waitlist indicates your application was strong and the school is still interested in you.
Why did I get waitlisted for 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 it common to get waitlisted for law school?
However, you should try your hardest to not obsess over being on a waitlist, as this, combined with constantly contacting the admissions office, will likely have a negative effect on your admissions chances. Many law school applicants are placed on a waitlist, so take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
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.
Is waitlisted better than rejected law school?
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.
The Law School Waitlist: What It Means & How to Get Admitted
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 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.
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.
How many law students drop out?
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), the attrition rate for first-year law students was 17.3% during the 2019-2020 academic year. However, this is significantly lower than the previous ten years, where the average attrition rate was 22.2%.
Can you defer a waitlist offer law school?
Students who are granted a deferral request will typically be allowed to defer for only one year; very few schools allow longer deferments. Students who are accepted off of a waitlist typically do not have the option to request a deferment.
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.
What is the average age of law school acceptance?
The average age of law students is 25 or younger. Only 20% of law students are 30 or older. While only a small percentage of law students are above the age of 40, there have been several successful older graduates.
Do waitlisted students get rejection letters?
That said, only about 7% of waitlisted students at highly selective schools got in. Some colleges rank waitlisted applicants. Most universities send out acceptance or rejection letters to waitlisted students after May 1, or National College Decision Day.
Why are so many students getting waitlisted?
Schools use waitlists to ensure that they can remain selective while still knowing that they will be able to fill their freshman class, even if yield drops a bit. If fewer students enroll than were anticipated, the school can turn to the waitlist to fill the gaps.
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?
Do law schools reject quickly?
Generally, admissions offices start reviewing applications around October and aim to make decisions within six weeks. So the earliest you may hear back is likely mid-November. However, law school decisions often take an agonizingly long time.
Does it look bad to reapply to law school?
It will not count against you to you reapply to a law school that previously rejected or deferred you, as long as your application shows positive changes, additions, and growth. This can be in the form of additional course work and improved grades or continuous employment or internship experience.
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 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.
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.
What to do if your law school application is on hold?
So don't freak out if you receive a letter that your JD application is on hold. Think about what's happened since you applied--if anything--that could help the admissions office make their decision. Let the school know you're still interested and that you will wait however long it takes for them to make a decision.
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.
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.
Do grades matter for waitlist?
Deferred and Waitlisted Students
Colleges and universities look for consistency or improvement when you're in this position, so don't slack. If you had a significantly lighter course load or let your grades slip, it's unlikely that will impact a school's decision to admit you.