It’s spring, and admissions decisions are rolling in! For most seniors, this is an exciting and nerve-wracking time to sort through acceptances and rejections, not to mention what happens in one of the most vexing admissions situations: a spot on the waitlist.
If you’re no longer interested in a school that has put you on its waitlist, then there isn’t much of a dilemma— be kind and let the school know as soon as possible so others on the waitlist can be potentially offered a spot.
On the other hand, if you’ve been put on the waiting list at your top choice (or one of your top choices) this can be frustrating, and we empathize.
Overall, we encourage focusing on acceptances. The odds of getting off the waitlist are typically significantly lower than of being admitted for regular decision, and the number of students who are accepted from the waiting list varies wildly from one institution to another and from one year to the next. In good news (and yes, there is good news!): the waitlist can be a place where admissions officers take a fresh look at applicants, and there are several things that can be done to improve chances of an ultimate acceptance.
Here are a few quick tips on what to do if you’ve been waitlisted at your top-choice school:
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Read your waitlist letter carefully.
The college may indicate what additional information they will review on top of what has already been submitted, including letters of recommendation and your most recent grade reports, or they may say they have all the information they need.
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Send a first-choice letter also known as a letter of continued interest (LOCI) to the admissions committee.
This note doesn’t need to be long, and should both confirm interest in pursuing the waitlist and express continued interest in the school. Think of these letters as an opportunity to a) illustrate how and why the college is your top choice and b) provide additional information that might not have appeared in your original application. Note: Some colleges will ask applicants not to send additional information at all. Deferral and waitlist admissions policies vary by school and can be nuanced, so be sure to research what certain admission offices are looking for from their waitlisted applicants. For example, some schools might request a single paragraph when there are additional places to fill, while others ask students to complete a deferral or waitlist response form in their application portal. It’s important to understand what each admissions office wants.
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Provide the committee with NEW information about yourself in the letter if possible.
A quality first-choice letter might include any of the following updates:
- New extracurricular experience or award (e.g. a tournament win, an internship)
- Added caretaking responsibility (e.g. supporting an injured or sick household member)
- Recent personal projects or skills (e.g. attending language workshops, writing your own music)
- Unforeseen personal or family hardship
- Any activity that omitted from the original application that reveals an additional value, strength, or passion
A well-crafted letter of continued interest could be seen as an additional “why essay,” if you already completed one with your application, or as an original essay if you haven’t. Tie what a school has to offer back to your interests and talents, and show that you are a good fit for the school and also will be a valuable asset. In other words, don’t just describe new commitments. Clearly articulate how these commitments have helped your growth and development as a person.
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In addition to detailing any developments in your life, an effective first-choice letter should offer a compelling picture of why a particular institution is your top choice. For schools that track demonstrated interest (a measure of how deeply an applicant cares about a school), writing a first-choice letter can boost your chances of admission. To underscore your commitment, consider the following ideas:
- Identify campus organizations of interest
- Refer to specific classes or professors that have caught your attention
- Share geographic spots of interest on and around campus
- Include the story of how and why you “fell in love” with the university or college
Ideally, a first-choice letter should adopt a respectfully confident tone. After you finish drafting your letter, make sure to scan for any language that comes across as demanding or desperate. Remember to edit. Double-check and triple-check for any grammatical or sentence fluency issues. We recommend asking someone you trust to proofread your draft before you send it off!
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Contact your school counselor.
Ask them if they would be willing to call the admissions office and advocate on your behalf, as this can make an impact.
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Stay focused.
Remember, final grades or grades in progress can potentially make a difference. Keep moving forward!
We encourage you to stay positive and focus on your options and what is in your control – including the steps outlined above.
Please contact us here with any questions, comments, or inquiries.