Many students have been waitlisted….in an uncertain economy, an unprecedented application year, many colleges have waitlisted more students than they will admit. Here are some waitlist facts and suppositions: first, why were you waitlisted? Well, who really knows? It could be so many, many things….maybe too many viola players applied this year so you ended up waitlisted, a back up in case one of the accepted ones declines. One just never knows….but in this admission climate, colleges have put thousands on the waitlists because when students are accepted to numerous colleges one never knows where they will go. Chances are that some of the waitlisted students will get a shot at clearing the waitlist.
Second, what to do? IF you want to stay on the waitlist, let them know ASAP. If you DO NOT want to stay on the waitlist, let them know that ASAP as well. If you are turning down a spot on a waitlist, that might be helping another waitlisted student who is anxious to clear. If you are responding that you want to stay on the waitlist, you might send a letter explaining why you think the university is such a perfect fit for you and how much you want to be in the incoming class. Interest counts.
Remember, though, you do have to make a decision by May 1. If you haven’t cleared the waitlist by that time, you do need to deposit somewhere! Also, remember that students from the waitlist almost never receive merit aid, only financial need. Something to consider!
