Being placed on a college admissions waiting list can create a mixed bag of emotions for applicants. On the one hand, this is not an outright rejection, but on the other hand, you may feel as if you are left on the sidelines.
After all the effort you put into essays, interviews, and extracurriculars, being placed on a waitlist can be frustrating and frustrating. But understanding how the waitlist actually works — and, more importantly, what your odds of getting in — can help alleviate some of that uncertainty and guide your next steps.
In this article, we’ll dive into how the college waitlist process works, the factors that influence acceptance from a waitlist, and what you can do to improve your chances. We’ll also look at real data from the 2022 UC Berkeley admissions cycle to give you an idea of how your waitlist odds look in reality.
What is a waitlist and why do colleges use it?
Every year, college admissions teams face the unexpected task of determining exactly how many students will actually get accepted and who will actually enroll. This is known as the “return rate,” and it is a critical metric for colleges that are constantly looking to fill their incoming classes without going overboard or leaving seats empty. To manage this, admissions teams sometimes offer a place to certain qualified applicants on their waiting list. Over the next few months, a portion of accepted students will decline their offers. This means that registration spots are open and students on the waiting list can have a chance at admission.
Each college uses its waiting list differently. However, waiting lists are usually created in the spring (after March or April), after initial acceptance letters have been sent. Once waitlisted students receive an official admissions decision, they are often asked if they would like to remain on the waitlist. If you are waitlisted, you will usually be asked to confirm your interest by filling out a form or sending a letter to the admissions office. This indicates your ongoing commitment to the school, which can be a factor if places become available.
Odds of acceptance from the waiting list
The question of the hour is: What are the odds of actually getting in if you’re on the waiting list?
Unfortunately, waitlist odds are generally low, especially at highly selective schools. According to data from National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), highly selective colleges tend to have waitlist acceptance rates of less than 10%, while more moderately selective schools may have rates hovering around 20%. In most cases, students should approach a waitlist offer with cautious optimism—it’s an opportunity, but it has no guarantees.
UC Berkeley example: waitlist statistics
To understand how this process is implemented, let’s look at a real-world example. In 2022, UC Berkeley, one of the most competitive schools in the UC Berkeley school system, offered a spot to 7,001 qualified applicants on its waitlist. Of these, 4,820 students decided to accept the offer and remain on the waiting list. In the end, 1,191 people who were originally on the waiting list were accepted.
This means that about 17% of students on UC Berkeley’s waitlist ultimately gained admission. While this may sound promising, remember that Berkeley is a large public university with higher enrollment needs. Many private, highly selective institutions accept far fewer students on their waitlists each year, sometimes less than 5% or none at all.
Factors affecting waitlist acceptance rates
Each college’s approach to managing its waitlist is unique, but there are some common factors that can affect whether a waitlisted student ultimately receives admission:
- Return rates: If a college’s throughput — the percentage of accepted students who enroll — is lower than expected, it may need to accept more students from the waitlist. For example, if a large number of students decline their offer of admission in favor of other schools, more spots will open up for students on the waitlist. Schools with low or unpredictable throughput rates are more likely to rely on their waiting lists to fill classrooms.
- Obvious interest: Some schools take into account a student’s continued interest in attendance when determining who to accept from the wait list. By sending a letter of continued interest, updating the admissions office on recent accomplishments, or even just filling out a confirmation form on the spot, you can show that you are committed to attending if accepted. In competitive admissions environments, this level of demonstrated interest can make a difference.
- Class formation objectives: Admissions teams strive to create a class that is balanced and diverse, not only in terms of demographics but also in terms of academic interests, geographic distribution, and extracurricular talent. If the initial accepted pool lacks a certain type of student—for example, musicians or applicants from a particular state—the college may look to waitlist candidates who fit that profile.
- Institutional priorities: Each college has specific goals and strategic priorities that influence admission decisions. For example, a college that is expanding a computer science department may give waitlist preference to students with a strong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Likewise, a college that values geographic diversity may prioritize out-of-state or international students from a waitlist if enrollment from these groups is lower than expected.
The emotional reality of being on a waiting list
Getting on the waiting list is an emotional experience. You may feel like you’re stuck in limbo, waiting for a response that might change your future. However, being waitlisted is not necessarily a reflection of your skills and qualifications. In many cases, it’s simply a matter of space. Keep in mind that admissions teams regularly report that they have many more qualified applicants than there are available spots.
Steps to take if you are on a waiting list
If you are on a waiting list, it is important to remain proactive while managing expectations. Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of acceptance:
- Confirm your interest: Most schools ask waitlisted students to confirm if they are still interested in attending. Make sure you complete this process as soon as possible, as this may indicate that you want to register.
- Write a letter of continuing interest: A letter of continuing interest, sometimes called a LOCI, can help support your case. Your message should be brief but real. Use them to reiterate your interest in the school, explain why it’s the best choice for you, and update the admissions team on any significant accomplishments since submitting your application, such as awards, grades, or new extracurricular involvement.
- Update with relevant information: If you have new SAT/ACT scores, a recent accomplishment, or additional academic updates, consider submitting them to the Admissions Office. Some schools welcome the updates, others do not; It is a good idea to check the school policy to avoid overstepping.
- Accept an offer elsewhere: Since a waitlist offer does not guarantee admission, it is wise to secure your spot at another college by the deposit deadline. This way, you’ll have a guaranteed spot for the fall, and won’t feel stressed if the waitlist show doesn’t pan out.
Should you appeal your waitlist status?
In some cases, applicants may wonder whether they should reach out to resume their waitlist status. However, it is not generally recommended. Admissions teams are accustomed to receiving additional information from waitlisted students, and contacting them frequently may be viewed negatively. The best way is to follow their guidelines, provide any required updates, and let your app speak for itself.
Final thoughts on queue strategies
Although being waitlisted is often disappointing, it is important to remember that many students are accepted from the waitlist. Also try to think about the bigger picture of why waitlists exist, and then focus on what you can do to set yourself up for future success. Staying focused on presenting yourself as a committed and well-qualified candidate will speak for itself.
Ultimately, college is just one chapter in your educational journey. Whether you get accepted from a waitlist or not, your college experience — and your potential for success — isn’t limited to one decision. Embrace your choices, make the most of the college experience that welcomes you, and remember that no matter where you go, your passion, resilience, and curiosity are what will move you forward.
