Waitlisted? 4 Steps to take now
Decision are released and you find yourself still in limbo land placed on the waitlist for a school you'd really like to attend, now what?
This is NOT ABOUT YOU, you can't begin to know the institutional priorities and goals that have led to this decision. Perhaps they received an abundance of illustration applicants, or percussion, or comedic actors, and their classes are just full. Or, possibly last year they accepted too many screenwriters, contemporary dancers, or EDM students who all decided to take a gap year and start as freshman in the fall of 2022. Unfortunately you're on the wait list and not accepted. Here are some things you can, and should do.
Review your acceptances. Go to accepted students days, find and talk to current students (or recent alumni), take a renewed and detailed look. Something about the school interested you initially or you wouldn't have applied, also, you're different now then you were when you submitted your application, maybe that school has new appeal. If finances are a consideration for you make sure to include that in your analysis.
Accept a school by May 1. This is key, because being accepted from waitlists is not a guarantee and unless you intend to take a gap year and reapply (yes, go through this process again) you will want a place for the fall. As you decide schools are not for you make sure to tell them, even before May 1, as that will allow them to free spaces for waitlisted students like yourself.
Check the college’s Common Data Set. This will tell you historically how many students were admitted off of the waitlist in past years, google "Common Data Set CollegeName" to see waitlist statistics which are in Section C2. Note, though, that these statistics are for the whole school, so if you are applying to a highly selective program within a school you will not be able to gauge the acceptance into that program.
Decide if you want to accept your waitlist offer. If you decide yes there are a number of actions you can and should take. Write a letter to the school and let them know what you've been doing since you applied. Did you win any awards? participate in a performance? start or take a lead in an extracurricular activity? Also, discuss how you would contribute to campus life, how you would use your college degree, and most importantly that if accepted you would most certainly attend. Write this letter to the admissions representative who is assigned your region. Make sure the school has your mid-year transcripts especially if you've kept your grades up AND keep your strength as it is possible schools will wait to see your final senior year transcripts as well.
While you can be accepted off the waitlist at any time from now until the start of school, know that many of these acceptance can come in the summer. That is a long time to pin your hopes on a school, try and find the good fit in the school which you have decided to accept in the meantime.