Waiting Out a Wait List
Being placed on a wait list can be particularly frustrating,
but don't despair. You still have a chance of getting into your
target school—you just have to be pro-active. But why did they
wait-list you in the first place?
Being wait-listed usually means that you've already qualified
academically for the college, but there are always other factors
in play. Your grades might be borderline, your extracurriculars
might be weak, or the school might have had a tremendous amount
of equally qualified students. The good news is that you haven�t
been rejected. The bad news? Well, you're not quite in yet.
Why and wherefore?
To understand the concept of a wait list, it helps to know how
colleges use them. This information can help you decide the best
way of moving from admission limbo into the college dorms.
Colleges will decide to admit a wait-listed student to their
school for a variety of reasons. They might admit students from
the list to balance the class in terms of male-female enrollment,
geographic or racial distribution, or even as a courtesy to an
alumnus of the college.
While you remain on the wait list, remember that the
possibility of admission still exists—so stay positive! Some
colleges prioritize applicants on a wait-list and are willing to
inform students of their position. Knowing that you are number 17
out of 400 is far more encouraging (and useful) than finding out
that you're #369. If you find out that you are high on the list,
make a decision on whether you want to attend the school in
advance of the actual notification, since a wait-listed student
is often only given a day or two to respond to an offer.
What to do?
First of all, make sure to check out "strings" that may be
attached to wait-list status. For example, students placed on a
wait list may not be entitled to preferential housing choices or
financial aid. If you are not depending on a hefty financial
offer, and if housing at the college is guaranteed for all
freshmen, then you have nothing to lose by indicating interest in
remaining on the wait-list.
And if you are still interested, definitely contact the
school. Even at this point, there are many actions you can take
to influence an admissions decision. Write an impassioned letter
explaining why the college should admit you; the admissions
committee may well choose a motivated and eager student (that
would be you) before the hundreds of other students on the wait
list. Point out factors that may not have been obvious on your
application. If possible, elicit support from an alumnus of the
college, or try to visit the college again to court favor with
admission officers.
Call to attention
Being creative and persuasive at this point can only help.
This is not the time to be timid. Wait-listed students who have
made themselves known to the admissions committee are better able
to position themselves for favorable decisions, so pull out any
stops (within reason, of course) to enhance your chances.
Generally speaking, nonacademic factors may sway an admissions
decision more than academic criteria, since being wait-listed
usually means the college has already determined that you are
capable of handling the school's academic demands.
In addition, keep your guidance counselor informed, and find
out what your high school is able to do to further support your
chances. If your senior year grades have remained high, request
that they send your third quarter (or trimester) grades to the
college; after all, it can't hurt. Has anything in your record
changed for the better? Would the college be interested in
reviewing another recommendation? Before flooding the admissions
office, try to learn what information may help your chances.
Hold off on holding out
If you're like a typical high school senior, you'll probably
feel relief when all of the admissions decisions arrive,
regardless of the outcome. It's quite tempting to choose the
first college that chooses you and sport the sweatshirt of the
college that said "yes" with pride. So if you're not utterly
enthralled with a school that wait-lists you (and you have other
options), it might not be worth the stress of remaining in
admissions limbo. Weigh the stress of holding out against your
desire (and the likelihood) of getting into this particular
school. Don't hold onto a wait list unless your interest in that
school is a profound one.
