Just as the different types of application deadlines have seemed to grow over the years (expanding to Early Decision II, Early Action II, Single-Choice Early Action, and more!), so too have the types of decisions a student might receive from a college. Aside from the straightforward “accept” or “deny” decisions, many more students are logging into their applicant portals to discover that they have been waitlisted. Similarly, deferrals have also been on the rise in recent years. Top Tier Admissions’ CEO, Dr. Liz Done Stone, recently wrote a piece for Forbes about what students can do if they receive a deferral decision during the early round. Whether deferred or waitlisted, these decisions can leave students feeling confused and unsure of what to do next. What does it mean in the moment to be waitlisted, and what does it mean for the rest of your application timeline?
Why Colleges Use Waitlists
At Top Tier Admissions, we help students navigate waitlist territory every spring. Part of that is helping students understand the function of the waitlist, and why colleges use it in the first place. As many colleges see significant increase in applications year over year, they turn to their waitlists as an instrument to steadily control the number of first-year enrollments without going over their capacity for their incoming class. For colleges, the waitlist is an important tool that helps them get as close to their target enrollment as possible. If a college underenrolls their class, they fall short of meaningful (and often critically necessary) tuition revenue; if they overenroll their class, they may experience infrastructure strains (i.e. students could end up living in forced triples in the dorms or even in hotels).
What Being Waitlisted Actually Means
When a college waitlists a student, they are signaling to that student that they remain a compelling candidate. The college may not have been able to admit you in the first-round of selection, but they are showing their continued interest in you and would like to see more information before they can make a final decision on your application.
One thing to note is that some schools will automatically put you on the waitlist, while others will explicitly ask you if you would like to opt-into the waitlist. Do not assume that you will automatically be placed there; make sure you understand the school’s policy and claim your spot if needed! Not every student who is offered a spot on the waitlist will ultimately choose to take it; they may have gotten in elsewhere and decided they would rather attend another school than wait for an offer off the waitlist. For example, last year, Dartmouth extended waitlist offers to 2,589 students; 2,189 of those students accepted their spot. Similarly, the University of Michigan offered waitlist spots to 24,804 students, and 18,793 of those students took them up on their offer. The number of students that will ultimately be admitted off the waitlist not only varies greatly from school to school, but can vary even from year to year: it all depends on that year’s application pool and the ever-changing institutional properties of what a school is looking for as it builds its class. In those examples I gave earlier, this is the number of students who were admitted off the waitlist:
- Dartmouth: 29 (1.3% admit rate off the waitlist)
- University of Michigan: 973 (5.1% admit rate off the waitlist)
As you can see, being placed on the waitlist is not a guarantee of eventual admission. Mentally, it can feel like a delicate balance between feeling hopeful about a positive outcome while simultaneously embracing the unlikelihood of being admitted.
Top 5 Things to Do If You’re Waitlisted
If it feels frustrating or unpredictable, that’s because it is. As always, in this process, there are factors that you have control over and those that you do not. It’s the same for schools- they can’t always control the number of students who enroll, and so they use the waitlist to gain control over shaping their class. And while you may not be able to control having been waitlisted, what you do have control over is what you do next.
1. Accept Your Spot on the Waitlist (If Required)
Some colleges automatically place students on the waitlist, while others require students to opt in. Be sure to carefully review the school’s instructions and claim your spot if needed.
Waitlist Analysis & Guidance
Let’s make your case stronger.
2. Follow the School’s Guidelines for Demonstrating Interest
Every college has different policies about post-decision communication. Some allow students to submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) with updates about accomplishments, awards, or academic progress. Others may simply ask students to confirm their interest through their applicant portal.
If a LOCI is permitted, be thoughtful and strategic. Highlight meaningful updates and reinforce why the school is still a top choice.
3. Keep Your Grades Strong
Colleges that revisit waitlisted applicants may request final transcripts or academic updates. Continuing to perform well academically demonstrates consistency and commitment.
4. Commit to Another College by May 1
Even if you remain hopeful about waitlist movement, you should plan to move forward with another acceptance. Submit your enrollment deposit and start planning for the fall at a school that has offered you admission.
5. Be Patient—and Manage Expectations
Most colleges won’t turn to their waitlists until after May 1, when they have a clearer picture of how many admitted students will enroll. Waitlist activity can happen anytime from early May through the summer.
Some years see significant movement; other years see very little. Preparing emotionally for either outcome is important.
Focus on Moving Forward
While a waitlist decision is not an outright denial, it’s important to proceed as though that offer may never materialize. The reality is that waitlist admission rates are often extremely low and can fluctuate dramatically from year to year.
Chances are, you already have several great options in front of you. Take time to explore those schools, attend admitted student events, and picture where you can thrive over the next four years. The college admissions journey doesn’t hinge on a single outcome—and exciting opportunities await at the institutions that have already welcomed you.
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With years of college counseling experience, Sam has guided students through the admissions process, building trusted relationships as she helped them identify and gain admission to best-fit colleges.
At Top Tier Admissions, Sam leads our annual Application Boot Camp® and our College Planning Retreat program. These curated, high-touch experiences are intentionally crafted to give students and families space for clarity, reflection, and confident decision-making—pairing strategic guidance with a calm, supportive environment that reduces stress and restores perspective during a high-stakes process.
Sam is a nationally recognized thought partner in college admissions strategy. She has presented at the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Annual Conference and is the author of A Guide to Finding the Best-Fit College for Jewish Students.
- College Unfiltered: The Real College Student Experience On Campus - April 17, 2026
- Waitlisted for College: What to Do Next - March 10, 2026
- Application Boot Camp®: Finish Your College Applications Early - March 5, 2026
