First, it's important to retain some perspective on this process; namely, that your worth as a person does not depend AT ALL on whether you do or do not get admitted to College X (or Y or Z). The qualities of character and spirit and persistence that have carried you this far are neither enhanced nor diminished by complex decisions reached by faraway admissions committees besieged by record numbers of applications. Likewise, your happiness and success in life will not hinge on where you go to school but rather what you do while you are there.

Armed with a well-deserved sense of self-worth, write the college a detailed letter saying that you want to remain under consideration and explaining, as precisely as possible, why you feel the college is particularly well suited to your academic and extra-curricular needs, talents, and interests. You may also comment on contributions you intend to make at the school if admitted, and inform the school of any accomplishments that have occurred since you submitted your application.

If you have recently written a paper that you feel is reflective of your very best work, you may submit a copy to the college.

If you have done particularly well in a senior-year class, you might want to ask the teacher for a letter of recommendation, assuming he or she has not already written one.

Keep up your academic and extracurricular performance.

Read the instructions from the college very carefully to make sure additional submissions are accepted by the school.

Please do remember that most schools accept only a fraction of the students on their waitlists, but these actions are worth a try.

Remember to promptly decline offers of admission to colleges you do not plan to attend. This may open up a spot for one of your classmates!

Accept one offer of admission (from the school you would most like to attend if the waitlist admission doesn’t come through) and make a deposit there before May 1st so that your place in their freshman class is guaranteed. This is an accepted practice. If you are accepted off the waitlist to your dream school, you must forfeit the deposit.

Avoid the temptation to call the college about your waitlist status.

Understand that waitlist admissions sometimes come with reduced financial aid, so make sure you know what you are getting into when you accept a waitlist offer of admission.

Printable Forms

Information Request Tracker

Application Checklist

Individual College Application Tracker

Essay Checklist

Interview Checklist

Recommendation Checklist

Junior Checklist

Senior Checklist