What should Barnard College transfer applicants know about the waitlist?

I'm currently applying to transfer to Barnard College and I'm curious about their waitlist process. Does anyone have any experience or insights on how Barnard handles waitlisted transfer applicants?

Barnard College's waitlist process for transfer students is similar to that of many colleges, but it's worth noting that transfer admission can often be even more competitive than first-year admission, primarily due to the limited spots available.

Applicants who get placed on the waitlist have been deemed qualified for admission but unfortunately didn't make the immediate cut due to the sheer number of qualified applicants. Your placement on the waitlist signifies that if some admitted students choose to not attend Barnard, a spot might open up for you. However, since the number of students who choose not to enroll (this is often referred to as "yield") can vary year by year, the number of students pulled from the waitlist can fluctuate significantly.

While on the waitlist, it's important to respond promptly to Barnard's request to confirm if you'd like to remain on the waitlist. Be sure to continue showing interest in Barnard, as demonstrated interest can sometimes be a factor in waitlist admissions. This can be done through email updates about any new academic achievements, new involvements, or just a letter reiterating your interest in the institution.

One last thing to consider is that financial aid for waitlisted students can be variable, depending on the school’s remaining aid budget at the time you are admitted off the waitlist. This is something to think about if receiving adequate financial aid is important to you.

Again, it's important to keep in mind that being admitted from the waitlist can vary from year to year and there are many factors, such as yield rates and institution needs, which can affect these decisions. So my advice is to plan for the best but also prepare for all scenarios. It's always a good idea to have a backup plan and accept another offer of admission before the deadline to guarantee that you'll be continuing your education in the fall. Good luck with your application!