Got waitlisted at UCSD—what are my chances?

Hey there, I just found out I've been waitlisted at UCSD. I know it's hard to predict, but does anyone have any insight into the general chances of getting in off the waitlist? Any advice for what I can do while I wait would be appreciated too!

Hey! First off, congratulations on being waitlisted at UCSD—it's still an accomplishment. As you mentioned, it's challenging to predict your exact chances of getting off the waitlist, as the number of waitlisted students accepted varies year to year depending on the number of accepted students who choose to enroll and other factors. For the most recent year we have data (2022), out of the 36,113 students who accepted a place on the waitlist, 2,400 were admitted, which is an acceptance rate of ~6.6%.

However, keep in mind that this rate can vary significantly from one year to another. For example, in 2021, over 25% of students who accepted their spot on the waitlist were accepted. That year, the process was still competitive, but significantly less so.

Although you can't control the number of accepted students who ultimately enroll at UCSD, you can take a few steps to increase your chances and ensure that you're prepared, whether or not you get in off the waitlist:

1. Submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI): Let UCSD know that you're still interested in attending their institution. Update them on any recent achievements or accomplishments you've had since submitting your application. Keep it short, concise, and professional. You can read more about how to write a strong LOCI on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest/

2. Keep your grades up: Continue to perform well academically in your final semester or quarters of high school, as UCSD will likely request your latest transcripts before making a final decision.

3. Research and commit to another option: While you wait, make sure to finalize a decision on another school where you've been accepted. You don't want to miss out on any deadlines for accepting offers, applying for housing, or securing financial aid. If you're ultimately accepted at UCSD, you will be able to withdraw your commitment to the other school without penalty, although you will likely lose your enrollment deposit.

4. Stay patient: It can be tough waiting, but remember that waitlisted students likely will not hear back until after the May 1st commitment deadline. In rare cases, such as when an enrolled student needs to unexpectedly defer their admission due to personal circumstances, you may even be accepted off the waitlist in the days before freshman orientation begins. Be prepared for a potentially long wait.

Regardless of the outcome, remember that there are many great colleges out there, and where you go doesn't define your future success. Congratulations again on being waitlisted and best of luck!