When do colleges usually release their waitlist decisions?

Hi guys! So, I've been hearing a lot about waitlists lately and was wondering if anyone had any insight on when colleges normally release waitlist decisions. Would love to get a better idea of what to expect!

Hi! The timeline for waitlist decisions can vary depending on the college and the specific admissions cycle. Generally, waitlist decisions begin to be released in early May and can continue until late August. However, most decisions are typically released between May and June. Here's a general timeline to give you an idea of what to expect:

1. Early May: Colleges will start evaluating their waitlists after May 1st, which is the National College Decision Day. By this point, they will know how many admitted students have accepted their offers, which gives them a better understanding of how many spots may be available for waitlisted applicants.

2. May - June: This is the peak period for waitlist decisions to be released. Colleges will continue to monitor their enrollment numbers during this time and will make offers to waitlisted applicants as needed to fill their incoming class.

3. July - August: Waitlist activity significantly slows, but it's still possible for colleges to release decisions, especially if they have not yet filled their class, or if there are late changes (a committed student getting off the waitlist themselves at another institution, for example). Colleges in the United States typically start their fall semesters in late August or early September, so waitlist activity will be wrapped up by then, but there are some stories of students getting in off the waitlist as late as the days before orientation starts.

Keep in mind that each college operates differently and may have unique factors affecting their waitlist decision timeline. It's important to stay in touch with the colleges and ensure they have your most up-to-date contact information. Additionally, make sure to have a backup plan in place, such as committing to another college or exploring gap year options, in case you don't receive a favorable waitlist decision - unfortunately, there's never a guarantee of getting in.

Finally, if you are waitlisted, make sure to write a letter of continued interest, reaffirming your interest in the school and updating admissions officers on any new developments in or changes to your profile, to maximize your chances of acceptance. You can read more on how to write this letter on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest.

Best of luck, and stay positive!