Waitlist: good or bad?

So I've heard a lot about being waitlisted at colleges during the admissions process. Can someone shed some light on whether being waitlisted is a good thing or a bad thing? What are the chances that a student gets accepted after being waitlisted?

Being waitlisted at a college can be both a good and a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. On one hand, it's not a rejection, which means the college still considers you a strong candidate, and there is a chance they may admit you later. On the other hand, it's also not an acceptance, so there is still uncertainty, and your chances of getting off the waitlist could be slim depending on the school and the year.

The chances of being accepted after being waitlisted vary widely from college to college and from year to year. It largely depends on how many admitted students choose to enroll (yield rate) and whether the college needs to fill any spots. Some years, colleges may take a considerable number of students off their waitlists, while in other years they may take very few or none at all.

In some cases, highly selective colleges, like Ivy League schools, have historically taken very few students off their waitlists. However, it is essential to remember that each situation is unique, and there have been years where these schools admitted a higher number of waitlisted students. Waitlist acceptance rates can range from less than 1% to over 50% depending on the school, size of the waitlist, and enrollment situation during a specific year.

If you are waitlisted at a college, it's essential to have a backup plan. Make sure to secure a spot at another college by submitting your enrollment deposit to your second-choice school before the deadline. This way, you have a guaranteed college to attend even if you don't get off the waitlist. Meanwhile, you can continue to show interest in the school that waitlisted you by updating them on any new accomplishments or awards and reiterating your passion for attending the school.

In conclusion, being waitlisted does provide some hope, but it's crucial to have realistic expectations and not rely solely on being admitted off the waitlist. It's essential to have a backup plan in place and pursue other college options in the meantime.