Understanding the Harvard Waitlist

Hey, I'm pretty stressed about college applications right now, like most of us are. If I get waitlisted by Harvard, what are the chances that I'll eventually be accepted? How is the waitlist typically handled there?

The waitlist process at Harvard, like many other universities, is quite unpredictable. It varies significantly from year to year, and much of the outcome depends on the number of students who decide to accept their initial admission offers.

If you're placed on the waitlist, it essentially means that your application was strong enough to be accepted, but due to the limited number of spots, you haven't been offered admission outright. The waitlist acts as a backup for the university if the number of accepted students who choose to attend Harvard falls short of their target freshman class size.

Harvard doesn't release exact numbers, but generally, the odds of being accepted off the waitlist at highly selective schools like Harvard tend to be quite low. Between 70-80% of applicants accept their offer of admissions to Harvard, leaving little room for waitlisted candidates - usually, just a handful, if any, are ultimately accepted.

If you are waitlisted, you'll likely receive an update in the late spring or early summer. However, the timing depends on multiple factors, such as how many students take their spot in the incoming class and whether any trend appears in the numbers that could affect the waitlist (like more students than usual deciding to take a gap year).

During the wait, it's vital to commit to another school before their deadline to ensure that you have a college to attend in the fall. You should choose a school where you would be genuinely happy to attend, not just your second choice. If you are ultimately accepted at Harvard, you will be able to withdraw your commitment (although keep in mind that you'll likely lose your enrollment deposit).

In the meantime, it would help to keep up your academic performance as colleges may ask for final semester grades if you're in the waitlist pool. If there have been significant accomplishments or updates since you submitted your application, Harvard allows you to share those updates with them, via a letter of continued interest. You can read more about how to write this letter on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest/. However, avoid overwhelming them with information that doesn't substantially add to your application.

Lastly, if you want tips on how to maximize your chances of being accepted at Harvard outright, and avoiding the waitlist altogether, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine, which breaks down how to tackle their school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-harvard-university-essays/. The essays are a great opportunity to set yourself apart even in a highly competitive applicant pool, by showing what you have to offer beyond the numbers.

Regardless of what happens, don't lose heart! College decisions don't define your worth or predict your future success. There are many great schools where you can have an enriching and fulfilling college experience. Fingers crossed for you!