Each spring—and sometimes earlier in the admissions cycle—high school seniors receive one of several different decisions from colleges. While an acceptance is easy to understand, other outcomes can feel confusing. Students may see terms such as waitlisted, deferred, or rejected, and many wonder what these decisions really mean for their chances of admission. Understanding the differences can help students respond strategically and move forward with confidence.
Read MoreFor high school seniors who receive a waitlist decision, one of the most common questions is: Should I send a Letter of Continued Interest? In many cases, the answer is yes—if the college allows it. A thoughtful Letter of Continued Interest (often called a LOCI) gives students an opportunity to reaffirm their interest in a college and provide meaningful updates since submitting their application. However, not all letters are equally effective.
Read MoreWhat are the actual chances of being admitted from a waitlist? The answer varies widely by college and by year. Some institutions admit hundreds of students from their waitlist, while others admit very few—or none at all. Understanding how waitlists work and what the data shows can help students approach the situation with realistic expectations.
Read MoreWhile it can feel frustrating or confusing, a waitlist decision does not mean the admissions process is over. Colleges use waitlists to manage uncertainty in enrollment, and some students are admitted from the waitlist each year. If you’ve been waitlisted, the key is to respond strategically while continuing to move forward with your college plans. Here are the most important steps students should take.
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be deferred or waitlisted to college? And if you’ve been waitlisted to your dream college, what should you do?
Read MoreWhat if things didn’t quite work out as you expected and instead of deciding between letters of admission, you find that you’ve been waitlisted at one or more schools?
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