You had hoped the admissions process would be over by now, but you’ve been wait-listed. 

What do you do now?

33% of colleges and universities use wait-lists. These lists are effectively the colleges’ back up plans.  They have a number in mind of how many freshmen they want to admit.  The colleges also know that not all students will accept their invitations to join their student bodies.  So the wait lists are there to fill the gap.

Approximately 10% of student s who apply to a college with a wait list will wind up on the list.  Out of those 10%, 20% of them will get off the wait list and get into the college.

So here’s your first lesson about being wait-listed. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against you.  You only have a 1 in 5 chance of getting off that wait-list.  So if you’re serious about it… If you really want to get into that school, then you better do some work to improve your chances.

1. The student makes all contact with the college.
First things first… Mom and Dad need to stay out of this process.  Here’s a bit of trivia for you…Out of all the communication that a typical admissions office receives:

• 85% comes from parents of prospective students

• 10% comes from high school guidance counselors

• 5% comes from the students themselves

• Only 5% comes from the students!  Do you realize that one of the most effective ways for your student to stand out amongst the thousands of applicants is to be one of the very few students who contact the admissions department themselves?  This is the first key to getting off the wait list. The student should be making all the contact with the college.

2. Decide whether or not to pursue the wait-listed school or schools. The student needs to take stock and determine if they really want to remain on the wait list.  Is the school that much more desirable than their second or third choice which has already admitted them?  Do they want to hang on to the chance they would get in?  Since most of the financial resources will have long before been allocated and the student is not likely to get a generous award, should they take the money being offered by one of the other schools?

This is an important step, and can easily get overlooked. So answer this big question now.

3. What’s your backup plan?
You and your student need to formulate their backup plan.  Remember, only 20% of students get off the wait list.  Also keep in mind that most colleges require you to make a yes or no decision by May 1st.  There is a very high likelihood that you will not hear anything about getting off the wait list until July or August.  So you must have a backup plan.

Pick one of the other schools you have already been accepted to, hopefully one with a generous offer, and send in your confirmation and deposits.  You need to pursue your backup plan school as if you will be there in the fall.  Then if your first choice school comes through and you get off the wait list; you can let your backup know and change course. Of course, you have to be willing to give up your deposits at the backup school.

Do not pass up this step.  You must have a backup plan.  Don’t start telling yourself, “well that doesn’t seem fair to my backup school.”

4. Contact the Admissions office
You need to contact the admissions office directly (you being the student). Ask them why you were wait listed.  Was there something missing?  Were your ACT or SAT scores just a little too low?

Were they looking for more leadership?  Find out as many details about the admissions decision that you can without being a pest.  Find out who the admissions representative is who has your file.

Now send them a letter reiterating your interest in going to their school.  List what you like about their school.  Is the location, the staff, its history, your experience at a campus visit.  You need to present yourself as someone who is knowledgeable and a good fit for their university.

5. Follow up with the College     
Fifth… You need to be following up with the college as you are able to provide them with important information which will cast you in a good light and help them make their decisions.  Here are some good reasons to contact your admissions rep and update them:

• Your ACT or SAT score went up measurably.

• Your GPA has improved.

• You have just received a school or community award.

This is not the time to Twitter your admissions counselor to death.  They don’t care who you went to prom with.  They don’t care that you’re going on a really cool senior trip.  And they don’t care that your group won the high school battle of the bands.

You want to provide them relevant information.  You do not want to become a stalker.

6. Don’t Obsess over the Wait List
If you’ve put together a well thought out admissions plan, you should have several other schools who have already accepted you. You are just as likely to have a great college experience at those schools as you are at your first choice school. So don’t worry about it.  Get on with the rest of your Senior year and have some fun.

© 2009 Scott Anderson, www.cfstrategies.com  www.RealCollegeSavings.com

Admissions Tip: Waitlist Letters

Your waitlist updates and letters of support from others should focus on three areas:

• Your qualifications: specifically recent professional achievements, academics, research,  increases in responsibility, initiatives, and community service.

• Steps you have taken to improve upon your weaknesses.

• Fit with the school, and your genuine desire to go to the school.

The first two areas demonstrate that you are an even better applicant today than you were when you applied. The third reveals that you belong at that school like a hand fits in a snug glove on a cold winter day, and that you will attend if, or should I say, when accepted.

Suggestions for a Waitlist Update

• Briefly thank the school for continuing to consider your application and mention how the school's philosophy and approach fit your educational preferences and goals. Don’t dwell on your disappointment at not being accepted.

• Agree to take any additional courses or follow any additional instructions provided.

• Discuss recent achievements. Did you have a 4.0 during the last quarter? Have you led a project or organization? Volunteered? Have you taken your department, business, or club in a new direction? Succeeded in a particularly demanding class or project? You should bring out any recent accomplishments not discussed in your application and ideally tie them back to some of the themes or experiences you raised in your essay(s).

• Discuss how you have addressed shortcomings – without highlighting them. For example, if you enrolled in seven straight classes to increase your GPA, instead of taking a study hall, or have taken college level dual credit courses as electives to strengthen your classroom skills, etc.

• If you are certain you would attend this school, make it clear that this is your first choice and that you will attend if accepted.

Keep the letter short and sweet -- two pages max. Don’t succumb to the temptation to rewrite or even summarize your life history or essay(s). Stay focused on what you have accomplished since applying.