| Many students wonder what exactly been put on | | | | other students who might apply. If a college has a |
| the wait list for a college really means. The school | | | | 30% acceptance ratio to all of its applicants, they |
| does not really accept or reject you, but just kind | | | | will usually send out fewer applications then |
| of put you on hold. Will they eventually accept | | | | needed. This way, if more than 30% of students |
| you? Are they going to call you tomorrow in | | | | accept their invitation to attend college, they are |
| reject you? Do you still apply to other colleges? | | | | not stuck having to turn some students away |
| Do you call the college admissions officer and ask | | | | that they do not have room for. |
| them what you can do to change their mind? | | | | Colleges use the wait list as a hedge against |
| These and many more questions should be on | | | | having a bad year at the college. If the college has |
| your mind, as well as you working on answers for | | | | less than the average 30% of students attending, |
| them. | | | | then they will need a backup plan to fill the |
| The wait list basically tells you that you are not | | | | remaining spots. The wait list is a backup plan for |
| the best applicant, yet you are not the worst. | | | | them. They put extra people on the list because |
| They have better choices than you at this | | | | they know other students will go ahead and |
| moment. That can change from day to day. This | | | | commit to other colleges and universities. So for |
| all depends on how many of the acceptance | | | | example, a university might put 100 students on |
| letters sent out to other students get accepted. | | | | the list that is basically on hold. If the university |
| Many top league schools will not have a problem | | | | need 50 of those students, then it is likely at least |
| getting people to attend their college. If they are | | | | half of the students on the wait list have already |
| not a top college or Ivy League university, the | | | | chosen another college. By putting more students |
| chances of students who have been accepted | | | | on the wait list then they need, they create a |
| attending college elsewhere, goes up. You really | | | | hedge. |
| just have to wait and see what happens. | | | | Last, but not least, colleges and universities put |
| Colleges usually create a wait list for three general | | | | students on a wait list to make them feel better |
| reasons. | | | | when they do get accepted. Generally, most |
| The first reason is to create a supplemental | | | | colleges and universities will not need to admit |
| acceptance list. Many colleges will intentionally | | | | anyone off of their wait list. However, in the rare |
| except fewer students than they need to fill the | | | | situation they do, that particular student will feel |
| freshman class. This is done in anticipation of | | | | extra special when they get the phone call. |