The waitlist is a form of “insurance policy” used by many colleges as a hedge against the possibility of unfilled places in an entering class. 

There is no way to predict a student’s chances of admission from the waitlist, as circumstances and conditions vary each year. Usually, waitlists are not ranked; rather, all waitlisted students are reevaluated shortly before and after May 1. 

The number of waitlist candidates offered acceptance depends upon the number of places still to be filled. Students should choose to remain on a college’s waitlist only if they are seriously interested in attending that institution. 

If they are accepted off of a waitlist, students are asked to submit a deposit and, at that point, the deposit at the other college is lost. If interest is not strong, students should remove their names to open up space for others on the waitlist who have a high interest in the institution.

Seniors, review "I'm Waitlisted, Now What?" in Canvas and see your college counselor with any specific questions regarding a college's waitlist.