Understand that being waitlisted happens...and it's a good thing. Having your application waitlisted or put on hold means that the school still wants to consider you. Admission offer is ideal, but waitlisted is the next best thing. Know there are many reasons why you've been waitlisted that are out of your control. Law schools begin visiting waitlists for various reasons and at different points throughout the application process. Reasons include:
When receiving (or not receiving) seat deposits from applicants they've admitted, usually around April 1. This is when the bulk of movement takes place on the waitlist.
When looking to fill criteria for the class they are forming. Wanting students from geographic regions, balanced GPAs or LSAT scores, admitting students from more diverse undergraduate schools in terms of focus, size, location, etc.
There are actions you can take when your application is waitlisted. They include:
Indicate you wish to be accepted to the waitlist. One professional, enthusiastic email achieves this.
Schedule a visit with the law school. In-person is ideal, but if too far away or timing doesn't work, attend virtual sessions if offered or schedule a virtual meeting with an admissions representative. *Note: Matthews Center Professional Development funding can be used to help reduce travel costs for such visits.
Ask questions, be prepared to talk about why you are interested in the program and why you feel it's a great fit for you (and vice versa).
Ask what their recommendation is for waitlisted applicants to keep in touch and follow their directions. If they say not to call or email weekly...don't.
Follow up with brief thank you emails to everyone you meet with: admission representatives, current students, faculty.
3. Immediately after a school's deposit deadline passes, send a letter of continued interest (LOCI), indicating specifically why you still want to be considered for admission.
4. Send emails with any updated information: A new LSAT score, new semester grades, new internship, leadership role or job. If you've completed a research project, presented at a conference, have been published. All are examples. Admission representatives usually do not consider additional Letters of Recommendations to be "updated" information.
5. Avoid harassing the admissions office. Once per month until seat deposit deadlines pass is appropriate, followed by every two to four weeks, depending on what the admission represenatives suggest. Ask them! "As you move forward reviewing waitlisted candidates, how would you like me to contact you (email, phone, etc.) and how often?"
6. Begin evaluating strategies. Have you been offered admission to schools of interest? Do you want to reapply in the next application cycle? These are questions you can discuss with others (prelaw advisor, faculty or work advisor, parents, etc.).