Maybe? After all, the waitlist is probably not exactly where you were hoping to be.
It’s the admission decision no one tends to expect. You worked hard on your applications, applied to great schools, and waited to find out if you were admitted or denied.
Decision day comes and surprise! It’s neither a YES nor a NO.
Your friends say it’s a backhanded compliment—after all, you weren’t rejected, and there is still a chance. Your parents say it’s just a polite “NO” and you should move on. But you’ve heard of students at your school being admitted after ending up on a waitlist and you don’t want to give up if there is a chance.
Below, we’ll talk through how and why students are waitlisted, how often students are admitted off of the waitlist, and how you can best assess your options to make informed decisions.