Many soon to be college freshmen are disappointed to learn that they have been wait-listed by a “top choice” college. And, at many schools, the odds of getting off the wait-list are slim. According to U.S. News & World Report, on average only 1 in 5 (20%) students are admitted after being wait-listed. Waiting to see if you get off the waitlist can be terrifying as wait-listed applicants generally do not hear whether they have been offered admission until after the May 1st deadline for high school seniors to place a deposit to secure their spot.

A college’s decision to offer wait-listed students a spot in the freshman class typically comes down to one principal factor: the number of students offered admission that choose not to accept their offer and instead enroll elsewhere. When a student is wait-listed, the college is admitting that the student is competitive in the applicant pool, and if a spot opens up after the May 1st reply date, the college will revisit a wait-listed student’s application.

Here is the most common question we field from wait-listed students and their parents: “Is there anything we can do to get off the wait-list?” So, here are 4 tips to improve your odds of getting off the wait-list:

1. Accept your spot on the waitlist with gratitude.
   Wait-listed applicants can accept or reject a wait-list offer. In order to be considered down the road, it is imperative you accept the wait-list offer as quickly as possible. We recommend sending a short email, letter, or thank you card not only accepting your wait-list spot but also reaffirming your interest in the school.
2. Redouble your efforts to express interest in the school.
   Do not be afraid to contact a college’s admissions office by email or written letter to demonstrate continued interest, even though schools don’t ask for any additional follow-up. Keep the communication positive and try not to repeat verbatim what you’ve already said in your admission essays or in your interview (if applicable). If the wait-listed school is truly your top choice, don’t be shy about saying so. These colleges want to offer students admission but only if a student is likely to accept the offer.
3. Provide any major updates to admissions officers.
   Did you recently win a prestigious award, attain a new leadership position, or otherwise strengthen your resume? Or, perhaps you scored highly on a new SAT Subject Test. If so, don’t be shy about sharing this information with admission officers, so your applicant file can be updated accordingly.
4. Ask for more information.
   See if you can find out more information about why you were wait-listed. Asking the admissions office may help but consider asking a guidance counselor to call and seek more information on your behalf. Please note, we only suggest asking a counselor to make a call if he or she has a strong relationship with the college’s admissions office.

In conclusion, getting off of the wait-list is an uphill battle, but don’t give up! If a wait-listed school is really your top choice, it makes sense to do everything possible to re-express your interest in the school. But, like everything in life, please use common sense: Don’t become a stalker.