Wait lists leave students in limbo
May 7, 2012
It's the time of year when students of all ages are awaiting word on whether or not they've been accepted to the college or university of their choice. But for an increasing amount of would-be college students, the news they're waiting for does little to help them move forward with their plans.
According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, the number of prospective students being placed on wait lists has increased in recent years. The newspaper reports that both admissions experts and high school guidance counselors have seen the number of people placed on these lists grow in the past five years.
It may be due to the fact that more colleges are using wait lists. According to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), nearly half of all U.S. colleges used a wait list in 2010. That's up from 39 percent in 2009 and 35 percent in 2008.
"Wait lists help college admission offices to ensure that they meet enrollment targets, but they also may complicate students’ college choices by creating overlapping deadlines and additional complexity in the process," explains the NACAC.
While most students understand the reasons behind them, students admit that being placed on one isn't easy.
"It's not really a rejection, but it kind of is," wait-listed student Morgan Lundblad told the Chicago Tribune. "It just doesn't help you too much. I need to make a decision."
NACAC reports that about 28 percent of wait-listed students ultimately gained admission to the schools that put them on the lists in 2010. Because of this, admissions experts say wait-listed students shouldn't count on being accepted.
But there are things they can do to help their chances. The first step is to let the school know whether or not you're still interested. Next, tell them about anything that might make you a more attractive candidate.
"If a student has had any significant, positive changes since their application was submitted, I encourage them to send a letter and include any documentation that demonstrates these changes," Amy Thompson, college and career counselor at York Community High School in Illinois told NACACnet.org.
While contacting the admissions office once is okay, calling every day or even every week can hurt a student's chances by making them appear "pesky."
In the meantime, admissions experts say that it's a good idea to choose your second choice school and move forward with making a deposit and submitting the necessary paperwork.
Moms and other students in wait list limbo should rest assured that they'll be able to handle the financial aspect of college thanks to grants for parents, college scholarships and other financial aid.
