The Waitlisted Meaning And Definition. How to Manage Waitlist Acceptances After You’ve Already Committed

The Waitlisted Meaning And Definition. Let’s face it, though being waitlisted is a good thing because Your university is interested in you. You did receive a waitlist acceptance letter or email. However, it is also stressful because You have already committed, and there is a lack of stability and some uncertainty.

Say you’ve done your part and committed to a college by the May 1st deadline. However, you are still waiting for that one or two waitlist decisions that could turn the tide. Many people have been asking us whether it’s possible to de-commit. And/or retract their SIR in order to recommit and enroll at a school they’ve just been accepted to off the waitlist. The answer is yes, it’s very possible. However, it’s important to follow the correct order of actions to ensure a smooth transition.

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When do waitlist decisions come out?

You received a waitlist letter meaning your college wants you. And though you have another hurdle, Waitlist letters are common practice. It is important how you respond to it. The waitlist acceptance does not come out before the May 1st deadline. They wait for all the HS seniors to submit their deposits. However, they can take the entire summer before their decision. So these 5 Tips on managing a waitlist acceptance are extremely important.

Don’t Panic

We understand the uncertainty of being waitlisted meaning there is not yet a clear path to follow yet. Therefore it is important to not jump to any conclusions or cause any additional stress. Speak with ReadyEdgeGo or your local college counseling representative if you need to talk through this. Being waitlisted does not mean you are not worthy of a solid education at the college of your choice. Just the opposite. You are qualified. They noticed Your hard work and what it took to get there. And they know that.

If You Choose to Wait After Being Waitlisted Meaning You Will Want to Wait As Long As Possible

You can choose to move on. Or you may choose to wait after being waitlisted meaning this college is still where you want to go. Before immediately enrolling at the next university, you’ll want to wait until you near the enrollment deadline. This is to give yourself time to coordinate with the current university you’re enrolled for. And to give your other waitlisted universities time to release their results as well.

On the other hand, do not wait too long. Don’t miss deadlines or opportunities at other universities that you have chosen. Sometimes a waitlist letter of continued interest is required or a good idea. It is wise to coordinate this with ReadyEdgeGo or your local college counseling representative.

Check the College Website for Withdrawal Instructions

Some colleges have a webpage that specifically outlines instructions on how to withdraw. For example, as UC Davis explains on its website, you can complete your withdrawal before classes start by making the cancellation in your MyAdmissions portal. Be sure to check the college website for specific instructions on how their withdrawal process works.

Write the Admissions Office

Whether or not there’s a formal procedure in place to withdraw your enrollment, you should write the Admissions Office via email. Notify them of your intention to withdraw, along with your reasoning. Be grateful in your opening and closing statements. And if possible, direct your email to an existing point of contact who’s familiar with you. From our experience, colleges are very understanding and will help you complete your request for Waitlist Acceptances.

Notify the Next University

After you’ve completed the above two steps, write the Admissions Office of the college to which you plan on enrolling. Let them know that you will be enrolling once you’ve successfully withdrawn from the current university. And again, be grateful in your words.

Hopefully, this doesn’t happen more than once, but if it does, simply repeat the above steps.

The Waitlisted Meaning And Definition Recap

Feel free to wait until the enrollment deadline to accept a position off the Waitlist Acceptances. If you are planning on withdrawing from the school you are enrolled to:

Don’t Panic. Do Not Stress.
Wait as long as you can. But do not miss other deadlines.
Check their college website for a formal withdrawal procedure.
Additionally, notify the admissions office to withdraw your enrollment and make sure to provide the reasoning as well.
Lastly, notify the school you’re enrolling to that you will accept their offer. After you’ve successfully been withdrawn from the previous university.

We hope that this provides some valuable insight while making your college application profile even stronger. We specialize in youth mentorship and college counseling. From 8th grade to 12th grade, we have you covered for any stage in your high school career. Schedule a free meet and greet with us here.

We are always posting more helpful tips and tricks. To help reduce the stress of going to the college of your choice. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube.

Sarah Gooch

Essay Editor

Q:How many total years of experience do you have in your current role, including but not limited to ReadyEdgeGo?

A: I have five years' experience in coaching student writing, but this is my first year with ReadyEdgeGo.

Q: What about working with students do you most enjoy?

A: I love helping students find depth and meaning in their own stories—but I also just love it when they make me laugh!

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: In theory, I enjoy painting and writing poetry, but these days I actually spend most of my free time socializing or watching movies with my husband.

Q: What is your one piece of advice for high schoolers?

A: Don't just focus on achieving top grades and credentials because they look good on applications, or your education will be meaningless. The numbers and awards have their place, but stay connected to your sense of curiosity, discovery, excitement, and wonder so that the content you're learning is constantly transforming you—it's something you care about, something you remember after the final exam. Work on the aspects of yourself no one can measure, like integrity, wisdom, kindness, and compassion, so that you're not only developing your academic and career potential but also investing in the type of adult you're going to be, the person you'll have to live with after you clock out every day for the rest of your life.

Doing the hard inner work of building your character and learning deeply instead of just earning grades will set you up for a satisfying, well-rounded life. Strange as it sounds, it will also put you ahead in your academic and career goals, because colleges and hiring managers aren't looking for an empty set of data on a spreadsheet; they want a fully fleshed-out person marked by passion, creativity, and a story no one else has lived.

So go on studying hard for tests, but also spend some time asking yourself what matters in life and who your role models are. Read up on topics that amaze you, and build something incredible just for fun. Cultivate that spark of joy you feel when you're immersed in a subject that fascinates you. If you can hit that balancing act of doing your homework and meeting deadlines but also investing in the kind of person you want to be, then trust that all the rest will follow: schools will recognize you as a dynamic, all-star person, and you will also build a life of happiness, close relationships, and peace.

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