Deferrals & Waitlists — What to Do & How to Avoid

Waitlist ≠ rejection. There are ways to get accepted; read below how.

Life is not always rainbows and sunshine, so learning to find positive things in everything is beneficial. You may feel depressed after being waitlisted.

Which is totally normal.

But you can also try to see something positive in it: get prepared better or even reconsider your choices. In this post, I will explain the differences between deferral and waitlist and give you the best recommendations on what to do if you’re in such a situation.

After being waitlisted, you still have a good chance of getting into the university of your choice. The not-so-great thing is that your admission chances vary significantly depending on the college, enrollment year, and study field.

• Numbers show that, on average, 10% of applicant students get waitlisted. Around half of them accept the place, and around 25% get admitted. The takeaway is that you’re not alone, and it’s quite common to be waitlisted.

Larger universities, such as Cornell, Boston University, UCLA, and the University of Miami, offer many places on their waitlists (we’re talking up to twenty thousand!) and, at the same time, have lower acceptance rates. For example, Cornell accepted around 5% of the waitlisted students in previous years.

Deferral Vs. Waitlists

What Does Waitlisted Mean

A waitlist is like a line — the candidates wait for a spot to open. Being waitlisted means that your college considers you a suitable candidate, but there are not enough spots for everyone. You’ll be moved up in a list whenever some accepted students withdraw their applications. The most unfortunate thing about being on a waitlist is that you never know when the enrollment limit will be reached. And I don’t want to scare you, but the list tends to get longer yearly.

What Does Deferred Mean

When a college committee can’t decide whether you’re the perfect candidate, they can send you a deferral. It means that you still have a chance to get admitted, but there are things to work on — your application may be lacking something, or you may need to improve your tests. While you aren’t being rejected, a deferral status puts you in a gray zone. I can tell from experience that it’s pretty nerve-wracking. I wish someone shared these tips with me earlier.

I Am Waitlisted/ Deferred. What Do I Do?

There are some particular things that you can do if you find out that you were waitlisted or deferred:

1. Choose a plan B. What’s the next most desirable university on your list? Make sure you’ll have a higher chance of being admitted there.
2. Stay updated. Check the university website for updates on your application, and monitor your email regularly, including the spam folder.
3. Work on your application. Reread it to see the weak points. Is there anything you can fix or add to make it stronger? For example, try adding a letter of continued interest.
4. Keep in touch with the admissions committee. If you were deferred, send the committee all the essential updates. Taking an extra course, improving a skill, and retaking the SAT are all worth sharing.
5. Go on a campus trip. Visit your dream university’s campus to see if it’s actually worth your efforts. You can talk to the students there to feel how it actually is to study there.
6. Be realistic but calm. Evaluate your chances of getting accepted to keep your expectations accurate. How many spots are free? Is your application strong enough? Are you motivated?
7. Make a decision. Everything has time limits. So, if you were offered a spot on a waiting list, accept or decline it as soon as possible.

Tips for Deferred and Waitlisted Students

So, what exactly should you do during the waiting period, and what should you avoid at all costs? The main goal is to be proactive and plan your future wisely. Answer these questions:

• What will you do if your #1 college rejects your application? Do you have alternatives? Have you planned all the deadlines accordingly?
• What about your financial situation? Finances are an essential aspect for some colleges. Can you submit a deposit? Can you show the committee the capability of covering tuition fees?
• Have you considered a gap year? Taking a gap year is an incredible opportunity to earn extra cash, gain skills and experience, meet new people, and enroll in college next season.
• How stressed are you? On a scale of 1 to 10, what’s your stress level? If it’s high, try whatever relaxation technique you find enjoyable. Read a fiction book, hang out with friends, watch a movie, take a mini vacation — anything to make you feel more grounded.

Things to Avoid

Some things may feel like a great idea, but they are not. I know it’s tough to resist doing all this stuff but trust me, it won’t do any good.

❌ Don’t reject the rest of the offers. Being waitlisted doesn’t guarantee anything, so while you may decline some offers, leave a few as backup plans.

❌ Don’t send unnecessary documentation. Showing your eagerness to study is good, but don’t bombard the committee with letters, phone calls, and emails. Such behavior has caused many candidates to be rejected in the past.

❌ Don’t resort to desperate measures. Remember — enrollment is not about begging the committee to give you a spot. Show that you’re a worthy student with your genuine interest and sufficient knowledge.

❌ Don’t lose hope. Having realistic expectations is excellent, but don’t give up your last hope if you’re waitlisted. The chances may be low, but never zero. Follow the tips from this article, be optimistic, and try not to overthink it.

Once again.

Being on a waitlist or deferred from a university is not the end of the world. You still have a chance of getting into the university of your dreams. Always have a backup plan and try to show your motivation to the committee. Most importantly — stay calm!

Find more study tips and lifehacks on the IvyPanda blog for students.