Upcoming ACT Deadline

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to sign up for the April 10th ACT  is this FRIDAY March 5th.

To sign up or take a practice or get more information on the ACT click here.

The Dreaded Waitlist

It is that time of year when students who have applied regular decision start to hear back about admissions decisions. While it can be stressful deciding between the schools to which you have been admitted, receiving a notification that you have been placed on the waitlist can make the final decision process that much harder.

Students who are placed on the waitlist typically are students whose applications were good, but not as great as some others. When a school places an application on the waitlist it does not mean that they think you are not qualified to attend, but rather there is just not enough spots given the applicant pool. It is easy to see how upsetting it might be to be placed on the waitlist of your first choice school. There are some steps to take to better your chances of making it off the waitlist.

1.) Send new materials such as awards or additional recommendations. These might helps counselors get an even better picture about the type of student you are. Additionally, academic honors and awards show them you are continuing to dedicate yourself to your studies.

2.) Maintain contact with the admissions office and individual review your application. Talking with the person who reviewed your application may provide insight into why you were placed on the waiting list. Staying in contact also reassures schools that you are truly interested in the school and would enroll if given the opportunity.

Even after taking these steps it is important to be realistic; there is no guarantee you will end up with a spot by the time school starts. This means that it is important to deposit at another school and plan on attending there. This way you will know that you have a place to attend in the fall. If you are accepted off the waitlist and choose to attend there, the school you have already deposited at will certainly understand.

Lastly, if you have been placed on the waitlist at a school and decide to matriculate someplace else and do now wish to remain on the waitlist for a possible slot, it is considered proper etiquette to notify the school that you do not wish to remain on their waitlist.

Whether you decide to remain on a waitlist in hopes of getting in, or decide to attend someplace else; sometimes making the final decision of where to attend is the hardest. To learn more about waitlisted admissions visit collegeboard.comcollegeboard.com or to read “How to get off the Waitlist and into College” by U.S. News and World Report.