Denied or Waitlisted?

In the next week or so seniors will receive admissions decisions to the last of a lengthy list of top colleges across the U.S.  It really is a life-changing moment for students, as the hopes and dreams are decided by clicking a mouse.

I think it's important to honor your feelings of disappointment, sadness, anger, frustration, or any of the miriade of emotions that wash over you, as you come to terms with a college denying admission. For many students it's the first time anyone, anywhere has ever told them that they do not measure up to an academic standard - and it hurts!

If you have experienced a college denial, I suggest that you let those emotions wash over you for about 48 hours, and then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and make plans to attend a college that offered you admission. If you weren't accepted by Ivy League schools, the University of California, Stanford, CalPoly or a wide variety of other top schools, take heart - you are in good company. Excellent academic achievers have been turned down from all of those schools too.  Focus on the good stuff - where ARE you going next fall?

Waitlisting is a concept that seems to simply prolong the agony of being turned down at a college. Being waitlisted is not an offer of admission and all students who have been waitlisted should begin making plans to attend a college where they have been formally admitted. If students are admitted from the waitlist, that information might come in after the deadline to submit an intent to enroll at another college. Waitlisted offers could come as late as the week before fall sessions begin. This will make housing, academic advising, orientation complicated. Yes, you will probably lose your deposits at a second choice school, if you accept a late waitlist offer,  but counting on a waistlist option is not sound college planning.

If you've received a denial of admission, and you wish to appeal, do not let the appeal side-track you from making plans to enroll where you have been accepted.

If you wish to appeal, this website offers some examples of an appeal letter and what you need to gather to support a successful appeal. Keep in mind that very few appeals are granted, and it is wise to make plans to attend a school where you have been admitted.