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When you get waitlisted for a college, it simply means that you have met all of the rigorous requirements for admission, but unfortunately, there is not quite enough space in the incoming class right now. You are placed on a waitlist to see if someone decides to drop out or if more spaces naturally open up. On the other hand, if you get deferred, it means the admissions committee has decided not to accept you during the early round, but they want to reconsider your application during the regular admissions cycle. Deferment usually happens because your grades or test scores might not be quite strong enough in one specific area, but they see your incredible potential and want to give you another look.
If you find yourself on a waitlist, it is so important to remember that waitlist spots often fill up organically as time goes on. If the waitlist process drags on for more than a week or two, you do not necessarily need to sit around waiting for a response. It is also worth noting that some larger universities can have waitlists of over 5,000 students! If you get waitlisted, it is often a very smart, proactive move to look into attending college elsewhere while you simultaneously appeal the waitlist decision. Always keep your wonderful options open!
If you get deferred instead of waitlisted, this is your chance to shine! It means that while you did not quite meet everything they were looking for initially, they are eager to reconsider you in the next admissions cycle if something in your profile improves. So, if you choose to retake your standardized tests or work hard to improve your grades, wait until after the deferral period to have those new, improved scores sent in. Deferred students should typically wait about a month before sending new transcripts or test scores unless there is a specific requirement from the college. Colleges love to see that upward trajectory!
When it comes to getting waitlisted or deferred, there are several proactive things you can do to boost your chances. For waitlisted students, the best thing to do is patiently wait and see if any spots open up while exploring your backup options. For deferred students, the absolute best strategy is to retake tests or improve your grades to show undeniable academic growth. If you are a transfer student, both waitlisted and deferred students should absolutely avoid withdrawing from their current college, as this will unfortunately look bad on your academic records. Keep pushing forward where you are!
Navigating the waitlist or deferral process can feel complicated, but I promise it is worth exploring every option while you wait. First, look into other fantastic colleges! If waitlisting becomes too stressful or you just do not want to wait, it is always worth falling in love with another school on your list. Second, retake the ACT or SAT and focus on your grades. This is the absolute best way for deferred students to show that they are still deeply interested in the school and have the potential to be accepted. Finally, wait until after the deferral period before sending in those new transcripts, unless they specifically ask for them sooner.
If you feel that the waitlisting or deferral process has simply become too complicated, the absolute best thing you can do is talk with your high school counselor or an expert college consultant about your next steps. We are here to help gently guide you through the waitlist process and ease those totally normal worries. Keep in mind that most colleges only have room for a very specific number of students, so even if you are waitlisted or deferred, there is still a very good chance that you will get into your top choice school. Make sure to stay positive, keep up those amazing grades throughout the rest of high school, and give yourself the absolute best chance possible!