This is the moment students wait for: to open their letter of admission and read the words, “We are pleased to inform you that you have been offered a spot in the upcoming class of…” Except this time it reads something different. It is a wait list letter. Students who have been wait listed from their top choice college or university must make the decision of keeping their “dream school” in mind or taking the often advised option of applying to other colleges as well.

“I think it would be a wise idea for students who have been wait listed to make sure they’ve applied to other schools,” counselor Elizabeth Elsesser said. “That way, they at least have other acceptances ready, especially if it gets to that point they think they should make a decision and go for it.”

U of M: After being wait listed only .006% attend the university
Michigan State: no wait list
Central: no wait list
Oakland: no wait list
Eastern Michigan: no wait list

After a college has looked at a student’s application, they sometimes decide they currently do not have an open spot in their upcoming class. They often request that their counselor submits an official copy of their seventh semester transcript for the college to review. In the application process, students find their seventh semester grades to influence the decision of a college accepting them or not.

“When you’re wait listed, there will be a list of the things the colleges look for,” Elsesser said. “Usually, if they are looking for anything else, it’s that they want to see higher grades, better test scores or maybe they want you to retake the SAT and bring up your score. Then they may consider again. So certainly, looking to see whatever the colleges have said about what they need to see from you is helpful.”

Only a sliver of students who have been wait listed are eventually admitted to the college that did not initially accept them. However, this is not the result for all students who find themselves wait listed, some students find themselves indecisive when it comes to choosing their next step.

“While some continue to hold out hope for acceptance to their desired college,” Elsesser said. “At a certain point they have to decide if they want to keep waiting and waiting or if you need to look at some place else and make a decision.”

Colleges require students make their final decisions by May 1. If students currently wait listed by a college or university have any questions about the matter, they should meet with their counselor to discuss options for college decisions and preparation.