Got Waitlisted at a College? Here Is Exactly What to Do Next
I’ve helped students get off waitlists at schools where the odds seemed impossible. The difference is almost always in what happens after you get the letter.
Figuring out college waitlist what to do is a question thousands of seniors are facing right now. The letter is confusing. The odds can feel unclear. And May 1 is coming regardless of where you are on a waitlist.
Here is exactly what to do, step by step.
Step One: Accept Your Waitlist Position (If You Still Want In)
When you get a waitlist notification, the school will usually ask if you want to remain on the waitlist. If you do, confirm it. If you don’t respond, you may be removed.
Do this within 48 hours. Not because the school is moving fast, but because your prompt response signals genuine interest.
If the school is not actually your first choice at this point, it’s okay to decline the waitlist. This frees up a spot for another student and lets you move on clearly.
How to Write a LOCI: Letter of Continued Interest
A LOCI is a one-page letter you send to the admissions office after you’ve been waitlisted. It does three things: tells the school you’re still genuinely interested, shares any meaningful updates to your application, and reinforces why you’re a strong fit.
Strong LOCIs are specific. “I’m still very interested” is not a LOCI. “Since submitting my application, I’ve been named captain of the robotics team and our group won the state championship. I want to bring that work to your engineering program specifically because of Professor X’s research on Y” is a LOCI.
Keep it to one page. Send it to the regional admissions officer assigned to your school or state, not the general admissions email. Email is fine. Address it to a real person.
How to Evaluate Waitlist Odds
Waitlist outcomes vary dramatically by school and year. Elite schools like Harvard and Yale admit under 1% of waitlisted students in most years. Highly selective schools in the 10-30% range admit more, sometimes 5-15%.
The Common Data Set (CDS) for each school, which you can find by searching “[school name] common data set PDF,” lists historical waitlist data including how many students were offered a spot and how many were ultimately admitted.
Look at Section C2 of the CDS. That data tells you whether the waitlist is historically active at a given school or rarely used.
For UC-specific waitlist strategy, see my post on UC waitlist: what it means and what to do.
Deposit Elsewhere Before May 1. This Is Not Optional.
Being waitlisted does not excuse you from the May 1 deposit deadline. You must deposit at a school where you were fully admitted before May 1.
Some families hold everything for the waitlist and end up with nowhere to go. This is one of the most avoidable outcomes in college admissions. Deposit at your best admitted school. You can always change plans if the waitlist comes through.
Yes, you’ll likely lose the deposit ($200-$500) if you later choose the waitlist school. That is a small price compared to having no confirmed enrollment. Pay the deposit. Protect your options.
What Happens After May 1 on a Waitlist
Schools know how many students deposited after May 1. If they’re short on enrollment targets (especially in specific majors or demographics), they start calling or emailing waitlisted students.
Waitlist activity typically happens in May and early June. Some schools go deep into June. A few reach out over the summer for students who haven’t enrolled elsewhere.
Respond immediately if you get a waitlist offer. Schools expect a response within 24-72 hours. Hesitation on your end can result in the spot going to the next student on the list.
Managing the Emotional Wait as a Family
Waitlisted students often feel suspended. They’ve done everything right and are still waiting on someone else’s decision. That’s genuinely hard.
Here is what I tell families: commit emotionally to your deposited school. Show up to admitted student events. Connect with your future roommate. Get excited about where you’re going. This is not giving up on the waitlist. It’s making sure your student has somewhere they’re excited about, regardless of the waitlist outcome.
Students who fall in love with their deposited school and then get waitlist news face a genuinely good problem. They get to choose. That’s much better than being unhappy for months and then not getting the news you hoped for.
Frequently Asked Questions: College Waitlist What to Do
What is a LOCI letter and should I send one?
A LOCI is a Letter of Continued Interest. You should send one if you remain genuinely interested in the school and have meaningful updates to share. Make it specific, one page, and addressed to a real person. It can make a difference at schools where waitlist decisions are close.
Should I call the admissions office if I’m waitlisted?
A brief, professional phone call expressing continued interest is appropriate. Ask if there’s anything additional you can submit. Do not call multiple times or pressure the admissions team. One professional touchpoint is fine.
Can I get off a college waitlist?
Yes. Students do get off waitlists. The probability varies by school and year. Check the Common Data Set for historical waitlist data. Schools that actively use their waitlists most years are more promising than those that rarely admit from it.
What if I get waitlisted at my first choice and get in somewhere else I love?
Deposit at the school where you were admitted. Attend admitted student events. Start getting excited. Remain on the waitlist if you want. But don’t put your life on hold for a maybe when you have a yes in hand.
Can being on a waitlist affect my enrollment at a different school?
No. Admissions decisions are confidential. The school where you deposited does not know about your waitlist status elsewhere. Just make sure that if you receive a waitlist offer, you can respond quickly and withdraw your deposit at the other school promptly.
Tony Le is a former UC Berkeley Admissions Reader and UCLA Outreach Director with 15+ years of college admissions coaching experience. A full-ride scholarship recipient to UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UCI, Tony has helped 500+ students get into top universities including Stanford, Harvard, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Columbia. Featured in the Wall Street Journal. Official TikTok College Admissions Educational Partner. Founder of egelloC. Follow on TikTok @coachtonyle.
Tony works with a small number of families each year. Book a free strategy call to see if it’s a good fit.
UC Berkeley vs UCLA: How to Actually Choose Between Them
Families get into both UC Berkeley and UCLA and then freeze.
Everyone around them has an opinion. Rankings say one thing. The internet says another. The family ends up more confused than before. I want to cut through that and focus on what actually helps students make the right call.
I am writing this for a California family admitted to or seriously considering both UC Berkeley and UCLA. If that is you, keep reading. I want to give you a clear, honest answer in plain English without hype or vague consultant language.
What I want you to understand first
A lot of college admissions stress comes from getting general advice that does not fit your specific situation. The goal here is not to overwhelm you with information. It is to help you think clearly about one decision and make a better move because of it.
That is the frame I want you to hold as you read. Practical thinking applied to your actual student and your actual family. Not a template. Not a ranking obsession. A real decision made with clear eyes.
They are different schools with different cultures
Berkeley tends to run more independent, intellectually aggressive, and research-focused. UCLA tends to feel warmer in social culture, stronger in undergraduate experience, and more tied to the broader Los Angeles ecosystem. Neither is better. They are genuinely different environments.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Major and department matter more than the school name
For some fields, Berkeley is clearly stronger. For others, UCLA has the edge. A student picking between them should research the specific department they are entering, not just the overall ranking.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Location affects four years of your life
Berkeley is a dense college town in the East Bay. UCLA is embedded in Los Angeles, close to industries, internships, and a very different social scene. That geography shapes everything from weekend culture to career opportunities to what kind of person you become.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Talk to students who went there for your major
Rankings and family opinions are blunt instruments. The students who graduated from your intended major at each campus are much better sources. Ask them what they wish they had known.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Do not let the name make the decision
Some families default to whichever name sounds more impressive. That is the wrong framework. The right question is which campus fits this specific student's learning style, intended major, social preferences, and career direction.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
What to do with this in the next two weeks
If you want to turn this into action, start with one honest conversation at home. What does your student actually know about this topic? What does the family need to decide? Identify the single next step and write it down. One clear action beats five vague intentions every time.
I also recommend keeping a shared document for college planning. One place for deadlines, questions, research, and decisions. That one habit prevents a surprising amount of chaos, especially in senior fall.
More reading on CoachTonyLe.com
- How to Get Into UCLA: The Complete 2026 Guide
- What GPA Do You Need for UCLA in 2026?
- What Do UC Berkeley Admissions Officers Actually Look For?
Authoritative resources
If you want help building a smart college admissions strategy without the panic, apply to work with my team at egelloC.com/apply.
Frequently asked questions
Is UC Berkeley harder to get into than UCLA?
It varies by major. In some fields Berkeley is more selective; in others UCLA is. Check the actual admit rates for your intended major.
Is UCLA better for pre-med?
UCLA has strong pre-health programs and medical school proximity. Berkeley is also rigorous but structured differently. Depends on the student.
Which UC has better social life?
Depends what you value. Berkeley has a dense campus-town culture. UCLA has a larger social and campus recreation infrastructure.
Does it matter which one you put first on the UC application?
No. The UC application does not allow preference ranking, and campuses review independently.
Should geography influence the choice?
Strongly yes. Four years in the Bay Area is a very different experience from four years in Los Angeles.
Tony Le is a college admissions coach and founder of egelloC. A former UC Berkeley Admissions Reader, he helps California families build clear application strategies, make better decisions under pressure, and find the right schools without unnecessary stress.
If you want the shortest version of all of this, here it is. Make the move that helps your student and protects your family from unnecessary chaos. That is almost always the right admissions decision.
The Activities List Mistakes That Sink Otherwise Strong Applications
I read a lot of application activities sections that do not match the strength of the student sitting in front of me.
The student has genuinely done things. They have shown up, led, and built things. But the activities list makes them look thin. That gap between who the student is and what the list shows is fixable, and fixing it matters.
I am writing this for a student or parent reviewing the Common App activities section. If that is you, keep reading. I want to give you a clear, honest answer in plain English without hype or vague consultant language.
What I want you to understand first
A lot of college admissions stress comes from getting general advice that does not fit your specific situation. The goal here is not to overwhelm you with information. It is to help you think clearly about one decision and make a better move because of it.
That is the frame I want you to hold as you read. Practical thinking applied to your actual student and your actual family. Not a template. Not a ranking obsession. A real decision made with clear eyes.
Listing what you did instead of what you built
Participation is not impact. The activities section wants to know what you did, what changed because of you, and what it took to make that happen. Write outcomes, not attendance.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Filling lines with activities that do not tell a story
A list with twelve unrelated activities in no particular priority order does not say anything coherent about you. I would rather see eight activities with a clear narrative thread than twelve that cancel each other out.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Using the description space for a title, not content
Most students write a one-line activity description when they have 150 characters to explain impact, scope, and contribution. Use the characters. They are free. Readers notice when they are wasted.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Not updating the list for senior year additions
Continuation of an activity into senior year often signals commitment and leadership that was not there before. Do not let the list freeze at junior year when something important has kept growing.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Listing activities in the wrong order
Common App lets you sequence activities. The most important ones belong at the top. Not the most prestigious-sounding ones. The ones that matter most to your story and show the most depth.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
What to do with this in the next two weeks
If you want to turn this into action, start with one honest conversation at home. What does your student actually know about this topic? What does the family need to decide? Identify the single next step and write it down. One clear action beats five vague intentions every time.
I also recommend keeping a shared document for college planning. One place for deadlines, questions, research, and decisions. That one habit prevents a surprising amount of chaos, especially in senior fall.
More reading on CoachTonyLe.com
- Common App Activities Section: How to Make Your Extracurriculars Stand Out
- What Extracurriculars Do UC Schools Actually Look For?
- College Supplemental Essays: How to Write the Why Us That Actually Lands
Authoritative resources
If you want help building a smart college admissions strategy without the panic, apply to work with my team at egelloC.com/apply.
Frequently asked questions
How many activities should a student have on the Common App?
Quality over quantity. Eight to ten meaningful activities with clear descriptions outperform twelve vague ones.
Should every activity have a leadership title?
No. Depth and commitment matter more than titles. Show what you actually contributed.
What should a student do if their list feels thin?
Audit it honestly. Sometimes activities are missing because they were not recorded, not because they were not real. Informal roles, community work, and family obligations can all count.
Can a student include a job or family responsibility as an activity?
Absolutely. Paid work and family contributions are legitimate and often impressive parts of a student's story.
When should students finalize their activities list?
Well before the submission deadline so a trusted reader can give real feedback on what is missing.
Tony Le is a college admissions coach and founder of egelloC. A former UC Berkeley Admissions Reader, he helps California families build clear application strategies, make better decisions under pressure, and find the right schools without unnecessary stress.
If you want the shortest version of all of this, here it is. Make the move that helps your student and protects your family from unnecessary chaos. That is almost always the right admissions decision.
The Truth About Demonstrated Interest and Which Schools Actually Track It
Families spend a lot of energy worrying about demonstrated interest without knowing which schools it actually affects.
The advice they get is usually too broad. Some counselors say visit everywhere. Others say it never matters. The honest answer is more specific than either of those.
I am writing this for a parent trying to figure out whether campus visits actually matter for admissions. If that is you, keep reading. I want to give you a clear, honest answer in plain English without hype or vague consultant language.
What I want you to understand first
A lot of college admissions stress comes from getting general advice that does not fit your specific situation. The goal here is not to overwhelm you with information. It is to help you think clearly about one decision and make a better move because of it.
That is the frame I want you to hold as you read. Practical thinking applied to your actual student and your actual family. Not a template. Not a ranking obsession. A real decision made with clear eyes.
Demonstrated interest is school-specific
Some colleges use it as a meaningful signal. Others, especially large public universities and need-blind schools, do not track it at all. The UC system does not consider it. Knowing the difference is worth your time.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
What counts as demonstrated interest at schools that track it
Opening emails, registering on portals, attending virtual sessions, campus visits, and early application timelines all tend to count at schools that watch for it. What matters most varies by school. Look up each college's Common Data Set to see if interest is "considered" in their review.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
The visit is still worth it for your student
Even if a school does not track demonstrated interest, campus visits help your student make a better decision. I care about that as much as the admissions angle. A student who has been on campus writes a stronger Why Us essay and makes a clearer choice in April.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
Focus energy on schools where it moves the needle
For small private colleges where demonstrated interest is "important" or "very important" in the Common Data Set, this is worth treating seriously. For large public universities, put that energy into your application instead.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
One concrete action per realistic school
If a college on your list clearly tracks demonstrated interest, I recommend one visible, genuine action per semester. A campus tour, a virtual info session, an email to admissions with a real question. Not performance. Actual engagement.
When I work through this with families, the goal is always the same: remove the noise and focus on what is actually true for this student. A lot of bad decisions in college planning come from reacting to what other families are doing instead of what makes sense for your own situation.
The families that navigate this well are not necessarily the ones with the smartest students or the biggest budgets. They are the ones who make clear, early decisions and keep following through. That discipline matters more than most people realize.
What to do with this in the next two weeks
If you want to turn this into action, start with one honest conversation at home. What does your student actually know about this topic? What does the family need to decide? Identify the single next step and write it down. One clear action beats five vague intentions every time.
I also recommend keeping a shared document for college planning. One place for deadlines, questions, research, and decisions. That one habit prevents a surprising amount of chaos, especially in senior fall.
More reading on CoachTonyLe.com
- How to Narrow Your College List from 20 Schools to the Right 12
- College Supplemental Essays: How to Write the Why Us That Actually Lands
- How to Narrow Your College List From 20 Schools to 12
Authoritative resources
If you want help building a smart college admissions strategy without the panic, apply to work with my team at egelloC.com/apply.
Frequently asked questions
Do UC schools consider demonstrated interest?
No. The UC system does not use demonstrated interest in its review process.
How do I know if a college tracks demonstrated interest?
Check the Common Data Set for that school. Look at Section C7 for what factors are considered in admissions.
Does emailing admissions help?
At schools that track engagement, a thoughtful email with a real question can register. A generic email does nothing.
Do virtual college fairs count as demonstrated interest?
At many schools yes, if you register with your name and email through the school's system.
Should students visit a school before applying?
Visit if you can. It helps your student write better essays and make a better decision, regardless of admissions tracking.
Tony Le is a college admissions coach and founder of egelloC. A former UC Berkeley Admissions Reader, he helps California families build clear application strategies, make better decisions under pressure, and find the right schools without unnecessary stress.
If you want the shortest version of all of this, here it is. Make the move that helps your student and protects your family from unnecessary chaos. That is almost always the right admissions decision.