From Admitted to Waitlisted: Decoding College Admission Decisions
At some point after you’ve submitted your applications, admissions decisions will be made, and each college will notify you. The notification timeline varies depending on the type of application: Early Decision/Early Decision 1/Early Decision 2, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admissions.
For Rolling Admissions, applicants hear quickly, sometimes within a few days of applying. Early Action notifications vary-this year, some have heard within a few weeks of applying, but typically decisions are posted from early December to mid-February. Early Decision applicants usually find out in mid-December about that outcome. Regular Decision applicants hear in March-early April.
This post outlines the primary types of college admissions decisions, enabling you to understand what to expect and the implications of each outcome.
1. Accepted (Admitted)
What a great feeling to receive your first college acceptance! An acceptance means the college has offered you a place in the incoming class.
Most schools require admitted students to submit an enrollment deposit by May 1, commonly known as National College Decision Day, unless the school uses a different deadline.
What to do next:
Compare financial aid offers. Some colleges award scholarships when students are admitted; others notify students a few weeks or even months later. Some colleges offer only need-based aid, so if you have no need, no scholarships or grants will be awarded. Are the scholarships renewable? If so, what are the criteria to renew?
Pay attention to communication from the college. There may be additional opportunities for you to apply to or opt in for: Housing, including Living/Learning types; Honors College or Programs; department-specific experiential opportunities, and scholarships. Check the college portals weekly!
Visit campuses (in person or virtually)-certainly important if you’ve never visited the campus before, but even if you have, a second visit can provide clarity about campus fit for you. Many schools offer admitted students days.
Make your final decision before the deadline. Revisit the criteria you identified earlier in the college planning process that are the most important for you.
2. Deferred
A deferral can happen for those who apply Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED). This means the admissions committee is not yet ready to make a final decision and will review your application again during the Regular Decision cycle.
A deferral is not a rejection; you’re still being considered for admission.
Most colleges have clear instructions on what to do if you are deferred.
What to do next:
If requested, submit mid-year grades. If you have applied via the Common Application, your school counselor typically submits a mid-year report that includes your fall term final grades.
Some colleges will accept new information, such as new activities, leadership roles, and/or awards. Some will consider a letter of continued interest. However, some colleges do not want any of those. Check with each college that has deferred you.
Keep your grades up. This is not the time to slack off in school. Senioritis is real. Don’t catch it!
3. Waitlisted
Typically, waitlist decisions are made after the Regular Decision round of admissions offers are posted. Being placed on a waitlist means the college believes you’re qualified but doesn’t have space, at least not yet. If admitted students choose not to attend the college, the college may offer spots to waitlisted students.
However, waitlist admission varies significantly from year to year and isn’t guaranteed. You must commit to one college by the decision deadline. Do not rely on a waitlist admission that may never materialize. Pick the school that has admitted you that appeals to you the most.
What to do next:
Decide whether you want to remain on the waitlist. Some colleges automatically add waitlisted applicants to the waitlist. Other schools ask you to opt in and usually set a deadline for doing so.
Deposit at another school by the deadline so you have a solid option for freshman year, in case the waitlist doesn’t work out
4. Denied (Not Admitted)
If a college denies your application, it means they won’t be offering you admission this cycle. While disappointing, this decision is final.
College admissions are competitive, and a denial is not a reflection of your worth or future opportunities.
What to do next:
Focus on other great options on your list. Celebrate the acceptances you receive. Embrace the places where you have been admitted.
Appealing a denial is usually a no-win proposition. Applicants who have been deferred or waitlisted are the ones the colleges will focus on for admissions.
5. *Conditional or Provisional Admission
Some colleges offer admission with specific requirements attached. As long as you meet these requirements, your admission is secure. These can include: Maintaining a certain GPA through senior year, completing missing prerequisites, participating in the college’s summer or bridge program, and enrolling in academic support or mentoring programs. As long as you meet the conditions, your spot is secure.
What to do next:
Carefully review the conditions and deadlines
Stay connected with the admissions office or support staff
*Every admission offer is conditional. The college you decide to attend and deposit with will want a final transcript after high school graduation (usually by July 1). Your grades should be in line with the grades they reviewed for admission, with no significant drop in academic performance.
Keep in Mind
College admissions decisions can spark a range of emotions, including excitement, relief, uncertainty, frustration, or disappointment. But each decision is just one step in a much larger journey. No single acceptance or rejection determines your future.
What matters most is finding a college where you believe you will feel supported, challenged, and able to thrive. Focus on schools that are the best fit for you academically, socially, and financially.
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