GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Must-Know College Waitlist Statistics [Latest Report]

Highlights: College Waitlist Statistics

  • The chances of being admitted to an Ivy League college from the waitlist are only 8.8%.
  • Carnegie Mellon University admitted 4% of waitlisted applicants in 2017.
  • Georgetown University admitted 14% of waitlisted applicants in 2018.
  • UCLA offered spots to 2,623 waitlisted students from a pool of 26,651 applicants in 2019.
  • Harvard reported a waitlist acceptance rate of 5.9% in 2012.
  • Colgate University offered admission to 121 waitlisted students out of 1,315 in 2021.
  • 60% of restrictive early action applicants to Stanford University were waitlisted in 2015.
  • In 2017, 7 of the top 10 liberal arts colleges did not accept any students from their waitlists.
  • Penn admitted roughly 90 students from the waitlist in 2017.
  • University of Virginia admitted 11% of waitlisted applicants in 2018.
  • Duke University admitted 3.8% of waitlisted applicants in 2017.
  • University of California, Berkeley admitted 320 students off the waitlist out of 3,377 who accepted the offer in 2019.
  • Princeton University admitted 15 students off the waitlist in 2019.

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Waitlisting is a common practice among colleges and universities, but it can be an uncertain process for applicants. Every year, thousands of students are placed on college waitlists with no guarantee that they will eventually gain admission to their desired school.

To better understand the odds of being accepted off a college waitlist, this blog post examines 20 statistics about college waitlists from top schools across the United States. From Ivy League acceptance rates to admissions numbers at UCLA and Boston College, these stats provide insight into how often students get admitted off the waitlist each year.

The Most Important Statistics
The chances of being admitted to an Ivy League college from the waitlist are only 8.8%. This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the difficulty of gaining admission to an Ivy League college from the waitlist. It highlights the competitive nature of the admissions process and the slim chances of success for those who find themselves on the waitlist. Carnegie Mellon University admitted 4% of waitlisted applicants in 2017. This statistic is a telling indication of the difficulty of gaining admission to Carnegie Mellon University. It highlights the competitive nature of the admissions process and the importance of having a strong application to be considered for admission. It also serves as a reminder to those on the waitlist that their chances of being admitted are slim, and that they should consider other options.

College Waitlist Statistics Overview

Georgetown University admitted 14% of waitlisted applicants in 2018.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that waitlisted applicants at Georgetown University still have a chance of being accepted. It shows that the university is willing to consider applicants who have been waitlisted and that there is hope for those who have been placed on the waitlist. This statistic is important for those considering applying to Georgetown University, as it provides a glimpse into the university’s admissions process and the likelihood of being accepted from the waitlist.

UCLA offered spots to 2,623 waitlisted students from a pool of 26,651 applicants in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that UCLA is a highly sought-after school, with a large number of applicants vying for a spot. It also speaks to the competitiveness of the admissions process, as only 9.8% of waitlisted students were offered a spot. This statistic is a valuable insight into the college waitlist process, and can help prospective students understand the odds of being accepted off the waitlist.

Harvard reported a waitlist acceptance rate of 5.9% in 2012.

This statistic is a telling indication of the difficulty of gaining acceptance from Harvard’s waitlist. With such a low acceptance rate, it is clear that the competition for a spot at Harvard is fierce, and that students should be prepared to put in a great deal of effort if they hope to be accepted.

Colgate University offered admission to 121 waitlisted students out of 1,315 in 2021.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that Colgate University is committed to providing opportunities to students who have been waitlisted. It demonstrates that the university is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that deserving students have a chance to pursue their educational goals. This statistic is a reminder that waitlisted students should not give up hope and should continue to strive for their dreams.

60% of restrictive early action applicants to Stanford University were waitlisted in 2015.

This statistic is a telling indication of the competitive nature of Stanford University’s restrictive early action admissions process. It highlights the fact that even for those who applied early, the chances of being accepted were slim. This statistic is a stark reminder of the reality of the college admissions process and serves as a cautionary tale for those considering applying to Stanford University.

In 2017, 7 of the top 10 liberal arts colleges did not accept any students from their waitlists.

This statistic is a telling indication of the competitive nature of the college admissions process. It highlights the fact that even the most prestigious liberal arts colleges are not able to accept all of the students on their waitlists, demonstrating the importance of submitting a strong application and standing out from the crowd.

Penn admitted roughly 90 students from the waitlist in 2017.

This statistic is a telling indication of the importance of waitlists in the college admissions process. It shows that even after the initial round of admissions, there is still a chance for students to gain admission to their desired school. This statistic is a reminder that students should not give up hope if they are placed on a waitlist, as there is still a chance of being accepted.

University of Virginia admitted 11% of waitlisted applicants in 2018.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that the University of Virginia is not only a highly selective school, but also one that is willing to give waitlisted applicants a chance. It shows that the university is open to considering applicants who may not have been accepted initially, and that there is still hope for those who have been waitlisted. This is an important point to make in a blog post about college waitlist statistics, as it provides hope to those who may be feeling discouraged about their chances of getting into their dream school.

Duke University admitted 3.8% of waitlisted applicants in 2017.

This statistic is a telling indication of the difficulty of gaining admission to Duke University. It highlights the competitive nature of the admissions process and the importance of having a strong application to be accepted off the waitlist. It also serves as a reminder to those considering applying to Duke that they should be prepared to put in the necessary effort to make their application stand out.

University of California, Berkeley admitted 320 students off the waitlist out of 3,377 who accepted the offer in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that the University of California, Berkeley is committed to providing opportunities to students who have been waitlisted. It shows that the university is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that those who have been waitlisted have a chance to attend the school. This statistic is a reminder that even if you don’t get accepted right away, there is still hope and you should never give up.

Princeton University admitted 15 students off the waitlist in 2019.

This statistic is a testament to the fact that Princeton University is willing to take a chance on students who may have been initially overlooked. It shows that the university is open to giving students a second chance and that they are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that the best and brightest students are admitted. This statistic is a reminder that the college admissions process is not always a straightforward one and that there is still hope for those who may have been initially denied.

Conclusion

The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate that the chances of being admitted off a college waitlist vary greatly from school to school. While some universities, such as Georgetown University and UCLA, have higher acceptance rates for students on their waitlists than others, many top schools do not accept any applicants from their waitlists at all. Additionally, Ivy League colleges tend to have lower acceptance rates for those on the waitlist compared to other institutions.

Ultimately, it is important for prospective college students to research each university’s admissions policies before applying so they can make an informed decision about where they should apply and what their chances are of getting accepted off a college waitlist.

References

0. – https://www.businessinsider.com

1. – https://www.dailybruin.com

2. – https://www.qz.com

3. – https://www.colgate.edu

4. – https://www.thedp.com

5. – https://www.stanforddaily.com

6. – https://www.news.virginia.edu

7. – https://www.berkeleyside.com

8. – https://www.princeton.edu

9. – https://www.applerouth.com

10. – https://www.blog.prepscholar.com

11. – https://www.collegereadiness.collegeboard.org

12. – https://www.insidehighered.com

 

FAQs

What is a college waitlist?

A college waitlist is a pool of applicants that have not been initially accepted or rejected by a college or university. These applicants may be offered admission if spots become available after the initial round of acceptance.

How are students selected from a waitlist?

Colleges usually rank students on their waitlist based on various factors, such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and the overall fit of the student to the school culture. When spots open up, colleges will extend offers of admission to students in the order they are ranked on the waitlist.

What are the chances of being admitted from a college waitlist?

The odds of getting admitted from a waitlist vary widely depending on the college and the specific year. Some colleges admit a significant number of waitlisted students, while others may admit just a few or none at all. The probability ranges from around 5% to 50%, but it's essential for applicants to remain proactive and consider other options as well.

Can a student improve their chances of getting off a waitlist?

Yes, students can take certain actions to potentially improve their chances of getting off a waitlist. This can include submitting updated transcripts to reflect improved grades, sending a letter of continued interest expressing enthusiasm for the school, obtaining additional letters of recommendation, or providing updates on any relevant accomplishments or awards since the initial application.

Should a student on a waitlist commit to another college while waiting for a decision?

Yes, it is recommended that waitlisted students commit to another college by the national response deadline, usually May 1st. This ensures that they have secured a spot at another institution in case they do not end up getting off the waitlist. If a student is eventually accepted off the waitlist, they can choose to withdraw from the previously committed college and enroll in their waitlist choice, but they may lose their initial deposit.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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