Now that the May 1st college decision deadline has passed.
May 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
Most high school seniors sigh in relief as they celebrate their final college choices.
But if your student is still on a waitlist, this period can feel less like a celebration and more like limbo.
Let me be clear: being waitlisted is not a rejection. It’s a “not yet.” And while the uncertainty can feel frustrating, this period can still be used productively and strategically.
Here’s how to make the most of this time while keeping your options open and your student’s mindset healthy:
Step 1: Celebrate the School You’ve Committed To
Even if your student hopes for a waitlist offer, they should have already deposited at another college by May 1. That’s their official home for now, and it deserves some love.
Encourage your student to start investing emotionally and logistically in this choice.
Attend admitted student events (if they haven’t already), explore housing options, and join online groups to connect with future classmates. This will help your student feel confident and excited, regardless of what happens with the waitlist.
For parents, talk about the school they committed to as their real future, not just a placeholder. If the waitlist turns into an offer, that’s the icing on the cake, not the cake itself.
Step 2: Follow Waitlist Instructions Carefully
Each college has its own rules for how students should engage with the waitlist.
Some require students to opt-in formally via their applicant portal. Others may request additional materials like:
🔹A Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
🔹Updated grades or transcripts
🔹New test scores
🔹Additional recommendation letters (if allowed).
Take a moment to visit each college’s admissions page or portal. It’s important to ensure that you have followed all instructions carefully. Don’t leave your spot unconfirmed by accident.
Step 3: Write a Strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
If permitted, a LOCI is one of the most effective tools to demonstrate ongoing enthusiasm and a strong fit with the school.
What to include in a LOCI:
🔹A clear, respectful statement that the college remains your top choice.
🔹One or two specific academic or community aspects that excite you.
🔹Updates on recent academic or extracurricular achievements.
🔹A reaffirmation of why you believe the school is the right place for your goals.
Example:
“I’ve recently taken on a leadership role as president of the STEM club and was selected for a summer internship at a local research lab. These opportunities have further fueled my desire to study engineering at [College Name], especially given your school’s hands-on undergraduate research programs.”
Keep it concise.
Focus on delivering your message in 3–4 impactful paragraphs, and ensure you build on, rather than repeat, your original college application.
Step 4: Provide Meaningful Updates
If allowed, you can share updates beyond a LOCI. These might include:
🔹Third-quarter or midterm grades.
🔹New awards, honors, or leadership roles.
🔹Notable community service or job experiences.
🔹Test score improvements.
🔹Portfolios or artistic work (if relevant to major).
If you have any updates to share, please check the admissions portal or email your regional admissions representative.
A polite note with your attached documents will go a long way. Just ensure that what you’re sharing is relevant and timely, not just filler.
Step 5: Stay Academically and Personally Strong
College waitlist decisions can come as late as June or July, but remember that your academic journey continues.
Even a slight dip in spring grades can impact your chances.
🔹Stay on top of your schoolwork.
🔹Maintain positive relationships with teachers and counselors.
🔹Keep building your resume with volunteer work, club involvement, or work experience.
Even when you feel emotionally drained, your effort and consistency matter immensely for waitlists, scholarship reviews, and future opportunities. Keep pushing forward!
Step 6: Invest in the School You’ve Chosen
While waiting, don’t put your future on hold.
Start getting excited about the school where you’ve paid your deposit. Research clubs, programs, or majors you want to explore.
This shift in mindset is essential. You are starting to plant your roots now.
Whether you stay at this school or transfer later, getting involved right away will help you make the most of your experience, no matter where you end up.
Step 7: Prepare Emotionally for Any Outcome
Colleges may not make waitlist offers until after May 1, and sometimes not until late summer.
Some will not admit anyone from the waitlist at all. This doesn’t reflect your student’s worth, potential, or future.
It’s a math game driven by unpredictable yield rates.
Encourage your student to honor their accomplishments and remind them that college is what you make of it, not where your name appears on a bumper sticker.
Many students go on to transfer, thrive in honors programs, or discover unexpected opportunities at their “Plan B” school that turns out to be better than Plan A.
To every student still in limbo, you’ve done the hard work. You’ve earned options.
And whether the waitlist becomes a yes or not, your future is still full of possibilities.
Keep showing up, keep growing, and trust that this process will unfold just as it should.
Do you need guidance on navigating the waitlist or preparing for your first year of college? Our team at the College Planning Center is here to help. Schedule a free consultation, and let’s make this final stretch as empowering as the journey ahead.
Special thanks to Christopher Parsons for writing this blog post.
Christopher has a strong educational background, including Doctoral studies in English Literature and Creative Writing, a Master’s Degree in English, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and History. He also has a background in Mass Communications and Public Relations/Marketing.
He has successfully won scholarship offers from prestigious schools and over $250,000 in grants and scholarships. His real-world personal experience resonates well with today’s students.
