Rebecca Joseph

Executive Director & Founder
getmetocollege.org

Ideally, you applied to a nice range of colleges. I have many kids to whom this happens and they end up better than kids who got into their top school. Look at the colleges on your list and go visit. I had a girl do this and she fell in love with a university that was originally a back up. Many backups have better programs, campuses, and opportunities. You need to give colleges a chance.

Elizabeth PhD

Educational Consultant
The Education Planner

What every student (and parent) needs to hear when a college says "no thanks"

Once upon a time, high school students would hang out by the mailbox hoping for the the delivery of the big fat envelope. If the envelope was small and slim, they might walk around the block a few times before reluctanctly opening it and realizing a vanished college dream. The days of reckoning are now upon us, but the news no longer comes wrapped in paper. By the end of March, high school students...

Maura Kastberg

Executive Director of Student Services
RSC

Being wait listed is not the end...

Indicate to the college that if you are chosen you will attend. No response causes them to drop you from their list. If there has been significant improvement in any part of your record since you applied, ask a teacher or counselor to confirm this in writing, then let the college know. Do not pressure the college with calls or letters. To cover your bases, make a deposit at a college that has offered...

Benjamin Caldarelli

Partner
Princeton College Consulting, LLC

Hopefully your final college list included schools that you were sure to be admitted to and have many of the same qualities that made the first two schools your favorites. Review the aspects of the colleges that attracted you and compare them to the the schools you were admitted to. Many less selective schools have similar features to more selective schools.

Dr. Bruce Neimeyer

CEO/Partner
Global College Search Associates, LLC

Remember to be true to yourself……

This question makes me think there was a disconnect between the student’s academic abilities and the schools when they were chosen. It appears as though both schools were on the more difficult side for the student to get accepted. As a result, this was a real gamble on the part of the student. Be that as it may, I am sure there were several schools that were just below numbers one and two that were...

Andrea Van Niekerk

Remember why backup schools seemed like good choices months earlier

Everyone has a dream school, but in reality that school may say no, or at best, maybe.  Stay on the waitlist then, sending a letter of continued commitment, but also focus on alternatives.  Hopefully you researched diligently and applied only to schools you could imagine attending.  Remind yourself now why a school was on your list - explore the course catalog, Facebook with current students, attend...

Pamela Hampton-Garland

Owner
Scholar Bound

First, my apologies for your outcomes. There is hope. Look at the two schools you desired to attend and compare what was great about them that really made you want to attend....now if your reason is simply name or parental force.....you are in good shape because there are many great schools that most parents would be honored to say their child attended, if it was for a particular major take some time...

Rana Slosberg

Owner
Slosberg College Solutions LLC

Selecting a backup

Hopefully all the colleges you applied to are ones you would be happy attending. If you are not sure what your third choice college is, you may want to: - Sit down and make a list of the important features of college and how your potential colleges compare to that list. - List the academic, social and finacial pros and cons of the potential colleges. - (Re-)visit the potential colleges.

Tyler Burton

President
Burton College Tours

Revisit your list of options

Hopefully your list of schools were all good fits and you have some options. My advice is to do an overnight at some of the schools that you have been accepted to. Do write to the admissions representative of the school that you have been wait listed at and let them know that if admitted off the wait list that you plan to attend. Keep it short and sweet. Keep the wait list school apprised of...

Mitch Clark

Executive Director
College Sherpa

Relieve your waitlist anxiety and make plans to attend one of the backup schools where you have been accepted. Go to the school websites and determine which ones fit your preferences and have the right academic programs for you. Plan campus visits before you make the final commitment to insure your choice is the right fit. Since you don’t know anything about the schools, talk to students who go...