Understanding Wait List Activity

We have not yet made a final decision on the use of the wait list, though it still appears unlikely. I'm sure many out there reading this are a bit confused on how it's May 9 and we still aren't positive about it. I thought I would take a quick minute to explain.

Colleges and universities all affect each other throughout the wait list period. Our class can come in (offered students accepting their spot in the class) right on target, but if one school is short and needs to extend more offers by using the wait list, the other schools likely will then lose a few students to that other school. There is a domino effect. If student A really wanted to go to school A, but paid a deposit to school B because they were wait listed at school A, when school A falls short of their goals and uses their wait list, inviting student A to join their class, school B could then be down a student.

Take several colleges and universities who overlap in applications doing this, and you have a lot more movement between colleges.

So, while it may appear like we have a final class at this point, because of wait list activity at other schools, we just aren't sure how many will be going and coming. While it might appear like that could be a never ending process, there is a limit to the number of students able to just pick up and switch schools in May. Not all have the financial flexibility. Not all are offered aid from the school from which they just got off the wait list. Not all are willing to change their mind - once they pay their deposit they have made a final decision. And there are more stories, I'm sure.

I hope this helps - if you have any questions, feel free to post a comment and I'll respond as soon as I can, or contact the regional admissions counselor in our office. I know it can be confusing, so reaching out to us is perfectly fine.