Yes, You Can Still Be Accepted Off the Waitlist—Even After May 1
As College Decision Day (May 1) approaches, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions—relief, excitement, and maybe a little uncertainty too.
One of the most common questions we hear this time of year is: "What should I do if I’ve committed to my second- or third-choice college, but I’m still on the waitlist for my dream school?" If that’s where you find yourself, take a deep breath. You’re in a strong position—and there’s still time for things to move in your favor.
The reality is that colleges can and do admit students off the waitlist well after May 1. Universities like Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Emory, and UC Berkeley have openly shared that they routinely extend waitlist offers through June, July, and even early August—sometimes just weeks before classes begin. At some colleges, up to 10–20% of the freshman class can come from the waitlist, depending on enrollment patterns.
If you want to stay ready and maximize your chances, here’s what you should be focusing on right now:
1. Secure Your Spot—Even If It’s Not Your First Choice (Yet)
First, accept an offer at a college where you’ve been admitted and submit your deposit by May 1. Choosing your best available option is a strategic move—and it leaves you flexible if new opportunities arise later.
While it’s natural to hesitate, remember: a deposit is about keeping doors open, not closing them. If your dream school admits you later, you’ll simply forfeit the deposit (typically a few hundred dollars)—a small price for the chance to enroll where you truly want to be.
This is not a step backward. It’s an act of forward momentum.
2. Keep Your Momentum Going—Colleges Are Still Watching
After depositing, it might be tempting to relax. But colleges, including those considering you from the waitlist, will still review your final high school transcript.
Finishing strong matters. Admissions committees use final grades as a "gut check"—confirming that students finish what they start with focus and commitment. Think of this spring as your overtime period. When the pressure is highest, the strongest players stay sharp.
3. Share New Wins That Strengthen Your Story
If you’ve earned new awards, leadership roles, or recognitions this spring, it’s a smart move to send a respectful update to any colleges where you’re waitlisted.
Strong updates might include:
Winning a regional, state, or national competition
Receiving an academic or leadership award
Leading a major initiative, event, or research project
Publishing original work or earning notable community recognition
In our blog Deferred? Waitlisted? Here’s How to Craft the Statement That Gets You In, we explain how an authentic update—short, specific, and positive—can remind admissions officers why you’re an excellent fit.
4. Stay Ready—And Stay Hopeful
Waiting isn’t easy. It takes patience, optimism, and belief that the effort you’re putting in still matters.
It’s worth remembering: at many colleges, the waitlist is unranked. Admissions offices evaluate waitlisted students dynamically based on their evolving needs—majors, demographics, class balance—throughout the summer.
Staying ready and responsive can make a real difference.
In the meantime, continue building connections at the college where you’ve deposited. Participate in orientation events, housing selection, and community activities. But stay flexible too—sometimes, the call or email comes just when you’ve begun to settle in.
At Ivy Link, we help students stay ready, strategic, and confident through every stage of admissions—including the waitlist process. If you’d like expert support crafting your next move, we’re here for you.
