If you have been put on a waiting list for a university or universities that you prefer to the ones you have already been admitted to:

• Get on the waiting list(s) immediately. You may stay on as many as you like.

• If you are on more than one waiting list, prioritize them in order.

• Let your counselor know which college, for which you are on the waiting list, is your first choice. Tell your counselor why you are so eager to go there and any new personal accomplishments that we should know about.

• Contact the college(s) telling them the follow: (a.) That you would definitely attend if admitted (first-choice school only); (b.) New accomplishments since you applied or last contacted them; (c.) What excites you about the school and/or program. Reiterate that if you have already told them.

• Keep your grades up. Universities sometimes ask for second semester grades for applicants they are considering from the waiting list.

• Wait patiently. Colleges cannot take anyone from the waiting list until they see that not enough applicants will accept offers to fill the incoming freshmen class. This generally happens after the May 1 deadline for submitting deposits. Sometimes universities will take students from the waiting list through the summer as they lose people who may have been taken off waiting lists at other universities.

In the meantime, get excited about your favorite college to which you have been accepted. Pay your deposit and hope for the best.