What happens if a student is waitlisted?

Being waitlisted means the student met the school’s admissions standards, but there weren’t enough available spots. Some elite schools admit students from the waitlist as spaces open, while others rarely do. If a student is waitlisted, families should contact the admissions office to express continued interest and ask about the likelihood of acceptance. Schools may consider new academic achievements, updated test scores, or extracurricular accomplishments, so it’s important to provide any meaningful updates. Additionally, students should prepare backup options and consider reapplying the following year if the school remains a top choice. At Cardinal Education, we help families navigate waitlist strategies to improve their chances of acceptance.