It’s the time of year for acceptances – and waitlists. What can you do if you are waitlisted at the law school of your dreams? Here, we offer seven tips to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist and ultimately accepted.
1. Keep your expectations realistic.
Getting waitlisted is positive, right? All things considered, it is. It shows that the admissions committee recognizes the strengths in your application. Unfortunately, getting waitlisted can be mentally harder than getting rejected, because you find yourself in limbo. What can you expect without a firm “yes” or “no” status? And while there are certainly things you can do to maximize your chances of getting accepted to a top law school off the waitlist, it’s not a sure thing. Often, it comes down to numbers, and there aren’t enough spaces for everyone, even highly qualified candidates.
2. Take stock of your weaknesses.
Think about what you believe the weaknesses of your candidacy are before you take any further steps. Be honest, but don’t imagine weaknesses where they don’t exist. As hard as it is to hear, sometimes, the admissions process is about numbers, and there aren’t always as many spots available as there are qualified applicants. With any weakness you identify, ask yourself what you have done to mitigate it. Make sure to share this information with the school in your letter of continued interest. Which brings us to our next tip…
3. Submit a letter of continued interest.
Everything you do at this point should highlight a recent achievement that is not mentioned in your application and reiterate your interest in the particular law school to which you are writing. You don’t want to flood the admissions office with letters or essays, but a well-written letter (sent via email) can address your weaknesses, shine a spotlight on your accomplishments, and reaffirm your interest in the program. A school will likely take a second look at a candidate who has concrete reasons for attending its program, and schools want to know that the applicants they accept from the waitlist will actually attend.
4. Proofread!
You don’t want to send any correspondence that’s sloppy, rambling, or filled with errors. This is your last chance to make a good impression, so don’t blow it by being messy.
5. Remember that the waitlist process is a marathon, not a sprint.
The waitlist process generally begins after the deposit deadlines for law schools and can last until the first day of orientation – from April to August. There is a reason it is called the waitlist. Be prepared to wait. And patience is a virtue, which leads to our next tip…
6. Don’t be a stalker.
Do not write or call the admissions office daily. Once you’ve submitted your letter of continued interest, prepare a schedule of correspondence, reaching out just once a month – or every three weeks at the most – and be sure to follow any guidance the school gives for how, and how often, to be in contact. When you write, be sure to mention anything new that has come up since you filed your LSAC application or since your previous outreach, such as a new honor, a new internship, a new job, or a promotion. All correspondence with admissions should concern a timely update.
7. Consider transferring or taking a year off.
If you didn’t get accepted to your dream school, you might want to consider starting at a different school and then transferring. If the LSAT or the timing of your application was the problem this year, and you are in a position where you can take a year off and reapply with a new score or earlier in the cycle, go for it.
While being waitlisted at the school of your dreams can be frustrating, remember that it can also be an opportunity! Reach out for a free consultation to learn how Accepted can help you navigate the waitlist process. We are available to assist you in writing a great letter of continued interest and to answer any questions you might have about positioning yourself to get accepted!
Sadie Polen has more than ten years of experience in higher education. She reviewed statements of purpose, personal statements, and resumes for political and public service opportunities and made candidate selections for elite programs at Harvard University. She also has experience advising individuals on their career and post-graduation plans. Sadie holds a BS from UC Davis, an EdM from Harvard, and a DEI certificate from Cornell. Want Sadie to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch.
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