It’s the time of year for acceptances – and waitlists. But getting waitlisted is a positive thing, right? All things considered, it is. It shows that the admissions committee recognizes the strengths in your application. Unfortunately, though, getting waitlisted can be mentally more difficult than being rejected, because you find yourself in limbo. What can you expect without a firm “yes” or “no” status? And what should you do in the meantime to maximize your chances of ultimately being accepted? It’s never a sure thing, but here, we offer five tips to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist with an offer in hand.
1. Take stock of your weaknesses.
Think about what you believe the flaws in your candidacy are before you take any further steps. You need to be honest with yourself, but don’t start imagining weaknesses where they don’t exist. As difficult as it is to hear, the admissions process sometimes comes down to numbers, and there aren’t as many spots available as there are qualified applicants. With any shortcoming you identify, ask yourself what you have done to mitigate it and then share this information with the school – but make sure to focus on your takeaways and improvements, not your flaws, when drafting your letter of continued interest (see tip #2).
2. Submit a letter of continued interest.
Every communication you have with the school at this point should highlight an update or recent achievement that is not mentioned in your application, and you should reiterate your interest in the school. You don’t want to flood the admissions office with calls or essays, but a well-written letter (sent via email) can explain what you are doing (or have done) to mitigate your weaknesses, spotlight your accomplishments, and reaffirm both your interest in the program and your reasons for having applied there. Schools want to know that the applicants they accept from the waitlist are truly committed and will actually attend.
3. Proofread all communications with the school!
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, and you don’t want to blow it by being messy.
4. Remember that the waitlist process is a marathon, not a sprint.
A law school’s waitlist process generally begins after its deposit deadlines and can last until the first day of orientation – from April to August. There’s a reason it is called the waitlist. Be prepared to sit tight. And remember that patience is a virtue.
5. Don’t be a stalker.
Do not write or call the admissions office every day. Once you’ve submitted your letter of continued interest, prepare a schedule of correspondence, reaching out to the school approximately once a month. Make sure to follow any guidance the admissions committee gives for how, and how often, to be in contact. When you write to the school, mention anything new that has occurred 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. Every correspondence you have with the admissions office should concern a timely update, so don’t feel compelled to write a letter just because “it’s time.” It’s typically better to say nothing at all than to write just for the sake of writing.
If you are ultimately not accepted to your dream school, you might want to consider starting your studies at a different school and then transferring. If the LSAT or the timing of your application was the problem this year, and you’re able to take a year off and reapply with a new score or earlier in the cycle, go for it.
Being waitlisted at the school of your dreams is undoubtedly frustrating, but it can also be an opportunity! Contact us to schedule a free consultation and learn how Accepted can help you strategically navigate the waitlist process. We can assist you in writing a great letter of continued interest and answer any questions you might have about positioning yourself to get accepted!
Daniel Waldman is a graduate of Harvard Law School and an experienced law school admissions consultant with a background in corporate income tax and large-scale securitization taxation issues.
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