- Big shift in weather is headed to California. Here’s a timeline for what...
- Exclusive: One of S.F.’s biggest companies is vacating its huge downtown...
- Bay Area housing project on the rocks after developer calls residents...
- The Cliff House was once a colossal Victorian mansion — that met a...
- Abrupt closure of S.F. wine startup leaves customers with thousands of...
- Stanford preschool teacher held on suspicion of murder
- S.F. has one of the most spectacular sites in the world, but it’s often...
- Regulators rushing to sell S.F.’s First Republic Bank amid fears of...
- Dynasty on the ropes? Predictions, analysis ahead of Warriors-Kings Game 7
- Two more S.F. tech companies have mass layoffs; one blames rise of AI
- UC admissions: What are the odds of getting off the wait list at UCLA,...
Most Popular
// California
Danielle Echeverria
As college-bound high school seniors spend the month of April deciding where the next four years will take them, many hoping to attend a University of California school in the fall are left in limbo — on the waiting list.
- More on UC admissions: UCLA’s acceptance rate has plunged in recent years. These charts show how all UCs compare
It’s a tense waiting game with unpredictable odds, and for many students it may be months before they know where they’ll be attending in the fall.
Data from the past three UC admissions cycle show just how much the odds of success can vary from year to year and from campus to campus.
For example, in fall 2022, the more selective campuses, like UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC San Diego, also tended to be selective about their waiting lists.
UCBerkeley accepted only 1% of students from the 2022 waiting list: 48 of the 4,650 students who opted in. UCLA’s rate was nearly as low, with 3.3% of waiting list applicants accepted, though the actual numbers were higher: 372 of 11,169 students who opted in. UC San Diego accepted 6.7% of waiting list applicants: 2,401 of 36,137 opt-ins.
Other campuses had higher percentages of wait-listed students admitted: UC Santa Cruz accepted 13%, UC Davis accepted 19%, UC Santa Barbara accepted 27% and UC Riverside accepted 40%.
But it’s important to remember that one year’s numbers do not have any bearing on what happens in the next year, according to Ariel Mazel-Gee, a college admissions consultant based in San Francisco, and Dale Leaman, executive director of undergraduate admissions at UC Irvine.
In fall 2020, for example, waiting list admissions were very high across the board as students grappled with new challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, choosing to defer admission rather than have a remote first year of college, or changing plans for financial reasons. The next year, the numbers were much lower at most schools.
More for you
- Charts show UC admissions rates for every high school in California
- UCLA’s acceptance rate has plunged in recent years. These charts show how all UCs compare
How the waiting list works
Most colleges and universities, public and private, have waiting lists where admissions officers place students who didn’t quite make the first cut in admissions, but could still get in if room opens up in the enrolling class.
That means that during March, when students were receiving admissions decisions from UC campuses, some, rather than getting a yes or a no, got offered a place on the waiting list.
It is common for students to apply to more than one UC, and thousands of students are placed on the waiting list for each UC campus every year.
While they can accept only one offer of admission, students can accept multiple waiting list offers — and many do both, taking a guaranteed spot at a less preferred campus while hoping to still get into their dream school.
Students offered a waiting list spot had an opt-in deadline of April 15. “Statements of intent to register” by those accepted in the first round are due May 1. Wait-listed students won’t find out whether they made the second cut until after that deadline — anytime between May and July — as colleges calculate the number of spots available after admitted students accept their spots.
That means wait-listed students may have chosen a college by May 1, only to have those plans upended if they get off the waiting list for another school they prefer.
‘It makes me anxious’
Marianne J., an 18-year-old senior at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, was wait-listed at UC Davis and UC San Diego and opted in to both. She said the extended uncertainty is stressful.
“It makes me anxious. I don’t like thinking that I have to wait past May 1,” said Marianne, who asked that her last name be withheld as the admissions process continues. “It’s like everyone else has decided around me, and I’m here waiting for something I might not even get.”
UC admissions officers emphasized that there is no way to predict how many students will be admitted from thewaiting list at any campus. Because schools have a limited number of spots each year, it depends on how many admitted students choose to enroll, which means that the numbers vary from year to year, and from major to major.
“It’s important to realize that wait lists are a strategy for colleges to ensure that they have a full incoming class,” said Mazel-Gee, the admissions consultant.
Leaman of UC Irvine added that students can do little to affect or even predict their chances of getting in.
“It’s just waiting,” he told The Chronicle. “I know it’s frustrating for students. I know it’s frustrating for parents. I know it’s frustrating for families. But we are really trying to use this process to provide as many opportunities as possible to students.”
And for UCs, the waiting lists aren’t ranked, Mazel-Gee explained. If an admitted student who planned to major in biology and had a passion for art decides not to enroll, the school is likely going to look for someone with a similar profile.
“They are looking to fill different niches within a class,” she said.
Tips and strategies
Steps that students can take to increase their chances depend on the campus, according to Iris Berkley, a college admissions consultant based in Southern California.
Some campuses allow students to write a brief statement when they opt in to the waiting list, in which they can describe why the campus is right for them and anything they’ve accomplished since the original application, she said. Others do not ask for any extra information to join the waiting list, nor will they consider any if a student offers it.
UCLA, for example, allows for an update letter, where students can reiterate their interest in a school and provide any new information about their academics or extracurriculars, Mazel-Gee said. In that letter, applicants can describe specific opportunities at the school and explain how those factors make the it a great match for them. But most others review only the original application when making waiting list decisions.
The admissions department at UC Berkeley will not consider anything beyond the initial application, including any extra letters of recommendation or letters of continued interest, a spokesperson for the school confirmed.
“Berkeley only considers the applicant’s waitlist opt-in form and original application when determining who to admit off the waitlist,” the spokesperson said in an email.
The situation is similar at UC San Diego, said Jim Rawlins, associate vice chancellor of enrollment management.
“Any movement of students off the waitlist is based on enrollment needs, and the waitlist is not ranked,” he said. “While a lot of students hear that they should write a letter of further interest, or have someone write a letter of support, we make our decision solely based on what the student has already provided — they do not need to take any additional steps.”
If you are on a waiting list, UC admissions officers and college consultants recommend that you still accept a spot elsewhere.
“All students should accept an offer at a school they have been accepted to,” Mazel-Gee said. “There is no guarantee that you’ll be admitted from a waitlist.”
While it varies by UC campus, students who are let off the waiting list typically have no more than a week to accept the offer. While the good news is that they will still be eligible for housing and financial aid, students who accepted a spot at another UC will have to give up any deposit they made at that school, and deposits cannot be transferred between UCs. Deposits at UCs for undergraduates are $250.
What not to try
Leaman said that there are a few other misconceptions when it comes to the waiting list. Students cannot, for example, change their major in hopes of getting in through a different major, or try to offer their spot to a friend on a waiting list.
“Admission is nontransferable,” he said.
But the most important thing to remember during the process? Admission to any college won’t make or break you, Leaman said.
“Students are going to be successful wherever they go,” he said. “Don’t let a college admission decision define you as a human being.”
Marianne, the Sequoia High senior, said that even if she receives an offer from either of the two UC campuses where she is wait-listed, she doesn’t think at this point her plans will change. Hoping to break into the creative industry, she accepted a spot at the Parsons School of Design in New York, which she visited— and loved— over spring break.
She said that going through the admissions process has shown her that no matter what classes you take or activities you do in high school, there’s only so much you can control.
“I’ve really learned how much this system is a lottery,” she said. “I’ve come to accept that it’s so random, it’s not something I should continue thinking about.”
Reach Danielle Echeverria: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @DanielleEchev
Top of the News
- Big weather shift headed to California. Here’s a timeline for what to...
Scattered showers, thunderstorms and steam fog. Meteorologist Gerry Díaz provides a timeline-centered outlook for May’s upcoming weather patterns across California, along with some insights into...
By Gerry Díaz
(Video) Freshman Waitlist and Appeal Overview S.F.’s flatiron buildings have the edge over N.Y. Here's why
By John King
Political chaos has erupted in this Peninsula city over one issue: Housing
By Danielle Echeverria
How much did home with views in one of S.F.'s hottest neighborhoods sell...
By Annie Vainshtein
Dynasty on the ropes? Warriors predictions, analysis ahead of Game 7
(Video) How I Got Off The UCLA Waitlist EARLY| reading my essayBy Sporting Green Staff
FAQs
UC admissions: What are the odds of getting off the wait list at UCLA, Berkeley and every campus? ›
UC Berkeley accepted only 1% of students from the 2022 waiting list: 48 of the 4,650 students who opted in. UCLA's rate was nearly as low, with 3.3% of waiting list applicants accepted, though the actual numbers were higher: 372 of 11,169 students who opted in.
What are the odds of getting off the waitlist at UC Berkeley? ›On the other hand, for the admissions cycle of 2021-2022, Berkeley provided 11, 725 spots on the waiting list; however, just 359 of those spots were filled, bringing the Berkeley waitlist acceptance rates down to the low 5% range.
What are the chances of being accepted after being waitlisted? ›While many colleges will waitlist hundreds or even thousands of students, not all of those students will accept a spot on the waitlist, making the pool and the chances of getting in slightly better in some cases. According to NACAC, 20% of all students who chose to remain on waitlists were ultimately admitted.
Is UC Berkeley waitlist first come first serve? ›In other words, the University of California (UC) waitlist is not run on a first come first serve basis because all UC waitlist applicants are highly qualified for UC admission, but were unfortunately left out in the grand scheme of seat availability.
What time do UCLA waitlist decisions come out? ›Freshman applicants will receive waitlist offers by the end of March, with an opt-in deadline of April. Students will be notified of their final status by the end of June. Transfer applicants will receive waitlist offers by the end of April, with an opt-in deadline of May. Students will be notified by the end of July.
Is waitlist basically a rejection? ›However, the school could not offer them a letter of acceptance at that time. Getting on a waitlist is not a rejection — waitlisted students still have a shot at earning admission to the school.
Is there a downside to accepting waitlist? ›Students admitted off the waitlist don't have the leverage to negotiate tuition because the college knows that you want to attend their school if you accept the offer. Colleges don't have any incentive to give you more financial aid or merit, so you've lost your negotiating power coming off the waitlist.
How can I increase my chances of getting off the waitlist? ›- Accept a Spot on the Waitlist.
- Express Interest Again in the School.
- Submit a Deposit to Another University.
- Manage Expectations in the Admissions Process.
- Continue to Focus on High School Academics.
- Be Ready to Make a Decision if Admitted.
In general, you can assume that your odds are better if you've been deferred rather than waitlisted. Deferred students are reconsidered during the regular decision round and should have about the same chance as other regular decision applicants.
How does the UC waitlist work? ›A waitlist is a tool that automatically enrolls students into classes that are full. If a class is full but has an available waitlist (noted by a yellow triangle in the Schedule of Classes), students may be able to add themselves to the waitlist.
How does waitlist work at UC Berkeley? ›
Waitlisted Classes
Students on most waitlists are automatically enrolled in order as space becomes available. If you no longer want to be enrolled in a waitlisted class, you must drop the waitlisted class prior to the refund deadline to avoid being responsible for the tuition and fees.
“Waitlist means wait”
If the course has a discussion section, put yourself on the waitlist for the section with the shortest waitlist. In order to be enrolled in the lecture class you must be enrolled in a discussion section — once you are in the section, you are in the class.
In 2019, 13% of students who were placed on waitlists to attend UCLA were eventually admitted. The waitlist admission rate at UCLA increased to 19% in 2020, which was typical of the situation at many other highly selective universities.
Is being waitlisted at UCLA good? ›In general, waitlists are generally well-liked by prospective students, and there are typically many more applicants than there are openings.
Do most people who get waitlisted get accepted? ›According to recent data from the National Association of College Admissions Counseling, colleges on average admit 20% of students off the waitlist. At the most selective institutions, that figure was 7%.
How does UCLA decide admissions? ›Our comprehensive admission review process is based upon the 13 criteria approved by our faculty. These criteria include both quantitative and qualitative, academic and personal accomplishments by the student along with consideration of the context of those accomplishments and opportunities afforded to the student.
What not to do when waitlisted? ›Waitlisted students can accept or reject the offer presented by the college. However, don't take up a spot on the list if you're not planning on attending the school anymore. You'd be taking the spot away from another student who may be more interested.
Why am I getting waitlisted so much? ›Here are the most common reasons why applicants are placed on a waitlist: There simply were too few spaces available. There might have been too many students with your particular set of credentials or academic interests.
Is waitlist worse than deferred? ›A deferred applicant will be considered again before any reconsideration is provided to a waitlisted applicant. As such, being waitlisted at a school is worse than a deferral because the institution has decided not to admit you unless other applicants decline their admission offer and seats become available.
Should I say yes to waitlist? ›Accept your waitlisted offer
First things first—be sure to accept your waitlisted status. When a school informs you that you have been waitlisted, they are essentially offering you a spot on the waitlist. Therefore, to be added to the waitlist, you must accept the waitlist offer.
What do you say to someone who got waitlisted? ›
- “I know this feels like the end of the world, but it will all work out.” ...
- “If it is meant to be, it will be.” ...
- “The college process is unpredictable, try not to take it personally.” ...
- “You did all that you could do, and you should not have any regrets.”
While there is some anecdotal evidence that overqualified students get rejected, these students aren't usually turned down because of their better-than-average grades or test scores. Most likely, the overqualified student isn't the right fit for a school or they haven't shown enough interest to admission officers.
Is waitlist a soft rejection? ›If a student is waitlisted, it usually means that a school feels the student is a good fit, but the school is constrained by class sizes. Keep in mind, however, that some schools use waitlist offers as “soft rejections.” The waitlist offer is more of a “courtesy” and they have no intention of admitting you.
What is the waitlist acceptance rate for UC Berkeley? ›The 2021-22 year saw the worst numbers, with waitlist acceptance rates reaching the low 5%. With that said, there are two things one should consider when they're waitlisted from UC Berkeley. The first is to consider applications to other schools.
How do you keep a waitlist engaged? ›Remind them about the launch date and provide them with something to chew on while they are waiting. Then once your launch date comes closer into view, increase the emails you send accordingly. It's important to think about what you will be communicating with them while they wait and how you will keep them engaged.
Do most people who get deferred get accepted? ›That means your chances are between 0.9% to 2.8%. While this seems astronomically low, statistics aren't everything: the strength of your application is what matters most. On the other hand, Georgetown University reports that approximately 15% of deferred applicants are accepted during the school's spring review.
How many students get in after being deferred? ›While deferrals can be frustrating, you should remain optimistic. After all, being deferred means you are still in the running for possible admission in a few months! At the most competitive schools, typically 5-10% of deferred students are later admitted.
What percent of deferred students get admitted? ›Across all highly selective colleges, about 10% of deferred candidates ultimately earn admission to the school that kicked the can on their candidacies. While this percentage can vary yearly and from school to school, it's a relatively consistent general benchmark.
Can you accept multiple UC waitlist offers? ›You can accept waitlist offers from multiple campuses, but you can only accept one offer of admission. Even if you accept a waitlist offer at a UC campus, you should submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to ensure you have a place to attend in the fall.
Can you appeal a waitlist decision for UC? ›UC campuses do not allow waitlisted students to appeal their admission decision. All UC campuses will accept/review appeals when a student has not been offered admission.
Are UC admissions random? ›
Remember that the UC system conducts application verification for a randomly selected pool of applicants each year.
What is the rush process at UC Berkeley? ›Overview: Rush is the process where potential new members (PNMs) or rushees meet active members of the IFC fraternities. Each chapter creates their own schedule of events during a formal rush period, and most fraternities have events every night. They can be casual to formal.
How does UC Berkeley notify applicants? ›Students receive their admission notification in MAP@Berkeley. Additionally, they will review their conditions of admission, frequently asked questions, and any other important letters in MAP@Berkeley. After reviewing the admission decision letter, MAP@Berkeley gives the student access to Cal Central.
What time do UC Berkeley waitlist decisions come out? ›March 30 is Decision day for UCB so I am starting the Waitlist/Appeal discussion thread. Below are some Waitlist stats from the last few years. Waitlist timeline: Very few waitlist admits which were trickled out through June.
How can I increase my chances of getting into UC Berkeley? ›To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1530 SAT or a 34 ACT. You should also have a 3.89 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
What are my chances of getting into UC Berkeley? ›The acceptance rate at UC Berkeley is 14.8%.
In other words, of 100 students who apply, only 15 are admitted. This means the school is very selective. Scores are vital to getting past their first round of filters. After that, you will need to impress them beyond just your academic scores.
Meet or exceed the required campus-based TAG GPA (campuses vary in a range of 2.8 - 3.4 GPA minimums) Submit a TAG application by September 30, and. Apply for admission by November 30.
Is it easy to get off UCLA waitlist? ›UC Berkeley accepted only 1% of students from the 2022 waiting list: 48 of the 4,650 students who opted in. UCLA's rate was nearly as low, with 3.3% of waiting list applicants accepted, though the actual numbers were higher: 372 of 11,169 students who opted in.
What is the rejection rate for UCLA? ›As UCLA is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, the admittance rate is low. The UCLA acceptance rate for the year 2021 was 14.3 percent. This means that, for every 100 applicants, only 14 are admitted.
Is getting off the waitlist random? ›What are some tips to get accepted off the waitlist at a top college? Waitlists can be random. Some years schools go to the waitlist; some years they don't. Some years the list is long; sometimes it isn't.
How does waitlist work for UCLA? ›
Being on a wait list does not guarantee enrollment, but can improve a student's chance of enrollment if another student drops the class. Some departments establish wait lists for classes that are full. If a student in the class drops, a seat opens up and is filled by a student on the wait list.
Does UCLA waitlist transfers? ›Transfer Waitlist Information
All UC campuses except Merced are using a waitlist process for transfer applicants to manage their enrollments. Waitlist processes may differ by campus. No UC campus utilizing a transfer waitlist allows waitlisted students to appeal the waitlist decision.
Submitting an Appeal
Appeals can be submitted online from April 1 through April 15 (5:00 p.m.). The submission link will be available on April 1. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee a response by May 1, the date by which many institutions require their applicants to make a commitment.
If you rank higher, you'll have a greater chance of getting off the waitlist. But some colleges may neither rank waitlisted students nor accept them by priority. Individual colleges may take a more holistic approach. They may make their decision based on factors such as which majors they want represented.
Is being waitlisted an achievement? ›Many admissions committees evaluate tens of thousands of applicants each year, and making the waitlist is an achievement. Then, update the school on any recent accomplishments. Let the admissions committee know about your current grades or if your GPA improved since your initial application.
Is it hard to get waitlisted? ›Does that mean it's impossible to get off a waitlist? Not at all. But it does mean that the number of waitlisted applicants who receive offers of admission varies greatly from year to year, since colleges don't always estimate their yields perfectly.
What's the easiest major to get into UCLA? ›As a result, some of these majors can be easier to get into. At UCLA (overall acceptance rate of 14%), history majors have a whopping 52% acceptance rate, art history has a 40% acceptance rate, political science is 40%, sociology is 40%, and anthropology is 44%.
How do I stand out on UCLA application? ›Apart from the UCLA GPA requirements, UCLA admissions looks for applicants who show leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to enrich the campus community. Plus, UCLA SAT scores will not factor into your application narrative, which makes your extracurriculars even more important.
Does UC Berkeley look at senior year grades? ›UCs do look at courses you take in senior year and take the rigor into consideration when evaluating you for admission; but as long as you maintain satisfactory grades (typically an unweighted B average, with no non-passing grades, is sufficient), your performance in your senior year courses will not affect your ...
How does waitlist work in Berkeley? ›Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once class enrollment reaches its limit, a waitlist is opened. Students on most waitlists are automatically enrolled as space becomes available. Students are responsible for monitoring the waitlist status via CalCentral.
How does UC waitlist work? ›
A waitlist is a tool that automatically enrolls students into classes that are full. If a class is full but has an available waitlist (noted by a yellow triangle in the Schedule of Classes), students may be able to add themselves to the waitlist.
What does it mean to be on the waitlist UCLA? ›A department may offer a class wait list. Being on a wait list does not guarantee enrollment, but can improve a student's chance of enrollment if another student drops the class. Some departments establish wait lists for classes that are full.
Do waitlisted units count Berkeley? ›Note: During enrollment, if you add yourself to the wait list for a course, the units for the course will count towards the enrollment limit of 17.5 units (or 20.5 units). We suggest, therefore, that you do not build your course schedule entirely around wait-listed courses.
How many people get off UCLA waitlist? ›In 2019, 13% of students who were placed on waitlists to attend UCLA were eventually admitted. The waitlist admission rate at UCLA increased to 19% in 2020, which was typical of the situation at many other highly selective universities.
What are my chances of getting off the UCLA waitlist? ›When applicants for undergraduate admission to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2022 are put on a waiting list, 85 percent of those accepted off the waitlist were able to attend. If these students are accepted, the admissions office will get in touch with them.