Waitlist
(n) A list of applicants who have not been accepted but may be offered admission if space becomes available. (v) To place an applicant on such a list.
Being waitlisted is not a rejection, but it's not an acceptance either. It means the applicant is qualified but there isn't immediate space.
Word relationships
- Reserve list: similar, often used in other contexts like job applications
- Holding pattern: informal, implies being kept in suspense
- Acceptance: being offered admission
- Rejection: being denied admission
Commonly confused with
- Deferral: 'Waitlist' means you're qualified but no space; 'deferral' means your early application is postponed for reconsideration with the regular pool.
Word family
- Waitlisted (adjective): having been placed on a waitlist
Collocations
- placed on the waitlist
- waitlist offer
- waitlist decision
- get off the waitlist
- waitlist pool
Example sentences
- "She was disappointed to be placed on the waitlist for her top-choice university." Applicant status.
- "The admissions office decided to waitlist several strong candidates this year." Action by institution.
- "Being on the waitlist requires patience and often a letter of continued interest." Advice for waitlisted students.
Memory hook
If you're on the WAITLIST, you WAIT and hope to get off the LIST. Wait on the list.
When not to use
Don't use 'waitlist' for a casual queue (e.g., 'waiting list for a restaurant'). While similar, 'waitlist' in college admissions has specific implications about qualifications and potential future offers.
Fun facts
- Some universities accept a significant number of students from their waitlist, while others rarely do.
- A 'letter of continued interest' is a common strategy for waitlisted students to demonstrate their ongoing commitment.
Related words
Also appears in
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