How to Get Off a College Waitlist

The college verdicts are now in. Teenagers know which schools want them and which schools don't.

The agony, however, continues for kids stuck on a college waitlist. Many colleges have expanded their waitlists in 2009 to hedge their bets. Thanks to the crummy economy, schools are uncertain who can afford to show up in the fall, so they dumped more teenagers on waitlists this year.

A couple of years ago, my daughter Caitlin got waitlisted. She applied to eight schools and received happy news from all but Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY., which waitlisted her.

Caitlin was incredulous when she heard the news: Why would Skidmore turn down such a great catch from San Diego? Her attitude was summed up this way: It's Skidmore's loss.

Not everyone is going to have that kind of healthy reaction. So what happens if your child gets this message: We're just not that into you, but maybe something can work out?

Here are six suggestions:

1. Follow the school's instructions. In Skidmore's case, I remember that Caitlin was supposed to fax or call on certain dates and times to express her interest in attending the school.

2. Update the school. Your teenager should send the school an updated transcript and perhaps another teacher recommendation. If your child has any more accomplishments to pass along, do so.

3. Express commitment. Your teen should explain why he or she truly covets a spot in the school's freshman class. If the school truly is the No. 1 choice, say so.

4. Don't be pushy. Plenty of admission officers have crazy stories about nutty parents who can't take no for an answer. Parents should stay out of it.

5. Think hard about bailing. If your child ends up being accepted from a waitlist, don't be surprised if the school offers a miserable aid package. Colleges reserve their best offers to the kids they truly want, not the teens who snuck in just as the door was closing.

6. Let them know you can pay the tab. With endowments decimated, if you can pay the full tab, inform the school. An affluent teen may be able to leap over less fortunate applicants.

Waiting image by H.Koppdelaney, CC 2.0