What does being waitlisted mean when applying to college?

I'm in the middle of my college application process and just heard from a friend that they got waitlisted at their top choice. I'm kind of worried about what that might mean for me later on, so can someone explain what being waitlisted actually means? Is it like a polite rejection, or do they really reconsider you later? Also, how common is it to get off the waitlist and actually get admitted? Should you send anything extra to the college to increase your chances? This is all pretty new to me, so any advice would be awesome!

Being waitlisted during the college admissions process essentially means that the college is holding your application as a possible candidate for admission if there is space available later. You're not outrightly denied, but you're also not immediately offered a spot.

The waitlist process varies from school to school. Some colleges have a ranked waitlist, meaning they have an order they follow if space opens. Others review again all their waitlisted applications if spots become available.

The probability of getting off the waitlist also varies between colleges and between application cycles. It depends on factors such as the yield (number of accepted students who decide to enroll) the college experiences in a particular year, and how deep the college decides to go into their waitlist.

Regarding additional materials, some schools may welcome supplemental information such as updated grades, new achievements or letters of continued interest, but be sure to check the college's specific policy on this. An expression of strong interest in attending can be beneficial if the school does continue to review applications, but always remember to follow their stated guidelines. For example, some colleges specifically ask waitlisted students not to send additional letters of recommendation or materials, so it's essential to respect their process.

In short, being waitlisted is somewhere between being accepted and rejected. It can feel like you're in a state of limbo, but it also means you still have a chance of being accepted. It's critical during this waiting period to keep your options open and continue considering other colleges where you've been accepted.