Q: I applied to five colleges, but now I'm thinking I ought to have applied to more.  I was rejected by my reach school -- but it was a real reach, so I was not shocked.  I got into my safety, which is a branch of SUNY.  But the other three schools all wait-listed me!  I thought for sure that I would be admitted to at least one of them.  Now what do I do?

A: Unfortunately, in the world of college admissions, very little is "for sure."  Even colleges often feel this way -- they send students acceptance letters, but not all of those students will actually enroll by the May 1 deadline.  Admissions offices try to anticipate how many students will sign up, but although they know their data from past years, each year could be a bit different.  And so many colleges end up filling their next freshman class from the waiting lists.

Colleges send acceptance letters based upon these yield results from previous years. There are more students they'd like to admit, but cannot at this point.  So they place them on a waiting list.  If a smaller number of accepted students enrolls, they can then go to this list and accept more applicants.<!--more-->

Make the most of this chance.  First, follow the directions in the letters the three colleges sent you, and respond to the wait-list offer.  Many students never do, and if the college looks to see who might accept a later offer of admission, they are not like to admit someone who shows no interest.  Follow up your response with a personal letter to the admissions committee (you can address it to the "Admissions Committee," unless you have met the specific representative who handles your high school).

Explain that you are still enthusiastic about their college.  Bring them up to date on your activities and accomplishments since the time of your initial application.  Ask your college counselor to support you with a letter, phone call, or e-mail.  These things can help.  Colleges do not maintain specifically ordered wait-lists, (no #1, #2, and so forth).  But if you assert yourself and explain why you might be good for them, you may increase your chances.  Rather than saying "it's always been my dream to attend your school" tell them something like "I would bring you my strong skills as a debater and a percussion player."  Do not delay.  Write now -- because while some schools may not know until after May 1 if they will indeed have places, others start admitting from the waitilist before May 1. Enlist your college counselor as an ally and give it a try!

It may be that you will have to enroll at your safety -- if you are not admitted elsewhere by May 1, you MUST enroll there.  Don't dismiss this school -- you may actually find that you love it once you are there.  If so, problem solved.  If not, you can apply later to transfer to one of your previous choices.  What matters is not where you begin your college education, but the school from which you graduate.