In general, waitlists are torture for students. But they are a valuable tool for colleges to tweak their incoming class should their yield in a given year be lower than anticipated. Whether a college will need to utilize a waitlist may change from year to year (and colleges are generally looking to fill specific "gaps" when they select students from a waitlist), but there are some things you can do to ensure you are in the strongest position possible.

• When you receive notification that you have been waitlisted, you will usually be given instructions on how to accept your spot and details about how much additional information is welcome (or not). Be sure to follow these instructions carefully.
• Writing a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of getting off a college waitlist. This letter should be concise and sincere, reiterating why you believe the college is the best fit for you. In the letter, highlight any new achievements or accomplishments you have achieved since submitting your application. If the college is your first choice and you would enroll if offered a spot, this is the place to tell them! (Do not write this if it's not true--it can reflect poorly on you and the admissions officer who may have advocated for you.)
• If you have any new information that could strengthen your application, such as improved grades, recent test scores, achievements, or awards, send them to the admissions office along with your LOCI.
• If you have yet to visit the campus, try to squeeze in a trip or attend any events open to waitlisted students. For colleges that care about demonstrated interest, this extra effort will show the admissions office that you are serious about attending.

After you've submitted your LOCI and completed any other required elements to stay on the waitlist, do your best to turn your attention to the colleges that did offer you admission. Most colleges will start looking at their waitlists on May 1 (or later), so you still need to select a college and deposit by May 1. Staying on a waitlist can make you feel stuck in limbo, so it isn't the right choice for everyone. No matter what, know that you can thrive and be happy no matter which college you attend!