So you have been waitlisted at UVA; you might be asking yourself, ok, what do I do now? Getting waitlisted isn’t fun, we’re sorry. It can be frustrating. However, we want to help you navigate the next steps when it comes to the University of Virginia. UVA actually publishes a sizable list of FAQs about their waitlist. They are very transparent about their waitlist, which is honestly refreshing. Many schools don’t want you to peek behind the curtain when it comes to the waitlist, and we love that UVA isn’t that way. Below you’ll find our own tips and advice on navigating UVA’s waitlist.
Who is on the waitlist right now?
So UVA has a kind of weird new policy surrounding their waitlist. They are no longer deferring students who applied Early Decision or Early Action. Instead, they are sending them directly to the waitlist. This is something we are going to keep a close eye on because it’s relatively unique, but since it is being piloted this year, we don’t have data yet on how this is going to affect the size or number of acceptances off this year's waitlist. However, we wouldn’t be surprised if it shook up the numbers a little.
Interesting, but what do I do?
Omg we are so glad you asked!!
Step 1: Accept your place on the waitlist ASAP
You need to opt into UVA’s waitlist. You have until March 1st if you applied ED or EA and by April 15th if you applied RD. However, you should get on the waitlist as soon as possible. If you are unsure if you want to be on the list, just get on it. They want you to accept your spot as soon as possible, so we advise adding your name if there is a chance that you want the place. However, you want to think this through in the coming months because they only give you 48 hours to accept your waitlist spot when offered. So think it over and make a plan before mid-May.
You can accept your place by logging into the applicant portal and filling out the opt-in form on your profile.
Step 2: Be real about your odds
Most likely, the earliest you will hear about getting off the waitlist is about 2 weeks after May 1st. This is past the deposit deadline for most schools. You want to choose a backup school and put a deposit down. UVA also recommends this, saying, “Because most colleges require a deposit by May 1, we strongly encourage you to pay a deposit at another school, even if UVA is your first choice.”
UVA’s waitlist acceptance numbers are kind of all over the place. Ignore 2020 (because, you know… there was a global pandemic), but some years just have more acceptance than others.
Also, a quick note: while they do not rank their waitlist, since UVA is a public school, they have to consider in-state to out-of-state student ratios, which will affect who they take off the list.
Step 3: Gather any NEW materials to send them
You must upload your Mid-Year report to their portal when you have it. Technically, that is the only thing you need to add, but that doesn’t mean it is the only material you can send them.
So, on their website, UVA says, “The waiting list opt-in form submitted through the portal takes the place of a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).” They also say you can send “additional letters of recommendation via your portal.” However, these letters come with a big asterisk as they say, “They should only be sent if they tell us something new that we haven’t learned about you yet.”
It’s all a little confusing, but it really boils down to the fact that they don’t want a bunch of extra stuff if it doesn’t give new information. Let’s walk through some examples of appropriate things to send them since they are not looking for traditional LOCI.
We generally aren’t big fans of additional letters of recommendation. If you are going to send more, it shouldn’t just be from a new teacher that they haven’t heard from or a coach when they already knew you played soccer. However, there are a few categories that might work here:
1) If the person writing it is a BIG DEAL
Most people won’t have this type of connection, but you know, if your dad is friends with the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences…. Or like Obama, you can send their letter. This won’t work if it's a random alumnus. Only do this if they are a real higher-up.
2) Someone who can speak to your big news
It’s been a couple of months since you applied, and you might have had some big news. For example, if you started a new research internship with a professor and it isn’t already referenced in your application, that person can speak to the new responsibilities that you have taken on. This kind of letter works especially well if your news feels essential to understanding you and your passions.
You can also update them with an email. However, you still want to lean into NEWS and UPDATES rather than a full LOCI.
Email Updates
If you have news that would be better communicated by email rather than in recommendation form. You can also update the admissions office with a short email. The types of updates that work well include:
New Test Scores
Winning an award or fellowship
Starting a new job or position that matters to you
The news should feel impressive. You don’t want to send an update about bumping up your commitment to the Art Club from 2 hours a week to 4 hours a week. However, if you are planning your first solo show and have been given a grant by your town’s art district, that feels important and worth the update.
Keep your emails short and professional. You can include ‘thank yous’ and any questions you might have, but make sure you are getting to the point and being clear in your writing.
Step 4: Really Just Wait
It’s unfortunate, but once you have secured your spot and backup school and sent in any appropriate updates, all you can really do is wait. Try not to be too hard on yourself or freak yourself out. There is no guarantee of getting off the waitlist, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try and put your best foot forward.
Getting waitlisted is hard. It’s the feeling of getting so close but still feeling so far. Keep your head up. We will keep our fingers crossed for you. Take the right next steps, and if you are nervous, we are happy to help.
We do everything when it comes to applications. Reach out here.