UC Freshman Waitlist Information & Waitlist Statement Guideline
Waitlist Information
Waitlist Statement Writing Guidelines
Appeal While On Waitlist
Waitlist Numbers
Waitlist Statement Help
UC Waitlist Information
Each UC campus handles the waitlist opt-in process a little differently. All UCs have synched up the waitlist opt-in deadline to April 15 this year. Carefully review the waitlist information and/or FAQ from the campus that made you a waitlist offer before opting in.
Most UC campuses will not release waitlist decisions until well after the May 15, 2024 SIR deadline, so be sure to follow through with a backup plan in case the waitlist decision doesn’t work out in your favor. There is no penalty for you to withdraw the SIR if you are accepted from the waitlist somewhere else (except losing the $250 deposit).
UC Waitlist Statement Writing Guidelines
If a waitlist statement is allowed (most likely UCLA will be the only campus allowing that), be sure to explain why the campus is right for you. For example, what opportunities will the campus offer you and how do you intend to take advantage of those opportunities? You should also reinforce why you are the right student for that campus. For example, what experiences, knowledge, skills, and characteristics do you bring to the campus and how will you positively contribute to the student body and/or the campus community?
For campuses that do NOT have a waitlist statement, keep in mind that they will NOT review unsolicited information.
Appeal While On Waitlist
UCs do not allow applicants who were offered waitlist option to appeal. For UCs where you are required to decline the waitlist offer in order to appeal, keep in mind you are significantly more likely to be admitted from the waitlist than from appeal. Carefully weigh your options before proceeding.
UC Waitlist Numbers
Not sure if you should opt-in or give up? Take a look at the waitlist numbers from previous years to help you decide the best way forward!
Waitlist Statement Help
Find general waitlist statement help on my YouTube Channel (watch Understanding How the UC Appeal and Waitlist Process Works first, then check out How to Compose Your UC Waitlist Statement).
Need more help with your waitlist statement? Learn more about the service options I have available.
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8 Comments
Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.
Does Davis allow waitlist letters, there is an additional comment section like UCLA’s?
I believe there is an additional information section, but it’s part of the grade update form and meant for students to explain academic issues.
Should I send a letter of continued via email, since it was stated on the UCLA waitlist FAQ that “additional materials (including letters of recommendation) cannot be accepted and will not be reviewed if sent”.
You have space in the UCLA waitlist opt-in form to add information so just use that.
When do the UC’s start processing the waitlist usually? Do they wait until the May 15 deadline to start processing waitlist? I am interested to know more about San Diego and Berkley.
Majority of the UCs won’t release waitlist decisions until after the SIR deadline.
Is the UCI and UCD waitlist a lottery system?
My best guess is there are “clusters” of applicants of varying levels of qualifications and the campus would start pulling applicants off the top level cluster until it runs dry then move to the next cluster. There are usually four or five times more qualified applicants than the campus has space, so putting together huge clusters is easy. Whether admission from the cluster is random or not is difficult to say.