Published by VOA
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Traditionally, high school students apply to several colleges or universities to improve their chances of getting accepted by one they like. Schools usually send out their acceptance and rejection letters in the early spring. If they accept a student, schools usually expect an answer from the student saying whether or not they will study there by May 1.
But Massa notes that a growing number of schools are now waiting until June 1 for students to make their choice. Highly selective schools, such as the eight well-known private universities called the Ivy League, get far more applicants than they can admit. So they, and other schools, create what is called a “wait list.” This list includes all the students who have not been admitted but who officials still believe might make good candidates for their school.
Normally, if a university admits a student who decides to study at another school, students on the waitlist are offered admission based on their place on that list. But Massa points to a March opinion study by the Art & Science Group showing that as many as one fifth of American students would choose a less costly college over their first choice school. In addition, 35 percent said they would choose a college or university that is closer to their home. Massa suggests that these findings combined with uncertainty about the attendance of international students means more students on wait lists will likely be admitted.
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