UC Transfer 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 May 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 June 1 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).

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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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4 Comments

Join the discussion and tell us your opinion.

Kirrareply
May 30, 2024 at 11:16 pm

Do you have any predictions regarding UCLA’s waves (dates) of letting Transfer Students off the transfer waitlist based on previous years?

Ms. Sunreply
May 31, 2024 at 11:03 am
– In reply to: Kirra

Whether students come off the transfer waitlist depends entirely on if there are available spaces in the major and that is unpredictable. Generally UCLA is pretty good about releasing initial batches of waitlist decisions not too long after the SIR deadline. But, after that, the campus has been known to hold onto a huge pool of waitlisted students until really late in the summer (this is likely because the campus wants to see if any spaces open up after the July transcript evaluation where, invariably, a bunch of students will get their admission offers canceled).

Beritreply
June 18, 2024 at 9:45 am
– In reply to: Ms. Sun

I wanted to ask if you knew about UCD and UCSC when they would return offers normally

Ms. Sun
June 18, 2024 at 10:06 am
– In reply to: Berit

Whether students come off the transfer waitlist depends entirely on if there are available spaces in the major and that is unpredictable. Generally, if there are any spaces available after the SIR deadline, the initial batches of waitlist decisions should come out shortly after. If not, or after the initial batches are done, then the campuses may hold onto a huge pool of waitlisted students until really late in the summer (this is likely due to the campuses waiting to see if any spaces open up after the July transcript evaluation where, invariably, a bunch of students will get their admission offers canceled).

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