What are the best practices for managing waitlists?

1 Define your criteria

Before you create or update your waitlist, you need to define your criteria for admitting students from it. These criteria should align with your institutional mission, values, and priorities, as well as the academic and non-academic qualifications of your applicants. You should also consider factors such as diversity, equity, and inclusion, financial aid, and yield rates. Having clear and consistent criteria will help you make fair and informed decisions, as well as communicate them to your stakeholders.

2 Communicate with transparency

Communication is key to managing waitlists successfully. You should communicate with your waitlisted students regularly and transparently, informing them of their status, the timeline, and the process of admission. You should also provide them with realistic expectations, avoiding false hopes or vague promises. Additionally, you should communicate with your internal and external partners, such as faculty, staff, counselors, and recruiters, to ensure alignment and collaboration. Communication can help you build trust, engagement, and loyalty among your waitlisted students and other stakeholders.

3 Monitor and update your data

Another best practice for managing waitlists is to monitor and update your data frequently and accurately. You should track the enrollment trends, the waitlist size and composition, the admission offers and responses, and the feedback from your waitlisted students. You should also update your data based on any changes in your enrollment goals, capacity, or policies. Monitoring and updating your data can help you adjust your strategies, optimize your resources, and improve your outcomes.

4 Offer support and resources

Managing waitlists is not only about numbers, but also about people. You should offer support and resources to your waitlisted students, to help them cope with the uncertainty and stress of waiting. You can offer them academic, financial, and emotional guidance, as well as opportunities to connect with your campus community, such as virtual events, webinars, or social media groups. You can also provide them with alternative options, such as deferred enrollment, transfer admission, or other programs. Offering support and resources can help you enhance your student experience, satisfaction, and retention.

5 Evaluate and improve your practices

Finally, you should evaluate and improve your practices for managing waitlists on a regular basis. You should collect and analyze data on your waitlist performance, such as the conversion rates, the yield rates, the satisfaction rates, and the retention rates. You should also solicit and incorporate feedback from your waitlisted students, your staff, and your partners, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your practices. Evaluating and improving your practices can help you learn from your experience, address any issues, and achieve your enrollment goals.