How to De-Stress College Waitlist Limbo

This has been a record-breaking year for deferrals and waitlists. Why? The rise in number of applications overwhelms colleges..for example, the University of Michigan  received 90,000 applications last year (already a huge increase) and 109,000 in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Keep your stress level down by not overthinking your waitlist options. Make a thoughtful decision about whether staying on any waitlist makes sense for you. Consider factors like:

• How much you genuinely prefer this school over your confirmed options

• Your financial situation if aid packages differ significantly

• The waitlist admission statistics from previous years

• Your willingness to potentially make quick decisions (sometimes just 24 hours) late in the process

Remove yourself from a waitlist if the uncertainty becomes too taxing! 

Accept What You Cannot Control

The waitlist process is largely out of your hands. Admissions offices make decisions based on numerous factors that you cannot influence. Accepting this reality can be empowering and immediately reduce your stress level. Focus your energy on what you can control. 

Have a Solid Plan B

Commit to another college you feel good about. Pay the deposit, go on social media to meet other incoming students, and start envisioning yourself on that campus. Getting excited about a concrete alternative distracts from the waitlist pressure.

Set a Mental Timeline

Give yourself a date when you'll mentally "move on" completely. This doesn't mean you won't accept a surprise offer if it comes, even as late as August, but it allows you to psychologically close this chapter if needed.

Reframe the Situation

Remember that your worth isn't determined by a college's decision. Many successful people attended their second or third-choice schools, or transferred later. Your college experience is what you make of it, regardless of where you land.

By implementing these strategies, you can transform the waitlist experience from an anxiety-inducing limbo into a valuable lesson in patience, resilience, and embracing uncertainty—skills that will serve you well throughout college and beyond. 

Take the Intentional Pause

My next few posts focus on “less college stress.”

I can’t imagine the never-ending stress that Angel Perez, a former dean at several colleges and the current director of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, must field every day. In his new book “The Hottest Seat on Campus,” he shares the “superpowers” that support him through an intense world that never slows down. 

In an interview with Ethan Sawyer, Perez shared Justin Trudeau’s observation at the World Economic Forum a few years back: the pace of change has never been this fast, and it will never be this slow again. When will things return to normal? 

The answer is never.  

In college admissions counseling, we are always focused on the latest data. Admissions cycles prior to the pandemic (only five years ago) have little relevance now. Colleges face new challenges. Leaders like Perez face constant pressure to respond, engage, extinguish crises–and we all do! In the college process, stress often gets “turned up to 11” for students, parents, and consultants. 

A text pings, we respond. Social media demands prompt attention. As parents, we react. 

If we don't deliberately create space for quiet, we remain trapped in reaction mode, adrenaline pumping. We stop leading and succumb to chaos. What sparks us isn’t always a real emergency, but it feels like one. Research confirms what many of us know intuitively—decisions made after reflection are simply better decisions that allow perspective.

Perez explains how he learned this lesson the hard way. Early on, he maintained a relentless pace and felt the consequences professionally and personally. Now, unless facing a genuine crisis, he responds, "I'm going to think about that and get back to you tomorrow."

That’s the intentional pause.

It requires self-discipline, but rather than giving into the pressure to respond immediately, you get space for deeper, calmer thinking, better answers.

As a natural problem-solver, I easily fall into this trap. Parents and students: if you experience being "everywhere and nowhere at once”—overworked, overextended, and committed to goals beyond your control, using Perez’s “superpower” will benefit your physical and mental health–and the decisions you make. 

Navigating Nova: What Prospective Students Should Know

Here’s what I already knew:

Villanova's Augustinian values of Unitas (unity) and Caritas (love and respect) form the foundation of campus culture. The goal is a “community of mutual respect, rooted in friendship.” As new Executive Director of Admissions Matt Harris emphasizes: "No one is higher than anyone else," and the community practices "respect for all, even those who disagree with you." These values are reflected in Villanova's impressive 99% retention rate and 96% six-year graduation rate.

Here’s what’s new:

Villanova is growing, having purchased Cabrini University to increase enrollment from 1,720 to 1,970 students in 2026. Nursing spots will increase from 108 to 125. New dormitories and an early education program are being developed at this location. This week, the university also acquired Rosemont College. Both Cabrini and Rosemont campuses are just a few minutes away from the Villanova campus.

Some details re: academics/admissions:

Business students explore all concentrations before declaring a major in sophomore year. For those unable to commit to a full business major, a 10-week summer program offers a business minor. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is divided into BA and BS options. Science students can initially select "undecided sciences" before committing to a specific path, while Psychology offers both BA and BS options. The innovative Cognitive Behavioral Neurology major falls under Sciences.

Engineering applicants typically submit the highest test scores, and they should note an important caveat: apply directly to Engineering rather than trying to transfer in later, which is extremely difficult. Advisors note, "It's much easier to switch out of engineering than into it."

For those considering application strategies, Early Decision comprises 50% of each class. This year saw 26,000 applications with admitted ED students typically scoring 1460-1520 SAT or 34-36 ACT. When crafting your activities list, showcase consistent involvement and leadership roles that align with Augustinian values. Remember that Villanova strictly limits recommendation letters to two—no additional letters will be considered.

With research opportunities (including a $1,000 stipend for freshman projects) and 88% of students completing research or internships, Villanova offers substantial academic engagement alongside its strong community values. Contact me for more details!