How Long Should We Expect to Wait for a Response from a High School Waitlist?

The waitlist process can take weeks or even months. Some students get off the list quickly, while others may not hear back until summer, just before school starts. Schools first wait to see how many accepted students enroll. If spots open up, they offer them to waitlisted students. There’s no set timeline, so it’s important to stay patient. Meanwhile, keep checking in with the school (without overdoing it) and explore other options. Some schools move through their waitlists quickly, while others rarely admit waitlisted students. If you haven’t heard back by mid-summer, it’s best to move forward with another school. Always have a backup plan to ensure your child has a school to attend in the fall.