What should I do if my child is waitlisted at a private school?

Getting waitlisted can feel discouraging, but it’s not a rejection. It means your child met the school’s standards, but there just weren’t enough seats available. The good news is that with the right strategy, many students do move from waitlisted to accepted. At Cardinal Education, we advise families not to simply wait but to take strategic steps to strengthen their child’s candidacy. This can include writing a compelling waitlist letter, sending academic or extracurricular updates, and reaffirming genuine interest in the school. Our consultants have helped many families move from waitlisted to accepted at elite institutions by guiding them through this delicate process. With the right approach, a waitlist can still turn into an acceptance.