What does it mean to be put on a waiting list?

Idaho Murse · May 30, 2009

It means they met the criteria but others were more competitive in their application. Some people are always accepted but for whatever reason decide not to attend. The first person on the waiting list then gets fully accepted into the program

ysosa1 · May 30, 2009

Thanks! hopefully i won't get put on the waiting list

Columnist · May 30, 2009

Hello vsosa1

Welcome to allnurses.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · May 30, 2009

It really depends on the school's admission policy. For the most part, it's what Idaho mentioned, but you also need to find out what happens IF they don't call you up (if people drop out or decline acceptance). Where I teach, we do have a waitlist where if they don't get into the next class, they will get a seat in the next semester's class.

Another thing you should inquire about is the order of the waitlist, if there is one. Does it go by GPA, or is it random.

Also, you may be called up literally at the last minute. lat year a student attended orientation, freaked out at the thought of doing it, and gave up her seat. We called someone off the waitlist at the last minute, like the day before classes started.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · May 30, 2009

I wouldn't know THANK GOD ! I didn't have to do a lottery or waiting list. I was part of a special program that promised me a seat in the nursing program from my first day of college. I'm blessed.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · May 30, 2009

I wouldn't know THANK GOD ! I didn't have to do a lottery or waiting list. I was part of a special program that promised me a seat in the nursing program from my first day of college. I'm blessed.

I'm SURE the OP is thankful for your reply :rolleyes:

lunden · May 30, 2009

sounds like being accepted as an alternate. i'm in for fall 09 as an alternate, but if a spot does not become available i will automatically start in the spring of 2010

beth66335, BSN, RN · May 30, 2009

At my school the waiting list is only used to fill the places of people who don't accept their spot when they get their acceptance letter. If people drop after that deadline they don't call anyone from the wait list.

kcochrane · May 30, 2009

In our school everyone that meets the requirements, gets on the wait list. They actually give them a number in ranking, which is based on the same criterea as acceptance..points. As the letters of acceptance go out and people don't accept those people on the wait list can get in according to the number they have. Our school policy is that you have to apply to the nursing school each semester. The wait list doen not carry over from year to year.

sweetiepeas · May 31, 2009

For my school they only accept a certain amount of waitlist. So if someone doesn't taki it, doesnt register on time, pay tuition, ext... then an alternate gets the spot. They said that it was a good place to be and for me it was because I start in September :) Call the nursing advisor and find out for sure.

GoBear · May 31, 2009

I was on the wait list for about 33 months before I received my spot. Most people in my class (of 42) were on the list for even longer...about 36-40 months.