If you’ve been waitlisted for UC Davis, you’re not alone. In 2022, over 25,000 students were waitlisted to the university; only 11% were admitted from the waitlist.

Being waitlisted can be a stressful and uncertain experience. You may not know why you were waitlisted, and you may not know what your chances are of being admitted. This article will provide you with all the information you need to know about the UC Davis waitlist, including what it means to be waitlisted, what your chances are of being admitted, and what you can do to improve your chances.
What Does it Mean to be Waitlisted?
When you are waitlisted, it means that you have not been admitted to UC Davis, but you have also not been denied. You are placed on a waitlist, and if space becomes available, you may be admitted.
There are several reasons why you may have been waitlisted. The most common reason is that there were more qualified applicants than there were spaces available. Other reasons for being waitlisted include:
- You have a strong academic record, but your test scores are not as high as other applicants
- You have a lot of extracurricular activities, but your grades are not as high as other applicants
- You are a first-generation college student
- You are from an underrepresented group
- You have a compelling personal story
What are Your Chances of Being Admitted from the Waitlist?
The chances of being admitted from the waitlist vary from year to year. In 2022, over 25,000 students were waitlisted to UC Davis; only 11% were admitted from the waitlist.
The chances of being admitted from the waitlist are lower for applicants who are not from California residents. In 2022, only 4% of out-of-state applicants were admitted from the waitlist.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Chances of Being Admitted from the Waitlist?
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of being admitted from the waitlist:
- Write a strong letter of continued interest. In your letter, you should explain why you are still interested in attending UC Davis and what you would contribute to the university community. You should also update the admissions office on any new accomplishments or experiences you have had since you submitted your application.
- Submit additional materials. If you have any additional materials that you think would strengthen your application, such as a new transcript or a letter of recommendation, you can submit them to the admissions office.
- Contact the admissions office. You can contact the admissions office to inquire about your status on the waitlist. You should be polite and respectful, and you should avoid calling or emailing too often.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
There are several common mistakes that applicants make when they are waitlisted. These mistakes can hurt your chances of being admitted:
- Don’t give up. Some applicants give up on the waitlist process because they think they have no chance of being admitted. However, the waitlist process can be long and unpredictable, and there is always a chance that you will be admitted.
- Don’t be impatient. The waitlist process can be slow and frustrating. However, it is important to be patient and to avoid contacting the admissions office too often.
- Don’t be negative. If you are negative or pessimistic about your chances of being admitted, this will reflect in your communications with the admissions office. Instead, be positive and enthusiastic, and let the admissions office know that you are still very interested in attending UC Davis.
Being waitlisted can be a stressful and uncertain experience, but it is important to remember that it is not the end of the road. There are several things you can do to improve your chances of being admitted from the waitlist. By following the tips in this article, you can increase your chances of getting into the college of your dreams.
There are several benefits to being waitlisted for UC Davis. These benefits include:
- You have a chance to be admitted. Even though the chances of being admitted from the waitlist are low, there is still a chance that you will be admitted.
- You can improve your chances of being admitted. By writing a strong letter of continued interest, submitting additional materials, and contacting the admissions office, you can improve your chances of being admitted from the waitlist.
- You can learn from the waitlist process. The waitlist process can teach you a lot about yourself and your college application. You can learn about your strengths and weaknesses, and you can develop a more positive attitude about the college admissions process.
Being waitlisted for UC Davis can be a challenging experience, but it is important to remember that it is not the end of the road. By following the tips in this article, you can improve your chances of being admitted from the waitlist. And even if you are not admitted, the waitlist process can teach you a lot about yourself and your college application.