<p>Getting waitlisted is not the same thing as just missing admission. There are all sorts of reasons for waitlisting, and a big one is the “courtesy waitlist”. Costs the schools nothing, but is more politically expedient than outright rejection. That waitlist is not targeted at you, but at your HS and your GC - it’s saying “just missed” (while not really meaning it), and send us more candidates next year. Someone pointed out that Duke waitlisted more than twice the number of slots they have available and took about 2% off the list. That’s political posturing.</p>
<p>If the waitlist were small, it might mean something for your chances the following year. If it’s huge, just move on. You’ve already been told no once, why not take a chance on a place that might say yes, or is at least a blank slate?</p>