<p>I've been wait-listed at 2 summer festivals and, this being my first time applying, am wondering what this actually entails versus being rejected. Is it common for summer festivals to waitlist instead of reject, just to be nice? Or does waitlisted essentially mean I was accepted but they ran out of spots?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It depends on the summer festivals or any program as to what waitlisted means. Some programs have a high no show rate of those they accept, in which case , those on the waitlist may have a chance of getting a spot. How much of the spot will depend on the number of expected, historical no shows, and the number on the waitlist, whether the waitlist is in any particular order and where you are on it. To be waitlisted along with 1000 others when hardly any openings come up historically is a whole different situation than being told that you are one of 10 on a waitlist and at least 3-4 accepted kids renege each year. Also, sometimes people are put on the waitlist as a courtesy or as a special recognition and the chances of clearing it may be small or non existent. If you find out how many are waitlisted, and how many cleared the wait list in earlier years, it would give you a better idea as to how good your chances are. </p>
<p>It is also possible that the way some things are done, is first come, first served and anyone waitlsted was accepted and then just taken in order of app or some arbitrary cutoff. But unless an organization will share with you how a particular wait list works, it’s impossible to say.</p>
<p>@cptofthehouse: That makes sense. I was curious if there was some convention against outright rejections but I guess it depends on the program. Thanks!</p>