Fall Waitlist FAQ

We appreciate the time and effort you put into your application. Virginia Tech received more than 47,000 applications this year. Because of the strength of your application and supporting documentation, we felt that you deserved to be considered again should space become available.

1. What does being on the waitlist mean?
   Since we have classroom capacity for only a set number of new students, many applicants do not receive offers of admission. An unranked waitlist is kept so that some applicants can be offered admission if spaces become available in the first-year class.
2. How will I be notified of a final decision?
   If you choose to remain on the waitlist, you will be notified by email to check your final admission status no later than July 1, 2023. We encourage you to check your email regularly, including Spam/Junk folders, as well as include admissions@vt.edu as an approved sender.
3. What are my chances for selection from the waitlist?
   You are understandably eager to have a final decision on your application. We cannot make a final decision until all the responses from applicants offered admission are returned. Therefore, we cannot answer questions about your chances of being selected for admission at this time. This year Virginia Tech received more than 47,000 applications and we expect 7,085 students to accept our offer and enroll. If we have fewer than 7,085 students accept our offer, we will offer admission to some of the students who chose to remain on our waitlist.
4. What is Virginia Tech's history of selecting students from the waitlist?
   Last year, we were able to offer 2,458 applicants from the waitlist. In 2021, we were able to offer 3,286 applicants from the waitlist. In 2020, we were able to offer 3,961 applicants from the waitlist. In 2019, we were unable to make any offers. In 2018, we were able to offer 1,896 applicants from our waitlist. In 2017, we were unable to make any offers. As you can see, the number of students ultimately receiving offers from the waitlist is highly unpredictable and variable. 
5. Can I do anything to increase my chances of being offered admission from the waitlist?
   To relay your continued interest in attending Virginia Tech, please access your Applicant Portal and select to remain on the waitlist through the Response to Waitlist form. Since decisions are based upon space availability, the following will not be considered or affect our decision: letters of continued interest, letters of recommendation, or personal visits will not affect our decision. If space becomes available, we will use the information you have already submitted to re-review your application.
6. Can I change my major while on the waitlist?
   No, you are unable to change your major while on the waitlist. If space becomes available, we will re-review your application for the major that you selected when initially applying for admission.
7. What are my options if I am not selected from the wait list and still wish to attend Virginia Tech?
   Each year, about 1,000 students transfer to Virginia Tech after beginning their college journey at other colleges and universities. Many students who at one point found themselves on a waitlist will follow this route to admission. As the transfer admissions process focuses on your work at the college level, transfer applicants can typically present competitive applications after one or two years of targeted study at a community college or other accredited college or university. The university provides several resources to help you select coursework and prepare for a successful transfer to your intended program. These can be found on our Transfer Admissions Homepage at vt.edu/admissions/transfer. If you have additional questions after reviewing this information, please feel free to contact our office.