I’m sure many schools operate differently, but I will let you know my waitlist experiences.
Last year I was waitlisted at two universities and didn’t hear anything other than my initial waitlist status via emails in mid- February. For a month and a half I touched base with the programs once to affirm interest and check status, but I mainly had no contact and just waited.
I thought April 15th would be the magical day to end all waiting! Nothing...
On April 16th I couldn’t stand it any longer and reached out.
Both schools said they were impressed (etc.) but needed more time. Essentially, I wasn’t the first person on the list and they’d extended an offer(s) to someone and that person was allowed some time to think over the offer.
After a few days, one school sent me an official rejection notice from the DGS (who was very kind) and said apply in the future as they had been fighting for me.
After a week of waiting with school two, I inquired again. They said they were waiting to hear on a couple of offers still.
Finally, on May 7th, the person I had been communicating with emailed with the final rejection. ?
All of that waiting... for that....
This year I’m on a waitlist. They’ve assured me they’ll notify me the second my status changes ? I’m sure they will... that exact second...
And then I have an acceptance!!! But...it came with a waitlist for funding.... so I guess I’ll just wait on that... ? Again, they’ve assured me of their definite interest and immediate notification when/if there’s a change. And since they said “immediate” I’ll just keep checking my email sixty times a day...