There is a cap on the number of swim memberships PWIA grants to non-proprietary members each year. This can be between 10-30. Your information will remain on the waitlist until it reaches the top, at which time you will receive an offer via email. On average the wait time is about 4 years. You will have 2 weeks from the initial offer email to respond. So please use an email address that you check frequently. You should also add any email from membership AT pwia.net to your safe senders list.
If you live within the borders of the Association, you do not need to be part of the waitlist.