
Most colleges and universities are in the process of releasing their admissions decisions. As you begin to evaluate your choices be open minded. As you review each of your options keep in mind that you want to choose the school that is going to fit you best academically and socially. Ask your parents and your guidance counselor for input to help you with your decision and review these next steps:
ADMITTED
Great news! Your admission offer requires your response and deposit by a specific deadline, usually May 1st. Review your acceptance package carefully. If you’ve received an offer for financial aid and you have any questions reach out to the financial aid office for answers. Finally, submit all the required documents and information by the due date.
If you’ve received more than one acceptance:
- Look back on any notes you may have taken during your college search.
- Reach out to any current students you know.
- If you visited a school, try to remember how you felt while you were on campus. You may want to visit or even revisit any schools you’re considering.
- Attend “Admitted Students” days. Meet prospective classmates, have lunch at the cafeteria, visit the student center, look at bulletin boards around campus and read the school newspaper. Notice what students are doing— are they studying while eating or chatting and laughing? Talk to them— what’s their favorite and their least favorite thing about the school? Do you feel like you belong?
- Think about what’s important to you, including price, financial aid, distance, programs, size and spirit, and compare one school to another.
- Make a pro/con list to help organize your thoughts and ask your parents for their feedback. Consult your guidance counselor as well.
Waitlisted
Being waitlisted means there’s still a chance you may be admitted. This outcome requires you take the following steps immediately:
- Send in the response card as soon as possible and don’t miss the deadline. You will not be placed on the list automatically.
- If you require financial aid, contact the school to ask whether aid will be available if you’re admitted from the waitlist.
- If this school is truly your top choice let your admission rep know that if you are admitted you’ll definitely attend. Provide any additional information in support of your candidacy to admissions by phone, email or handwritten note Update them about any new achievements not included in your file.
- Talk to your guidance counselor and ask him or her to reach out to the school rep on your behalf if they feel it’s appropriate.
- Evaluate any other choices you may have and send in your deposit by May 1st. Waitlist decisions may arrive after deposits are due at any other school(s) to which you have been admitted. Take note that deposits are non-refundable, so if you’re admitted from a waitlist and choose to attend that school, you’ll forfeit the deposit you sent to the other school.
While the Admission Office may provide you with information about prior years’ waitlists, the number of students admitted varies from year to year.
Delayed Admission
Delayed admission is an offer to start in the spring semester or even the following fall. There are several things to think about if you are considering this option:
- What will you do in the gap period? Options vary from school to school and may include participating in specific programs such as spending time abroad or attending another college or university for that time.
- If the school you’re considering will not accept transfer credits from another college or university, you will need to talk to a counselor about whether it would be possible to catch up so that you may graduate with your class. If not, make sure you’re comfortable delaying your graduation.