Congratulations! You have completed your college applications! You should be proud of how far you have come and the obstacles you have had to overcome to get to this moment. However, there are still some things you need to take care of before you start thinking of your first day at your top choice school.
Take a look at the monthly calendar and checklist below to ensure you have everything covered.
December: If Applicable, Manage Early Decision/Early Action Applications
Competition for Early Decision (ED)/Early Action (EA) spots is intense, and many applicants will not be accepted. Some may receive a deferral or waitlist option. If you are among those who applied ED or EA, were deferred/waitlisted, and still want to attend that school, Submit a response through the college’s application portal with a “letter of continued interest.” If you would like to be considered for the regular decision pool, inform the college of your continued interest as soon as possible. An advisor can assist you in drafting the letter, but you must submit it promptly because colleges will begin reviewing regular decision applications soon.
If you are admitted to your ED/EA school, accept the offer, and withdraw all other college applications. This is mandatory. You can use the college application portal to pay the enrollment fee for your ED/EA school or withdraw applications.
January: Complete Post-Application Tasks and Monitor College Application Portals
Check your inbox and watch for an email from each college as soon as you have applied, as instructions on creating an application portal account will be sent to you. The portal will be where you check the status of your applications and may also be the means of decision notification. Be mindful that it may take a week or two for a college to record the receipt of all application materials. Be sure to remain vigilant about following up on any missing application materials!
Be sure to monitor application portals to check on your application status and updates from the college. It is crucial to pay attention to any deadlines for post-application tasks such as letters of continued interest, submission of additional documents, and any other request from the college.
January is also the time to start preparing for alumni interviews. Accept any interview offers promptly! Then, start preparing by exploring the plethora of online resources that are available for alumni interviews. If you want to ensure you are fully prepared, contact an advisor and schedule an interview prep session. A trusted college advisor is the most reliable source for information and guidance, as they will know (or can help you find out) about each college’s specific requirements.
February/March/April: Track the Status of Your Applications and Respond to Acceptances
News of your regular decision applications can begin to arrive as early as February, but most admissions offices typically release offers in March and April. To make the best decision possible when you receive your offers, it’s a good idea to continue researching your top five schools during this waiting period and become more familiar with their program offerings.
Similar to when you created your school list when the application process started, you should maintain an organized list of all the schools where you received an acceptance. Rank you options based on your attendance preferences and consider factors like degree program options, cost, location, and overall educational benefits. Keep track of important deadlines, such as response dates, next steps, and interview schedules.
Share your results with a trusted advisor and schedule a meeting to discuss your options as they can assist you in making these crucial decisions. Once you have made your decision on what college you want to attend, accept the offer by completing the enrollment form and paying the required fee. Remember to withdraw all other college applications and decline additional acceptances through each application portal. Be mindful of holding onto an offer for too long, as other applicants may be waiting for a spot.
May: Pay Your Enrollment Fee and Move Forward to Registration!
Pay your enrollment fee to the college you plan to attend by the school’s stated deadline. Once you have paid your enrollment fee, your status will change from applicant to enrolling student, and you will begin receiving information about the enrollment and registration process. Remember to inform your high school guidance counselor and any other advisor about your final decision!
One of the worst things you can do as a college applicant is to become disorganized and miss vital tasks that ensure you receive and/or retain an offer for admission. While it may feel like it is time to relax, in reality, the application process does not end until you matriculate. So, take a deep breath and a moment for yourself. Then take the necessary final steps toward your dream school.
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