Seniors, if you submitted any college applications by way of an Early Action or Early Decision process, then you’ll likely have a response coming your way any day now (if you have not already heard back). Here’s what your responses from the colleges mean:
ADMIT-- Congratulations, you’ve been admitted! There are many factors that go into your admission, so pay attention to any communications they send (and check your emails!).
Admit with Preferred Choice of Major -- This means that you’ve been admitted with a spot in your first choice major and/or college of your choosing at the institution that houses the major.
Admit without Preferred Choice of Major -- This means that you’ve been admitted to the institution, just not with your first choice major. It’s possible at many institutions for you to apply for an internal transfer once you’re there (after having met specified criteria), but factors vary from institution to institution. Does the school offer a guaranteed qualification process (pre-major) once you’re there, or is the decision final?
Early Action vs. Early Decision -- If you applied to an institution that has an Early Action process, then your admission does not come with any strings attached. You’ll have until May 1 to accept their offer. Otherwise, if you applied via an Early Decision process and have been admitted, then you’re now required (per the contract you signed) to withdraw your application to other schools as you have committed to your Early Decision school. If you applied to a school that did not have an Early Action or Early Decision process, then you’re under no obligation here.
Scholarships -- Did your offer of admission come with an initial scholarship offer? Most schools operate on the “money talks” idea and want to make their initial offers known so as to reinforce their interest in you. That said, this may not be your final offer, and other opportunities might exist down the line for additional dollars (stay tuned for Spring updates!). Many schools will offer admitted applicants an opportunity to apply for additional consideration, especially for high-brow institutional programs. As well, you’ll likely receive a financial statement from the institution in the Spring, especially if you’ve submitted a FAFSA. The financial statement will tell the true tale for total cost of attendance.
Honors and other considerations -- Most schools do not necessarily offer admitted applicants a spot in their honors college, and although some do, it’s best practice to research whether they have a separate application process. Is there a financial benefit to the honors programs? Is there a higher consideration and more opportunities for research and learning? What are the classes like?
Housing -- You’ll receive housing information soon. Does the institution require that you live on-campus for a specified amount of time? Do you have a preferred residence hall? Though most schools will allow until May 1 for you to make a final decision to accept your offer of admission, it’s generally better to decide sooner rather than later when housing preferences are considered.
DEFER -- If you’ve been deferred in the decision process, then this is not a bad thing. Though you have not been admitted, your decision has been merely postponed for reconsideration in the January-March timeframe. Below are several factors to consider if you’ve been Deferred:
— The institution will likely need your mid-year grades, so be on the lookout for any communications that request a mid-year transcript. Be prepared to send immediately.
— If you’ve retaken the SAT/ACT, you’ll want to have the scores sent immediately. Some schools will even consider a February ACT. Otherwise, if you do not have any updated scores, then don’t worry here.
— If you’ve received any communications from the institution that ask if you would still like to be considered for admission in the Defer process, then respond immediately if you’re still interested. Some schools use this as a method to cull their process as some applicants will self-select themselves out of consideration for a variety of reasons.
— If you applied via the Early Decision process, then you’ve very likely been released from your commitment/obligation should you be admitted down the line. You’re likely completely free to consider other schools without restriction.
— When in doubt, stay in-contact with your admission representatives. They serve as the first line of contact, and if anything else, if they know that you’re still interested in their institution, then they can still serve as your advocate. Restate your interest and remain in regular contact (without pestering).
DENY -- Unfortunately, you have not been admitted. If this school is your first choice, then here’s what I recommend you do:
— Ask your admission rep if there is an appeal process. Some schools are willing to reconsider applicants for various reasons, so talk to your rep to learn the school’s process. Heads up: most schools have drastically different ideas for appeals.
— Ask your rep if there is a transfer admission opportunity. While non-traditional, many schools are very transfer friendly and would welcome an application a year down the line. Transfer opportunities open the side-door to the institution; while some students adamantly prefer to have a traditional “Freshman Experience,” others view the institution as a whole as being more important. That’s a judgement call that will vary from applicant to applicant.
WAITLIST -- You have not been admitted, but merely placed on a list that the institution might open should spots in the freshman class become available. Waitlist offers are not typical at this point in the process. I’ll have more information about this in the Spring.
I’ve heard back from many seniors thus far, and there seem to be an unusually high number of Defer decisions this year. Don’t be too discouraged if you’ve been Deferred; many of you have applied to very high-brow institutions, so this is not atypical. Please feel free to contact me should you have any further questions or need advice/consultations to guide through the process. I am readily available to help this upcoming Spring to help navigate the financial, program, and admission pieces. We’ll help you find the right fit! Otherwise, I hope that all of you have a blessed holiday season and that you are rested for the last semester of K-12. It’ll be over before you know it!