If you have options after receiving all of your admissions decisions, take time to really think about where you want to go to college. Your potential degree track, career aspirations, desired extracurricular involvement, the campus community, and your financial aid offer should all factor into your final decision. Choose a backup even if you’ve been waitlisted at your top choice; you want to have a place to go come August. After you’ve accepted an offer, your work still isn’t done!
When you’re waitlisted, you’re stuck in that ambiguous spot between yes and no, where you have to wonder if a spot is going to open up so that your “maybe” can turn into a “definitely.” The statistics aren’t great and you should try not to get your hopes up, but there are ways for you to be proactive. Consider asking a teacher to send in one letter of recommendation or scheduling an interview with the admissions office to see if you can tip the scale in your favor.
Once you’ve received admissions decisions from all of the colleges to which you applied, it’s time to make a decision. The only caveat would be if you’re received an early decision acceptance, in which case, your choice is made! If you have received more than one non-early decision acceptance, compare the financial aid package, campus life, and academic programs provided by each school. Visit the campuses for a final look before making your choice.
After you’ve accepted your offer, you are likely to hear back from your new college about what to do next. You’ll want to sign up for orientation or plan on being on campus by a certain date, choose a meal plan, learn about your housing options, and register for classes. Even if you’re in perfect health, you’ll likely need new immunizations before you arrive on campus, so plan on seeing your doctor, too.
