Early College Admissions Season: The Aftermath

Early College Admissions Season: The Aftermath

While the early admission period now goes into February at some colleges, December 15 marked the end of the early season at many competitive colleges in the US. Students who filed applications under early action and early decision plans in November, stalked the mailman and remained logged into their e-mail accounts 24/7 awaiting responses. There were three possible outcomes: acceptance, deferral or rejection. Regardless of which pile you fall into, there are things you should do to

ensure a strong finish to senior year:

Rejections-Don’t Wallow Too Long

It’s normal to be disappointed if you were rejected at your top choice college, but a day to wallow is enough. Then, there is work to be done! Realize that recently, Ivy League and other top colleges have been outright rejecting more students in the early round. Last year, Yale rejected 38% of early action candidates, twice the percentage they had denied the year before. It’s better to know where you stand in December than be strung out until March. Now is the time to reassess your college list and make certain that your expectations are realistic. The Ivy League, Amherst, Duke, and other uber-competitive colleges are a stretch for EVERYONE these days-even if you have a 4.0 and 750 on your SATs. Make certain that you have enough realistic and backup schools on your list, and file those remaining applications now. Remember that many of the most successful people in America were rejected from their first choice college. Your destiny is waiting at another great college,

Deferrals-Reinforce Interest, Broaden Your Focus

While some deferrals result in a later acceptance, at many schools your best chance of acceptance is in the early round. That being said, there are things that you can do to enhance your chances of acceptance during regular

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decision. First, write a letter to admissions and tell them that you were disappointed, but that it remains your first choice and if accepted in the spring, you will attend. Don’t flood admissions with correspondence (that can work against you), but as semester grades come out and you win awards, be sure to update the college on your accomplishments. It is also important to keep your grades trending upward and that you remain active in your extra-curricular activities. Revisit the other schools on your college list, find great reasons to attend, and finish up your other applications. Now is not the time to let your grades slip or get caught in a state of inaction.

Acceptances-Beware of Senioritis

Congratulations, you got in! You can breathe a sigh of relief and coast through senior year now, right? Yes and no. Remember that your acceptance is CONDITIONAL on maintaining your grades and not getting in any trouble. If your grades go down significantly, you are suspended from school or arrested outside of school, colleges can and WILL rescind your acceptance.  According to the NACAC, 69% of cases where acceptances are rescinded involved plummeting grades. So, keep your nose clean and your grades consistent!