Now That Apps are Done
Here are your next steps and things to be aware of now that you have finished applying to college.
CHECK YOUR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PORTALS REGULARLY
Ensure that each college received all necessary material. Resolve issues quickly.
Keep an eye out for emails from any college.
SENDING MID-YEAR TRANSCRIPTS
If any of your colleges require mid-year transcripts (1st semester Senior grades), follow these procedures carefully. DO NOT add a new request for transcripts in Naviance. Use the Google Form sent by your counselor.
In the spring you will send your End-of-Year (final) transcripts to the college you will be attending. When the College & Career Center meets with all seniors late in the spring semester, you will order these transcripts then.
WAITLISTED OR DEFERRED? Click here for instructions.
COLLEGE INTERVIEW REQUIRED? Click here for instructions.
GOING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE? Please enter that college under the MAIALearning Colleges I am considering move to "application" list.
SECOND SEMESTER GRADES: College acceptances can be rescinded if grades fall significantly. Try to keep your grades consistent with the grades in which you were accepted.
UPDATE NAVIANCE: Update the decision for any college that you've been accepted, waitlisted, or denied.
FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Complete and submit the FAFSA forms if they were not required at application time.
If you receive any financial award letters, be sure to pay attention to all the information, especially deadlines. Some schools require you to commit by a certain deadline in order to receive the aid. Missing this deadline means losing money.
Continue your search for scholarships. Check here and on Naviance for scholarship opportunities.
Watch deadlines!
Click here for information on Financial Award Letters.
SEND THANK-YOU NOTES: Be sure to thank anyone who wrote a Letter of Recommendation for you. They spent quite a bit of time writing your letter, so you should spend a good amount of time writing a thoughtful note. Include a gift card if possible.
IF YOU GET ACCEPTED
Decisions: You have until May 1st to make most decisions. Use the time to weigh your options.
Negotiate your Financial Aid package: Frequently you can negotiate with a school for more financial aid if you can prove another college gave you a better offer or you have need.
PLAN A COLLEGE VISIT: Even if you’ve already visited a college once, you can still gain good insight from another visit. If you spent your first visit in the classroom, use your second trip to check out student hang-outs, the city around the school, or other items of interest.
ADMITTED STUDENT EVENTS: To help you connect with other students and decide if a college is right for you, consider attending this event at a college you've been accepted to.
HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE?
Here is an article on choosing a college when you have more than one acceptance.
It’s all about the right fit for YOU. Do you want: small/medium/large campus; sports-focused; big Greek life; out-of-state/in-state; sense of community; most affordable? List the aspects that are important to you and assign a point system for each college. Compare results.
Remember: There will be a Freshman adjustment period. Many Freshmen are unhappy. Try to work through it and don’t give up. Social media doesn’t always portray an accurate picture. Your mental health is important!
ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED
Send in required forms sent by the college.
Send AP exams scores
Send tuition and housing deposits.
Notify other colleges that you have been accepted to, that you will not be attending. They will give your spot to someone else.
Update Naviance with your decision: under “Colleges I’m Applying To” > > “Results”
Join your college’s social media to start meeting other accepted students.
Continue to check the online portal and email for any additional correspondence. Respond quickly.
SEEK HELP
Visit the College & Career Center if you need help navigating the process.