Now that apps  are done

Portals

• Most colleges will send an email with instructions for setting up a portal account.

• Keep track of individual usernames/passwords for each college and check your portals regularly.

• Ensure each college received all necessary materials and resolve issues quickly – they’ll let you know if something is missing. They will likely release your admission decision on the portal as well.

• Keep an eye out for emails from all colleges where you applied – is there a deadline to apply for housing? This could be the same deadline as when you confirm your intent to enroll (May 1)

• Look over your college's Next Steps and meet all deadlines. This takes more time than you think!

• View this Next Steps for Seniors recording for advice on to-do's for your final semester of high school.

Mid-Year Reports & Transcripts

• Read this page for the most updated information on how to send transcripts to colleges: www.tamdistrict.org/Page/4753 

Importance of 2nd semester grades

• All college acceptances are conditional, so keep up the grades.

• Colleges can rescind admission offers if grades fall significantly.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Complete/submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

• APRIL 2 is the FAFSA/CADAA deadline if you are applying to California colleges/universities. Check all other colleges for their priority deadlines. This is for the Class of 2025 only.

• Continue to search for scholarships. 

• Some colleges also have their own required financial aid application, so visit the websites for all colleges where you applied to make sure you’ve met their requirements in order to be considered for aid & to look for what scholarships they offer. There may be additional scholarship applications to complete. 

• Schedule an appointment with the College & Career Specialist if you need help understanding your financial aid offers.

If you were accepted Early Decision

• It is imperative that you officially withdraw your other applications by contacting those other schools. You will not only help your fellow applicants by leaving more space for them, but you will also help colleges move forward with their decision-making process.

If you are Deferred

• This can happen if you applied Early Action or Early Decision to a college. One of the admission choices a college can give is a deferral which means they need more information before they can decide their final admission decision (accept or deny). 

• They will need your midyear transcript, and if you applied on the Common App or Coalition App, your counselor will automatically upload the transcript after first semester grades are finalized.

If you are Waitlisted

• You are usually given the choice as to whether you “opt” in to the waitlist. If you are no longer interested in the school, don’t opt in as it’s best to leave that potential spot open for another applicant who really wants to go there.

• The UCs require you to opt-in to their waitlist and for the Class of 2025, the deadline to accept a waitlist invitation is April 15. Students can opt-in to multiple UC campuses. Even if students opt in to a waitlist at a UC campus, they should submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to a college or university where they have been offered admission to ensure they have a place to attend in the fall.

• Since colleges need to see how many of their accepted students say yes to the offer, waitlisted students may not hear if they get accepted until after the May 1 national reply date. You may not find out if you are accepted from a waitlist until July!

• You need to find another school that you feel good about and commit to it by May 1 instead of putting all of your hopes towards the school that waitlisted you.

• Some schools accept many students from their waitlist, and some not many at all, and it can change year to year based on how many applications the school received.

• If the school allows you to write a letter or get an additional letter of support and you are still very interested in the school, do everything you can to show them your continued interest.

• If they are able to go to their waitlist, they’ll want to pick students who they know will likely accept their offer, so you need to show them why you should be considered.

Appealing an Admission Decision – Is it worth it?

• Before launching an admissions appeal, students should know the policy and process in place at their preferred college.

• If the appeals policy is not published, contact the admissions office for more information. You may get your answer quicker by calling them.

• Once a college has rejected an application, students typically have a limited timeline to appeal the outcome, which varies by school. 

• While students should pay attention to the appeals deadline, that doesn't mean they should be in a rush. Don’t send a hurried email when you’re still upset, confused, angry, and looking for answers. 

• Take some time to process your emotions and appeal within a week or two of the deadline.

• One myth is that submitting it ASAP will somehow signal to the appeals committee that you're especially eager. They don't care.

• Appeals based solely on a student's interest are typically not approved.

• Typically, students appeal by sending a letter to the college stating their case for admission. At UC—Berkeley, for example, an applicant can submit a 500-word statement to make their case with new information.

• The rule of thumb is, unless a university explicitly asks for or allows an item, don't send something they didn't ask for.

• If a student knows they made a mistake on the application or if there is substantial new information, like the loss of a parent, a cancer diagnosis, or a national or international level achievement, then students should share this information with each college. 

If you get accepted

• You have until May 1 to let your college of choice know that you want to attend.

• There’s no reason to rush this very important decision, so wait until you have received all of your admission decisions and financial aid offers before you pick your college.

• It is unethical to commit to more than one college – you could be taking a spot from someone who is on the waitlist and really wants to attend.

• Do whatever research you need to make your final choice – visit the college, connect with our alums who attend, etc.

Once you’ve decided

• Send in required forms by deadlines.

• Send official AP exam scores if your college accepts your results.

• Pay a deposit (possibly including housing) by 5/1.

• Notify other colleges that you appreciate their offer but you are making another choice – you can do that as soon as you decide as it then opens up spots for waitlisted students.

• Join your college’s social media outlets to start meeting other accepted students.

• Continue to check the portal and email for communications from your college.

Going to a Community College

• Community Colleges also have online applications, and students can create those accounts now if they plan to enroll next fall. 

• They have a set of steps necessary to enroll, but it starts with completing their online application.

• If you plan to attend COM and have already taken classes there during high school, then you just need to update your application.

• Check college visits on Naviance for upcoming College of Marin Application Sessions.

Send Thank-You Notes

• Be sure to thank everyone who wrote a letter of recommendation for you.