You’ve Finished your College Applications: What to Do Next
All fall, you’ve worked hard to finish your college applications. Although you may feel a huge weight lifted from your shoulders, you might also wonder, is there anything else I should be doing while I wait for decisions?
Securing your spot at your favorite college or university doesn’t end with completing an application. Here are some steps to follow so you can continue to improve your chances of admission after you’ve hit “submit.”
· Keep Up Grades. Your high school has sent your transcripts as part of your applications to show admissions officers what you have accomplished. But don’t forget, you’re not done with high school yet! Admissions offices might check for a progress report.
Or, if you’re deferred from early decision, your continued good grades could make the difference in the regular decision pool. Continuing to put in the effort in your classes has the added perk of preparing you for more invigorating and challenging work once you enroll in college courses.
· Check for Updates. Regularly check the portal to the schools you’ve applied to so you know that your materials have been processed by admissions officers. You’ll also want to check application portals for announcements and other updates.
Checking for updates is a simple way to stay proactive.
· Thank You Notes. Write a thank you letter to all the people who wrote you a letter of recommendation. And yes, definitely send thank you letters to your teachers and guidance counselors who have invested in your success. Thank you letters go a long way to show how much you appreciate the dedication of your mentors and supporters. They also help you maintain lifelong connections with important individuals.
· Check Dates. Double-check when each school plans to announce their decisions. Make a note on your calendar for the decision announcement day for each school. When you’re managing ten or more applications, marking the dates relating to each one helps you stay organized.
· Read Emails. Get in the habit of checking your email each day – this is how colleges and professors will communicate with you. Don’t forget to check your Spam folder, either! While you might be accustomed to communicating with your peers over text or DM, email is the primary method of communication in the academic and professional world. You will miss critical announcements if you aren’t checking regularly.
When you read your emails daily, you’re able to respond punctually and to take action when needed. You’ll make good impressions with prompt responses.
· Schedule Interviews. Schedule interviews at schools that offer these. At Arthur Smith Advising, we do mock interviews with our students. Be sure to prepare ahead of time!
· Financial Aid. Follow up on financial aid deadlines and don’t forget to submit your FAFSA. The financial components of your application might not feel as exciting as your personal essay, but they are vital for a smooth transition into college. Keep up with your financial aid requirements to plan for your future in college and beyond.
· Trust your Work. You’ve dedicated many hours to researching schools, writing essays, and studying for standardized tests. Those hours don’t even cover the time that you’ve spent building excellent coursework and grades over your high school career. Now that you’ve submitted your best work, don’t look back or second guess.
When you’ve invested all this time and passion into your applications, feel good knowing that you gave your best, regardless of a school’s decision! That’s all anyone can ask!
At Arthur Smith Advising, we continue to advise and support our students after they’ve submitted their applications. We celebrate the accomplishment of completing applications, but we also understand that there’s still more to do. Whether you need help navigating updates or providing admissions offices with additional materials to bolster a deferred application, we’re prepared to guide you.