April 2011

I'm accepted! ...Now what?: Acceptance and Rejection Letters

You chose a list of colleges. You wrote the personal statement. You collected letters of recommendation. You put in lots of hard work, and now you are seeing the results as you receive decision letters from colleges. This can be a stressful time period, so read on for some tips on how to handle the colleges' responses and the decision ahead of you.
 
When you open a letter of decision from a college, you will see one of three responses: acceptance, rejection, or placement on a waitlist. Let's discuss each possible outcome. First, acceptance. If you had the fortune to be accepted at multiple schools, you will need to decide which college to attend. Although the decision can be agonizing, it's a wonderful dilemma to have more than one choice! Most colleges set a deadline for your final answer in April, so you can take your time to decide. Think about financial factors, as well as why you applied to the school in the first place. If you like to make lists, write out the pros and cons of each institution. Contact admissions officers or other staff/students at the school with any questions you may have. Finally, think about which school excites you the most - you want to choose a college where you are excited to spend the next four years of your life.  
 
Second, rejection. It's hard to receive the response of "no," but remember that schools select students that they think will be the best fit for their institution. If the college thinks you were not a good fit for them, they are probably not a good fit for you, either. Congratulate yourself on making your best effort.
 
Waitlist letters can also be difficult to deal with. Although your chances of acceptance are still good, consider your options. Did you get accepted to other schools you would like to attend? Is this school your top choice? If you decide to remain on the waistlist, you may send additional materials to the school in support of your application. Think about what may have been missing from your application; if you applied to the school because you want to be a Creative Writing major and they have a strong department, send a story you have written, for example. Include a letter emphasizing your interest in the school, and explaining the attached materials. There is no guarantee that sending extra materials will help your chances, but it is worth a try.
 
As you begin receiving decision letters, know that making the decision is the hardest step left for you in the college admissions process. Afterward, you still have work to do to prepare for college (health insurance, housing forms, etc.), but you can breathe a sigh of relief that you know where you are headed.  
 
In the end, remember that while this is a life-changing decision, you can't predict how your life will be in this new place. Make the best decision you can, hope for the best, and take your new life one step at a time!
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