College Admissions Regular Decisions for Class of 2021: What Next?
[Note: This is the introduction to a multi-part blog post. Check back each week for more on Regular Decision tips.]
Now that it’s April, it’s officially the season of college admissions decisions. While many colleges aim to have their letters mailed by March 31 or April 1, some may have arrived earlier. Either way, the Class of 2021 should soon know just where exactly they will be heading this fall, and whether or not they need to make some hard choices.
Over the next few weeks I will talk about what to do after hearing the decisions, ranging from acceptance to waitlisted to rejection. No matter the result, be happy that you were able to go through one of the most challenging parts of high school. Yes, the college admissions application is no small feat, and the competition to get into top-tier universities gets stiffer each year.
In the meantime, I will offer some general advice on how to approach your regular decision letter. We get can into the details next week, starting with the waitlist.
1. Give yourself as much time as needed to select the right school for you. You should have at least until May 1 to make a choice.
2. If you get into your dream school, be mindful of others and respect that they may not have received THE BEST NEWS EVER!!! Definitely be proud and celebrate, but don’t brag.
3. On the flip side, if your friends got into their dream schools but you didn’t, don’t be a grouch. Yeah, it will sting a little at first, but not everything works out the way you originally planned. Be happy for them and realign yourself.
4. Remember that college admissions is not a perfect science, and admissions officers are doing their best to piece together the puzzle of who you are. (You may not even know how the pieces fit together!)
5. When choosing between schools, don’t let prestige override more personal needs, such as your major, your financial situation, and your personality. Believe it or not, the Ivy League is not meant for everyone.
Like I said, I’ll go into more on how to approach the different kinds of letters you may have received. But for now, be happy that you are nearly done with this chapter of your life. :)
If you have received your regular decision notifications and would like some guidance on what to do next, don’t hesitate to set up an appointment with one of our admissions counselors. We’d be happy to help you make the right choice or come up with a game plan. While the college's decision is regular, there's nothing regular about choosing your best academic future.
