College Decisions

While early decisions have already come out, many regular decisions will be coming out in the next month or so.

Most students will be receiving emails and application status updates with one of three decisions: admitted, not admitted, or waitlisted. This is an exciting and nerve wracking time as students and families await information.

Once the decision is received, many students may ask themselves what they should do next.

What if I got rejected from my top choice school?

As hard as that rejection is, know that it is not a reflection of who you are as a person; rather it simply means that this school is not the right fit.
Remember there are many paths to achieving your ultimate goals. Focus on other options you have – other schools that have accepted you, applying to schools with rolling admissions, or taking a gap year and reapplying to schools next year.
Don’t forget that community colleges also have very high transfer rates (especially to UCs) and are a great way to save money while pursuing your general education requirements!

What if I was accepted to several schools but am unsure what to do now?

Do more research if you have any questions. Before applying, it is likely you did your fair share of research (internet deep dives, reading college books, maybe even visiting campus), but now that you have an official decision, if there is any more information you need to feel comfortable attending a school, now is the time to get it!
Virtual tours or in person tours when possible can help provide a new perspective and insight into the school and whether or not it is a good fit.
Compare the schools (financial awards, pros/cons, etc.). Spend some time really thinking about your own feelings and which school you can envision yourself being the happiest and thriving!

What if I got waitlisted at my top choice school?

You can accept a position on the waitlist. If you have any new information to send to the school (academic updates, new test scores, extracurricular achievements, etc.) you can send a letter of continued interest.
It is important to continue considering other options as many schools do not have a ton of movement on their waitlists. Some schools do not notify students about movement on the waitlist until after most schools require a decision.

Given how competitive the world of college admissions has gotten, it is important to remember that there is no one “right” path. Every student’s journey to college is unique and while it may not always start off the way a student expects, that is not a personal reflection on who students are, their abilities, or their potential for the future!