College Acceptance Etiquette


As we near the end of the year, many of the students who applied early decision or early action are hearing back the decisions from colleges. This is a very exciting, yet anxious time for students and families. Students in the same high schools are applying to the same colleges, but will all hear different decisions. It’s essential for students (and parents) to be mindful that friends and classmates may not be hearing the great news of being accepted. Being accepted into your top choice colleges is an incredible feeling, in which students and families should celebrate. However, it is not appropriate to brag about the acceptances, especially in areas (such as schools) that are populated with individuals who may have just heard they were deferred or denied from that very same school. So, use your private space in your home to jump around and shout with your parents, but when it comes to the school halls or cafeteria, keep the information to your close friends and the teachers and counselors that helped you along the way. Just try to think how you would feel if you were just denied from your top choice, and a peer came shouting down the hallway how this is the best day of his or her life because of their acceptance to that same school. Try to keep this in mind over the course of the next few months.

On another note, it is also important to show gratitude to your parents, teachers, and counselors who have been there every step of the way during the college process. Of course, you have put in the time and energy and you deserve much of the credit for reaching your goal of being accepted into colleges. However, you did have some help along the way, and the supporting cast could not be happier! Take the time to inform your parents, teachers, and counselors the decisions from colleges, and let us all enjoy this time together. Students may not believe this, but we all look forward to hearing the good news and this is an exciting time for all of us too!! So don’t rush this process, take some time to think about everything going on, and keep everyone close to you involved. This is a special once-in-a-lifetime event, and it’s big enough for everyone to enjoy!!


-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

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