Tips for Early Decision & Early Action Results

As seniors are waiting for and receiving decisions for their Early Action and Early Decision applications for colleges, I wanted to share some tips on when receiving admissions decisions from colleges.

Ø  If you have been accepted to a school through Early Decision, you should withdraw your applications from any other colleges you have applied to or were planning on applying to. Remember, with Early Decision, you, your parent, and school counselor all signed an agreement, that if accepted this would be the school you would attend.

Ø  If you have been deferred from Early Decision or Early Action to regular decision, do not get upset, as you still have a chance. For ED, you are no longer committed to attending the school, even if you are accepted through regular decision, so more options have just opened up. To be deferred means the college liked what they saw in your application, but they need a little more information and time before potentially accepting you. For these schools you should send them updated senior grades, new standardized test scores, revised résumés, and continue to demonstrate your interest with the school. Most schools will acknowledge that you applied ED/EA when they review you again for regular decision, but it will help to continue to let admissions know how much you want to attend their school.

Ø  If you have been accepted to any schools through Early Action, you do not need to tell them your choice on attending or not until May 1st.

Ø  If you were denied through Early Action or Early Decision, unfortunately you cannot apply again for regular decision…you would have to wait until the following year to apply.

Ø  Make plans to visit those schools you have been accepted to, especially the ones you have yet to see in person!

Ø  Keep track of those scholarships offered by each school you have been accepted to. It is helpful to create an Excel Spreadsheet to compare the cost of each school after scholarships and eventually financial aid are factored in.

Ø  If your college requires the CSS Profile, make sure you are getting that done as soon as possible. Also, remember the FAFSA is available on January 1, and complete that within the first few weeks of January if possible.

Ø  Most of all, keep calm while decisions are coming out. You most likely will not be accepted to every school, and this is OK! You will end up where you belong and at the school that is a great match for you.
    
     Have a fabulous and relaxing break, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays!

     Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

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