It has been wonderful connecting with you this spring as you consider all of your options. Each of you have narrowed down your choices to a couple of colleges by this point. If you find yourself stuck and wanting to discuss your final choices please reach out. The resources below are available to you as you work to identify your final college choice.
Final Choice Comparison
This tab is on your College Companion Spreadsheet.
Tips for choosing your college
There is a tips sheet titled “Deciding where to go to college” in your digital binder. It has exercises like evaluating pros-cons, evaluating the priorities you had in the fall vs. right now, and imagining you’re going to a particular college for a few days. to help you explore your options.
Your spreadsheets also have a table called “Final Choice Comparison” that you can use to compare the colleges you’re choosing from in a side-by-side manner.
If you feel particularly stuck and have narrowed your choices down to two-three colleges, you can ask the admission office for an extension of the May 1st deposit deadline. When asking the colleges for this extension, ask them about when they need to hear back from you and if you can maintain your scholarships and aid package during this time. You’ll also want to keep in mind that extending your deadline could delay other processes like applying for housing. So don’t delay too long!
I am also available to meet with you if you’d like to talk through your options with me! Just reach out via text, call or email and I’ll get you on my calendar.
Keep your grades strong
Final reminder, to keep you grades strong. If your grades have significantly changed this spring, please contact me ASAP so we can craft a letter to your admission counselor explaining your circumstances. Read more here…
Track important dates and information requests from your colleges.
These include admitted student day invites, housing information, deposit deadlines (typically May 1), and requests for additional information.
Attend admitted student events if you can
Attending an admitted student event is a great way to meet other students attending the same college as you. These events may also include information about orientation, course registration, housing, and other helpful sessions to get you ready to come to campus. Watch for emails about admitted student events to your student portal and personal email account.
Check the enrollment deadlines for your colleges
You must submit your enrollment deposit to one school (no more than one) before the school's enrollment deadline, usually May 1. Your offer of admission and college checklists will have this date on them. You can also check the admission office website to confirm this date. You can submit this deposit before the deadline if you have already decided where to go.
Contact colleges you do not plan to attend
Send a "thanks but no thanks" email or letter to the schools you won't be attending. You can find an example letter in your Digital Binder.
Waitlisted?
If you are waitlisted at your top school, please let me know, and we can discuss your strategy. The bottom line is that you need to enroll at a school where you have been admitted and go through all of the enrollment steps with them. We don’t know if you’ll come off of the waitlist, so you’ll need to make sure you’re set up to attend your second choice college just in case you’re not pulled off the waitlist.
Prepare for AP exams
Good luck to those of you who are taking AP exams in May! Spend some time preparing for the exam to earn the highest score possible. Khan Academy offers free preparation courses for AP coursework and exams.Scores of 3, 4, or 5 may qualify for college credit. You can find your college's AP credit policies on the college's website. You can also ask your admission counselor for information about the score you need to receive credit for AP coursework.
Transition to campus
Read through the “You’re Headed to College!” packet in your Digital Binder and work through the cards in the Talking College Card deck to get ready for your first year in college. As you plan your classes for your freshman year, feel free to reach out to have me look over your schedule. I am happy to provide advice about your first semester schedule.
Let me know where you’re going in the fall!
Please let me know where you’re heading in the fall! I am preparing a small graduation gift for you that is themed, so knowing where you’re headed is important. I’d also like to make sure that I know about all of your admission decisions and the merit aid you received from schools. This information helps me help future students because it gives me an idea of what the admission trends are from year to year.
