Thinking about What to Do After Submitting Your College Application?
Submitting your college application is a milestone, but what follows is equally crucial—navigating the period of waiting. This stage is not merely about patience; it’s about proactive engagement. Understanding what to do after submitting your college application is essential in today’s competitive educational landscape. This article will guide you through actions to enhance your prospects, soothe your anxiety, and prepare you for the next steps on your educational journey.
Should You Check Your Application Status?
Yes, periodically checking the status of your application is recommended. Most colleges provide a portal where you can see if there are any missing documents or updates on your application status. Regular checks ensure that you catch and resolve any issues swiftly, keeping your application on the right track.
Confirmation and Follow-Up:
After submitting a college application, it’s crucial to ensure everything is in order. Here’s how you can handle confirmation and follow-up:
Confirmation of Submission
- Immediate Confirmation: Most college applications systems, like the Common Application, send an immediate email confirmation upon successful submission. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) to ensure you have received this.
- Application Portal: Log into the application portal provided by the college. It should indicate the status of your application and confirm that it was received.
Follow-Up Actions
- Check for Missing Documents: The application portal often lists any documents or forms that are still required, such as letters of recommendation or transcripts.
- Submit Additional Information if Necessary: If you have updates or additional achievements that occurred after your initial application submission (e.g., new SAT scores, awards), you can inform the admissions office. Some schools have a formal process for this, often detailed on their admissions page.
- Financial Aid Documents: Make sure all financial aid documents, like the FAFSA and CSS Profile, are submitted by their respective deadlines. Follow up with the financial aid office to confirm receipt and check if additional documentation is required.
How Can You Strengthen Your Application After Submission?
While you might think your work is done once you hit ‘submit,’ there are still opportunities to enhance your profile. If you achieve something notable after submitting your application—like winning a competition or achieving a significant academic milestone—informing the admissions office via an update letter can be beneficial. This shows initiative and keeps your application fresh in the minds of admissions officers.
Tracking Application Status:
Tracking the status of your college application and being aware of timelines are key parts of the application process. Here’s how applicants can effectively monitor their applications and the important deadlines to keep in mind:
Tracking Application Status
Application Portal:
After submitting your application, you will typically gain access to a student portal provided by each college. This is your primary tool for tracking the status of your application. It will show whether your application is complete or if any components (like test scores or recommendation letters) are missing.
Email Communications:
Colleges often send updates and notifications about your application status via email. Ensure that these emails are not going to your spam folder. Regularly check your email and the portal for any updates.
Contacting the Admissions Office:
If you encounter any discrepancies or have concerns about your application status, don’t hesitate to contact the college’s admissions office directly for clarification.
Important Timelines and Deadlines
Application Deadlines:
Be clear whether you are applying under early decision, early action, or regular decision timelines. Early decision and early action deadlines are typically in November, while regular decision deadlines are usually in January.
FAFSA and Financial Aid Deadlines:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1st each year and has federal and state deadlines, but colleges may have their own specific deadlines. It’s crucial to submit these forms as early as possible.
Scholarship Deadlines:
If you’re applying for scholarships, note that these can have different deadlines, often ranging from the fall to the spring. Keep a calendar of all relevant dates.
Admission Decisions:
Admission decisions for early applications usually arrive by mid-December, while regular decision notifications typically come out around late March to early April.
Deposit Deadline:
Once accepted, there is usually a deadline by which you must confirm your acceptance and pay a deposit (commonly May 1st for many U.S. colleges, known as National College Decision Day).
What About Financial Aid and Scholarships?
After submitting your application, focus on financial planning. Ensure that you have completed all necessary steps for financial aid, including submitting the FAFSA and any other required financial aid forms specific to the colleges to which you’ve applied. Additionally, seek out scholarships; numerous databases online can help you find scholarships that match your profile.
Can Engaging With the College Enhance Your Chances?
Engaging with your prospective colleges through official channels like virtual tours, alumni talks, or even direct correspondence with the admissions office can demonstrate your genuine interest. This is what admissions officers often refer to as “demonstrated interest” and can sometimes influence decisions positively.
Campus Visits and Interviews:
Campus visits and interviews can play a significant role in the college application process, providing valuable insights and opportunities to make a strong impression. Here’s how to approach scheduling and preparing for them:
Scheduling Campus Visits or Interviews
- Campus Visits: If possible, schedule a campus visit. This can provide a sense of the campus culture, student life, and facilities. Visiting while school is in session is ideal as it offers a glimpse of day-to-day student life. Check the college’s website for information on scheduled tours and open house events.
- Interviews: Not all colleges offer interviews, and for some, interviews are optional or conducted by alumni in the applicant’s local area. If interviews are offered, taking advantage of this opportunity can be beneficial. Interviews typically can be scheduled through the admissions website or after an initial application review.
Preparing for Campus Visits
- Research: Before visiting, research the college thoroughly. Understand its history, programs, and what it stands out for. This will help you ask informed questions.
- Plan Your Day: Make sure you know the schedule for the day, including campus tours, information sessions, and if possible, meetings with faculty or sitting in on a class.
- Prepare Questions: Have a list of questions ready about things that are important to you, such as academic programs, internship opportunities, campus life, and financial aid.
Preparing for Interviews
- Practice Responses: Typical questions might involve discussing your academic interests, extracurricular activities, and why you are interested in this particular college. Practice your responses to be both concise and informative.
- Review Your Application: Be familiar with what you’ve written in your application; interviewers may ask you to elaborate on certain points.
- Dress Appropriately: Dress neatly and appropriately, erring on the side of business casual to make a good impression.
- Be Genuine: Be yourself. While it’s important to be prepared, it’s just as important to let your genuine interest in the school and your personality shine through.
Real-World Example: Demonstrating Continued Interest
Consider Jordan, who after submitting her applications, decided to engage more directly with her top choice university. She attended virtual seminars hosted by the department she applied to and participated in discussions. When she updated her application with a recent award, she also mentioned her interactions with the department, showcasing her sustained interest and proactive nature.
Actionable Advice: Making the Most of Your Time
- Stay Organized: Keep track of all correspondence with colleges and note important dates, like when decisions are expected.
- Continue Excelling: Maintain your grades and extracurricular involvement. Colleges do notice if students’ performance drops significantly after they apply.
- Prepare for Interviews: If the colleges offer interviews, prepare thoroughly. Practice answers to common questions and stay informed about the programs and values of the colleges.
What if You Get Deferred or Waitlisted?
Being deferred or waitlisted is not the end of the road. Write a thoughtful letter expressing your continued interest and any new achievements or updates. Remain positive and consider additional options and applications if needed.
How important is maintaining good academic performance after submitting the application?
Maintaining strong academic performance after submitting your college application is critically important. Admissions officers often emphasize that a student’s senior year grades can influence their final decision, especially if the initial acceptance is conditional or if a student is waitlisted. Here are the reasons why continuing to excel academically matters, along with some practical tips for staying focused during the waiting period:
Importance of Maintaining Good Academic Performance
- Conditional Acceptance: Many college acceptances are conditional, based on the expectation that students will continue to perform at the level they did when they applied. A significant drop in grades can result in admissions offers being rescinded.
- Waitlist Consideration: For students placed on a waitlist, strong performance in the final year can be a deciding factor in eventually being offered a place.
- Scholarship Eligibility: Scholarships often have academic requirements that must be met not just at the time of application but through to the end of senior year.
Tips for Staying Focused on Academics
- Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, achievable goals for each class. This helps in maintaining a clear focus and provides a sense of accomplishment as you meet each goal.
- Create a Balanced Schedule: Avoid burnout by balancing study time with activities you enjoy. This can include sports, hobbies, or spending time with friends, which can rejuvenate your mind and increase productivity during study times.
- Stay Organized: Use planners or digital apps to keep track of assignments, test dates, and other academic deadlines. Being organized can reduce stress and help manage your time effectively.
- Seek Help When Needed: If you find certain subjects challenging, consider seeking extra help. This could be in the form of tutoring, study groups, or additional support from teachers.
- Stay Engaged with Teachers: Continue to engage with your teachers and participate in class. This not only enhances learning but can also ensure you remain in good standing academically.
- Mind Your Health: Physical and mental health significantly impact academic performance. Ensure you are getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. Managing stress through techniques like meditation or yoga can also be beneficial.
Conclusion: Embrace the Journey
The post-application period is a test of patience and persistence. Use this time not just to hope, but to actively enhance your application and prepare for future opportunities. Whether it’s updating colleges with new achievements, securing your financial future through scholarships, or preparing for possible interviews, each step you take is a step towards success. Remember, the end of one phase is just the beginning of another. Embrace it, and let your actions during this time reflect the best of who you are and who you aspire to become.
