subject: Early Decision And Early Action - The Waiting Game Is Almost Over [print this page] Early Decision And Early Action - The Waiting Game Is Almost Over
As if holiday stress is not enough, many high school seniors are waiting around anxiously for replies from schools to which they applied Early Decision or Early Action. Some students will be thrilled that they have a college that wants them and one that they want to attend also. Some students will be disappointed because they are either rejected or put into the regular admissions group and have to wait some more. Most will hear something by the middle or end of December. What do you do until then?Here are five suggestions to keep you occupied during the waiting game:1. Check your email regularly. Colleges will not call or text you on your cell phone if they need some missing information, nor will they contact your parents or high school counselor. You are in charge as the college applicant and they expect you to respond if needed. Many schools also email you with their college decision before you receive an official confirmation letter.2. Look at the college websites to see if they have provided an admissions update. This might give you an idea as to the status of your application or when you can expect to receive an admissions decision. Do not contact the schools. This is not a time they want to hear from you.3. Keep searching for scholarships that become available and apply for any for which you think you might qualify. Many scholarships do not have deadlines until March or April. This gives you plenty of time to choose the ones for which you quality and start on essays that may be required. Keep in mind that while $500 may not seem like much, it can help to pay for books and incidentals.4. Make sure your parents have filled out the FAFSA form online and any other financial aid forms that different colleges require. The FAFSA form should be submitted as soon after January 1, 2011 as possible. If you are looking at schools that require the CSS form, you can find it on the College Board website.5. Keep your grades up and study hard for finals. Too many seniors get lazy and feel that once they have been accepted to a particular school, they can relax. This is a mistake you do not want to make. If your grades drop, colleges can and do rescind admissions offers and leave you without options.If you are accepted to a school through Early Decision, you have a binding agreement to attend. You must request that your other applications be withdrawn from other schools. If you are accepted Early Action, you have time to evaluate your college choices and make a final decision by May 1.
