College Decision

Once you complete your college applications and all supporting documents have arrived in the college admissions office, your files are considered complete. Files will then start their way through the review process. For your peace of mind, you can check online to be sure that all your documents have been received. 

How Colleges Make Decisions

The decision process for colleges can be complex and will vary from school to school. Colleges and universities are looking for students who will blend well with their programs and culture. They will make decisions based on the strength of your application, how it compares to the overall pool of applicants, and whether it fits with the college’s enrollment objectives.

Once decisions are made, you will be notified by email or through a college portal. Most colleges will also send letters. This information will tell you if you’ve been accepted, denied, deferred, or waitlisted. Add these decisions to your MaiaLearning application status. Once you have decided where you will attend, be sure to update the status in MaiaLearning to reflect "Accepted—Attending." This will ensure your counselor knows where to send your final transcript after graduation.

How to Respond to Application Outcomes

Deferral

If you have applied Early Action or Early Decision, you may be notified that your application has been deferred. This means that your application will be reviewed again when all the regular decision candidates are considered. You are now free from any obligation to this school to attend if accepted, so you can apply to other schools. If you applied during the regular admission cycle and received a deferral, this usually means that the school would like more information that you should get to them as soon as possible so they can make a decision.

Waitlist

Colleges keep a waitlist because they aren’t sure how many students will accept their offers of admission. Students on the waitlist are ranked so that those at the top of the list will receive offers first if spaces become available. If your waitlist letter doesn’t include details, you can call and ask where you are ranked on the list, how many students have been enrolled from the waitlist in the past, and whether housing and financial aid will be available if you are offered admission. If you receive a deferral or waitlist letter from a first-choice school, you can be in touch with your regional rep or the admissions office to express your continued interest and to share any new information (honors, awards) that you think could help your application.

Acceptance

Once you decide which offer of admission to accept, you’ll need to notify the school by the specified deadline (usually May 1) and include a deposit. You should also notify any other school where you’ve been accepted to let them know you won’t be attending. The acceptance letter will also include additional information that will need your close attention. There may be details about a visiting weekend (attending could help you make your decision), a questionnaire about housing, and information on meal plans. Be sure to meet all deadlines for returning these materials. The financial aid letter will usually come in a separate envelope and will have its own deadline.

Finishing Strong

Colleges expect seniors to maintain their grades right through to graduation. The college you are planning to attend will ask for your final transcript. If they see that your grades have dropped significantly, they can withdraw the offer of admission.