You've received your first college acceptance letter, and you're bubbling with excitement!

After you've shared the news with your loved ones and celebrated this major accomplishment, you're left with some choices to make. Is this college "the one?" Are you ready to commit?

There's no need to jump immediately at the opportunity. In fact, it definitely serves you to weigh your options and make the right decision for you. So before you commit, here are some steps to take after receiving a college acceptance letter.

1. Weigh Your Options

Receiving your first college acceptance letter is exciting, but it is not the end all be all. You may have more acceptance letters on the way to your mailbox.

Even if you think your heart is set on one specific school, it's smart to wait for other options. For example, you may get an unexpected scholarship from another college that you just can't refuse. It's important to consider a variety of factors before making your decision.

In the meantime, stay organized. You may want to keep all of your letters in a folder with a running list of where you've been accepted and which schools you're waiting to hear back from. This will make it easier to review the documents and offers once you are closer to making a decision.

2. Do Your Research

You likely did some preliminary research while you were applying to schools, but now that you're receiving offers, things are getting real. It's time to dig deeper and get to know more about the college you're considering.

A few things to find out about each of your options include:

·college size (total attendance, average class size, faculty to student ratio)

• Graduate outcomes
• Information on the location (and surrounding areas)
• Tuition and fees
• Internship opportunities
• Work-study opportunities
• Clubs and organizations
• Housing options

Also, read up on each college’s academic offerings as part of your research. Although you don't have to declare a major right away, it's important to make sure your chosen school has a program that aligns with your future goals.

Many colleges have student ambassadors who are available to answer any questions you may have. You can contact them online, or you can connect with them in person if you schedule a campus visit.

3. Crunch the Numbers

Cost is an important determinant when it comes to choosing a college. Admissions letters are often accompanied by scholarship offers and financial aid estimates. You will want to factor these offers in when determining the cost that remains to be covered out of pocket, by loans, etc.

Consider the differences between in-state, out-of-state and international tuition as you compare costs. If you're looking at an out-of-state college, see if there's an option to declare residency after a year or two to reduce your costs.

If you're choosing a local school, look into grants for state residents because you may be eligible simply by graduating from an in-state high school.

4. Talk to Friends, Family and Mentors

Making the decision of which college to attend can feel overwhelming. That's why it's important to talk it out with those who are close to you or have experience with choosing a school.

Whether it's a parent, an older sibling, or your high school guidance counselor, find someone you trust to walk by your side through this process. Brainstorm, brain dump and weigh your options.

Plus, those who have attended college will likely pick up on things or ask questions that may have never crossed your mind, so their insight can be super valuable.

It's important to recognize that while your loved ones might have a lot of experience, wisdom and opinions, the choice is ultimately yours.

5. Visit Your Top college in Person or Virtually

You can't beat the experience of visiting your preferred schools before making your decision. A school may look great on paper, but nothing makes up for that real first impression.

Whether it's through a self-guided tour, a group tour or a virtual tour, touring your top schools will likely affect how you feel about the school and reveal more information about the location, academics and environment. Many students will say that visiting a school is what ultimately influenced their final decision.

6. Submit Your Decision on Time

Once you've made a decision, it's time to accept the admission offer from your chosen school.

Typically, you'll submit your decision along with an enrollment deposit. This is usually for around $200-$600, and since it's a deposit, it will be applied to your balance for the first semester. Some schools offer waivers in instances of financial need or other qualifiers.

Make sure you're keeping track of the enrollment deposit, housing application and other deadlines. Schools that have accepted you should keep you in the loop with approaching deadlines, but it's a good idea to be proactive.

After you've submitted your decision, you have some time to submit the rest of the required documents and information to ensure a smooth start in the fall.

Here are a few things that you'll need to submit after you pay your enrollment deposit:

·Final high school transcripts

• Proof of residency (for in-state tuition)
• Proof of insurance (if opting out of the university's policy)
• Copy of your birth certificate
• Housing application

Look for important information from your school on how to submit these documents.

7. Get Ready to Start College

Once you've committed to your chosen College by submitting your enrollment deposit, it's time to get ready for college! Unless you're starting in the summer term, you'll have a few months to prepare.

However, now's the time to start meeting people from your new school. This will help you make some friends and get to know your future classmates. Attend admitted students events, check out online meetups and follow your future school's official social media channels to stay connected.

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your days in high school.

How Long Do I Have to Accept a College's Offer of Admission?

Every college has different rules for when you have to accept college admission and enroll. Usually, the enrollment deposits are due in the spring around the time of graduation. However, some colleges have earlier deadlines, especially for more competitive programs.

Here at Bucknell University, we have separate deadlines for Early Decision and Regular Decision applicants. Early Decision applicants must submit their enrollment deposits by either the Early Decision I (mid-January) or Early Decision II deadline (mid-March), whereas Regular Decision applicants have until May.

Every student has to submit their final high school transcripts by July 1 to secure their admission.

Thinking of deferring your admission to another semester? Students who wish to defer admission must submit their requests by June 1.

Looking for more information on admissions and enrollment? By Bucknell University

The spring semester presents a wonderful opportunity to take an inventory of your academic experiences thus far, especially the positive ones. While underclassmen with fewer experiences may have a tough time determining interests or passions, there are simple questions to help identify them.

For example, start with a list of your classes and review them one by one. Were there any units or topics you particularly enjoyed? Were there any topics or concepts you found surprising, challenging, or unsettling? Were there questions left unanswered that you would like to explore? Were there any experiences you would like to repeat or build on? Answering these questions should help create overall themes or ideas to pursue this summer.

Don’t forget to explore your other passions, too! Have you invested in Bitcoin or want to mint an NFT? Consider pursuing an independent project about cryptocurrency. Do you love scrolling through Instagram or TikTok in your free time? Why not use social media for an independent project?

Now that you have a couple of ideas in mind, it is time to consult trusted resources for leads on specific programs, suggestions, or opportunities. If you have established a relationship with your school counselor, consider connecting with them soon to get their advice. As a counselor, my email inbox is full of summer opportunities for my students. Similarly, your school counselor will likely have several suggestions to help you narrow your search. Community leaders, school administrators, teachers, club sponsors, religious leaders, coaches, or mentors could also help you discover relevant summer opportunities, especially if your interests fall in their areas of expertise. Don’t be afraid to reach out!

Additionally, many college websites are excellent sources for summer suggestions. For example, universities such as MIT, Stanford, and Tulane offer general advice ranging from how to prepare for their specific applications to specific advice and links to summer programs for high school students.

Lastly, don’t forget to consider yourself to be a trusted source as well! If there are books, hobbies, inventions, etc., that you have stumbled upon naturally, it could be valuable to explore them further this summer.

Do Not Delay  

Now that you have identified the “what” (your theme or general idea) and the “how” (specific opportunities or programs), it is also important to pay attention to the “when” in order to successfully plan your summer. The steps noted above may take some time to achieve, so starting sooner will allow you to keep more opportunities open.

I wish summer opportunities had a definitive planning period, but unfortunately, it can span the entire spring semester. Some of the most selective research opportunities for high school students have already closed their applications, while other programs have yet to even list their summer courses! Local opportunities may become more readily available as the year progresses, with a flurry of activity in April and May. Regardless, having an idea of the experiences you would like your summer to include can help you prepare for when these opportunities open up.

Since the Supreme Court decision to end race-based admissions policies in 2023, many colleges and universities have a renewed interest in recruiting first-generation (first-gen) students, as a way to attract students from diverse backgrounds. There are many definitions for first-gen students, including a student whose parents or guardians have not graduated from a four-year college or university. The Center for First-Generation Student Success reports that 56 percent of all postsecondary students in the United States have parents who don’t hold bachelor’s degrees.

According to Nicole Conway, assistant principal at Bethlehem Central High School in Albany County, New York, “After seeing the incredible impact my former school’s first-gen program had on its students, I was excited for the opportunity to start Bridge to College (B2C) at Bethlehem Central High School. Under the leadership and guidance of two of our most veteran and passionate school counselors, we have supported nearly 100 first-gen students and families over the past five years. To know that we have played a part in changing the trajectory of these students’ lives is why we are so passionate about the program!” 

1. Research effective first-gen programs, and plan your structure. To create a vision for our program, we considered the needs of our population and visited a first-gen program in Massachusetts, Transitioning Together. The team warmly welcomed us and shared resources. During this productive visit, we met with the coordinators, alums, and other people involved with their program. Similar to a college visit to determine fit, the high school visit gave us an opportunity to dream, plan, and discuss what would be best for us. 

During weekly planning meetings with the leadership team, we created the calendar for junior year and senior year, booked rooms, and developed a schedule and agendas for each meeting. We also worked closely with the English as a second language teacher, who provided recommendations for students and also served as a mentor.

To promote the program, we worked with communications to develop a website. A mailing was sent to all teachers introducing the program to recruit volunteer mentors. A grant from a local community organization was secured to purchase B2C T-shirts, and the principal assisted with funds for activities.

In January, a mailing was sent to the Bethlehem Central HS community inviting students to apply, and applicants interviewed with a member of the leadership team. The ideal number of students for us was between 15 and 20—we found that was a good number for us to keep the program small and personalized. Each year, we invited a few extended family members who were current students to participate and attend meetings for students who couldn’t commit to attending regular meetings. 

In the first meeting of the year, students were excited, nervous, and proud of becoming part of a first-gen community. They met their mentors, and we discussed the program expectations (regular attendance and communication with mentors is important) on an interactive white board. Mentors provide essential support for the students, in addition to the leadership team and their school counselor. The program starts in the spring of junior year and continues senior year.

2. Establish mentors as a key aspect of the program. Ideally, the best mentors are teachers. They know the students in the building, and students have a level of comfort with faculty. Teachers and administrators were excited to get involved, and a number of them were also first-gen students. An announcement of the B2C cohort was sent to teachers, and they could volunteer to work with students they knew. After pairing up mentors, we facilitated mentor training and discussed the schedule for the year. 

3. Schedule college visits. In the fall of their senior year, we take a group of enthusiastic and inquisitive B2C students to campus visits at both a private college and a public university in the local area. The team selects colleges and universities based on the cohort’s interests and needs. The visits include a tour, information sessions, and lunch. The visits are a proud tradition for us and a wonderful opportunity for students to dream, explore, and experience college. We’ve been able to receive grants from the Bethlehem Community Fund to cover the cost of lunch, and the district assists with the cost for transportation.

4. Offer SAT prep. All B2C students are invited to attend a free SAT prep course in the spring of their junior year starting in May and leading up to the June SAT. This is a $1,500 course that is supported by the district. Additional students are nominated by counselors to attend the six-week, 90-minute prep course. Exploring free options like Khan Academy is also possible. 

5. Hold a college application boot camp. In the summer before their senior year, B2C students are encouraged to attend a two-day boot camp at our school for four hours each day. The boot camp schedule includes tips from counselors, Scoir overview, guest speakers from local colleges, and a hands-on work session for college applications. On the second day, students select a beginner or advanced college application work session and brainstorm essays with an English teacher mentor. These boot camps provide a supportive space for students to make progress on their applications and feel good about their efforts. 

6. Emphasize communication. Regular communication with mentors, parents/guardians, and students is important. During the early years of our program, we used Remind and a Google Chat group to communicate with B2C community members. Now, our B2C Google Classroom provides updates, scholarship and financial aid information, summer programs, and college essay information. 

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

As I reflect on the last five years, I am grateful. We have amazing faculty who are generous and committed to this program. One key aspect we identified during this process includes securing payment for the leadership team.

Start small and consider building up your program each year. Identify a volunteer who can track and communicate with first-gen alums. One of our favorite meetings that we hold includes a panel of former B2C students who are at college. First-gen programs are life-changing because they provide an important community for students as they prepare for life beyond high school. By Lisa Carr

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CONGRATULATIONS! Welcome to the class of (insert year) at (insert college name)....”

This is often as far as the excited college applicant reads in their acceptance letter. Even if you did read the next few sentences, rarely does the warning stand out. The wording differs from school to school, but usually, it reads something like this: “Keep working hard because we will be doing a final transcript review at the end of the year and your offer of admission is contingent upon the successful completion of high school with the same commitment to excellence that you demonstrated in your application.” In other words, “don’t take your foot off the gas, beware of your actions, and don’t screw this up!”

But what really happens if you do not hold up your end of the deal? Perhaps your grades sink, you face disciplinary trouble, or you make a misstep on social media. You are likely to receive a letter stating that your acceptance is in jeopardy. Yes, this does occur and most high school counselors and college admission deans have examples from unfortunate experiences where seniors have slipped. These instances can seem hypothetical, so I asked colleagues to share some specific examples and advice.

Let Us Count the Ways

There is not only one reason that a student could have their admission revoked. It is at the discretion of the school to determine when you have, or have not, upheld the same standards as when you were admitted. The following are circumstances that high school counselors shared in which a student lost their admission:

·  Arrested on drug charges.

·  Punched another 12th grader in the face in the second semester.

·  Falsified their high school record.

·  Dropped rigor in the classes that they were taking.

·  Grades fell seriously and the explanation that the student provided- was not enough to explain or provide context.

·  Violated the Early Decision agreement by applying to several schools ED.

·  Inappropriate social media activity.

·  Assault of a sexual nature.

·  Dismissed from high school for threatening a community member.

·  Admission to a UK college was rescinded for falling short of the predicted results in the IB exam.

Are you ready for regular decision notification dates? Admissions offices across the US are working hard to get through hundreds of thousands of regular decision college applications for the class of 2026 in order to notify students of their decisions by the spring.

Generally, most colleges aim to have regular admission decisions ready by the end of March. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic brought a lot of changes to the admissions cycle, including extended regular decision deadlines, which impacted decision dates. Even the Ivy League schools pushed their regular decision release dates back to April 6th in 2021. This year, many colleges are aiming to announce decisions closer to their regular timing, which means March release dates will be more common.

Last year, many colleges reported record-high increases in early applications, and it’s likely that this trend will continue into 2022. Consequently, it’s important to keep track of every component of the admissions process, including regular application decision notification dates for the class of 2026.

One of the biggest mistakes many families make is assuming they won’t receive any aid from colleges and universities. Parents frequently put a stranglehold on their child’s college list and tell them that they can only attend an in-state institution because that’s all they believe they can afford. The myth of one price for all is simply not accurate.

The reality is that paying for college is more similar to paying for an airline ticket, i.e., you could be sitting next to someone who paid twice what you paid or, unfortunately, that person across the aisle or in the dorm room next door may have paid remarkably less than you.

Financial aid is more available and abundant than a lot of families realize. This is especially true at the most selective and most expensive colleges. These colleges and universities have exceptionally large endowments. As college tuition has soared beyond the grasp of many families, these institutions have been pressured to raise the income threshold that allows families to receive aid.

Lynn O’Shaughnessy, my go-to guru for all things related to financial aid as well as a best-selling author and nationally recognized higher education expert who shares advice on her blog wwe.collegesolution, illustrated this phenomenon with this example:

“The parents in my hypothetical family have a gross income of $300,000, with $100,000 in taxable assets. (Aid calculations don’t take into account retirement assets, so a family could have millions in retirement accounts without jeopardizing aid.) My couple has one Princeton-bound student and another headed to another university. When I ran the numbers, Princeton would provide the student with a grant of nearly $26,000 for freshman year.”

It does seem remarkable that a family earning $300,000 annually would qualify for $26,000 in need-based aid. It also seems counter-intuitive that a pricier college might end up being cheaper than the sticker price on a less expensive school, but that is why financial advisors recommend that everyone complete the financial aid forms.

There’s a pattern to the way the media, as a whole, covers college admissions. A typical year of coverage for most—that’s most—media outlets goes something like this:

Mid-September—The US News rankings come out, and everyone clamors over the top-ranked college. It’s typically the same top-ranked college from last year; if isn’t, one of the top five from last year climbed the pile, which is seen as a real shocker. Like we’d never heard of that college until now, and this suddenly makes it a better school.

Late September/Early October—Coverage turns to the upheaval of applying to college, with every article featuring seniors discussing the anxiety of applying to Brown, Yale, Smith, or one of the only 25 colleges mainstream media acknowledges as existing.

Late March—Admissions decisions are out, and in a paean to the principles of mathematics, every media article cites increased application numbers at The Big 25, and—wait for it—decreased admission rates at all of them as well. Not a single one of these articles points out that the former is the cause of the latter—but that involves math, so there we are.

What’s wrong with this picture?

College Lists The media spotlight on the Top 25 launches many parents into action, for all the wrong reasons. If these are the best colleges, why isn’t my child applying to them? This upends a wealth of work done by the student and (one hopes) their school counselor; it also upends the self-esteem of more than one student who knows these schools are bad fits. But arguing with Mom and Dad’s “let’s see what happens” is a tough hill to climb, so off they go to apply, much like Faramir’s efforts to recapture Osgiliath in Return of the King.

Unnecessary Panic More than a few seniors are indeed intimidated by the college application process in mid-September. That’s normal, since they’re just getting started. If I handed a student a plumber’s wrench on September 15 and said “show me how it works”, that too would be stressful. Now, if I came back in a week and asked, “How’s it going?”, they would have mastered the thing with ease, because they had time to understand what they were doing. Huh.

Those “Other” Schools The media myopia pays a big price on the other 2000 colleges that serve all kinds of students in personalized and appropriate ways, but now appear to be second rate. This keeps students from looking at some schools just right for them, because—well, you know…

To be fair, not all media outlets treat college admissions like a celebrity sighting, although Varsity Blues hasn’t helped. Eric Hoover writes moving human stories about the real challenges some students face in this process, stories so good they have led to admissions policy changes. Inside HigherEd isn’t a household name, but their coverage of the entire range of colleges is nothing short of inspiring.

Still, the best-selling papers run up the same limited coverage of college admissions every year, and their effect is palpably bad on the college plans and psyches of far too many students. A modest step in the right direction would be running an October story that returns to the freaked out students of September, revealing they’ve largely got the hang of things right now. Even better, interviews with students applying to a great school like Northern Michigan, where the application takes a whopping 25 minutes to complete and the admit rate is 65%—a reminder that the current media lens on college admissions is clear, but too tightly focused.