Deferred/ Waitlisted/ Denied? - Time to Redirect

Seniors have reached the halfway mark…and there is still plenty to do and not a minute to spare. A good place to start is to evaluate your goals (dreams) and assess your college application list. Here are some suggestions to follow up or consider as second semester begins:

·       Accepted ED: Send in deposits and possibly create new social media accounts to start fresh in your search of a compatible roommate.

·       Deferred, Waitlisted, Denied ED or EA: this is a perfect time to adjust your lens in seeing how holistic admissions really works. You have been given the gift of redirection.

o   Gift of redirection: This year’s initial data is favoring yield. Waitlists are going to be longer and will favor full-pay students throughout the spring and early summer. It is mid-January and honestly not much is going to change from your initial application. On the plus side, it is mid-January, and you are receiving acceptances and merit aid from schools that want to invest in you and are excited to have you among their first choice students!

o   Self-Inventory: You are a half-semester or year wiser than when you started your college journey. Have your priorities or values shifted?  In my experience, distance from home and the cost of college become a reality at this time of the senior year. Don’t avoid the difficult conversations…schedule time to talk with parents and trusted adults about the thoughts in your head and what your gut is telling you.  

o   Assess your list: Are the remaining colleges you applied to still meet your needs and wants? You are in an amazing location for higher education…think of the colleges that are easily within your reach in a 100 mile radius or less and have rolling or later deadlines.

January and February may be your point of conflict in your fairy tale, and now is the time to pause, reflect, and share. Your last day to finalize your enrollment plan is May 1 (National Intent Day) and best decisions are made when you are happy, healthy, and secure. And everybody loves a happy ending…