Accepted to College...Now What?

Accepted to College... NOW WHAT? You applied. You received the acceptance letter in the mail. You celebrated. Now what? GET MORE INFORMATION RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS Go beyond college rankings and examine academic prestige. Research the departments and faculty in the area(s) you'll be studying in. ASK QUESTIONS Make sure any questions you have about your school have been answered. Consider questions like: Is one school better known for one major than another? Are faculty engaged at school and in the field? How many students return after freshman year? What is the graduation rate? What can I do for fun, both on and off campus? What kinds of students feel at home at this college? DO NOT: say yes to more than one school. Colleges can rescind your admission if they learn you've done this. INVESTIGATE JOB CONNECTIONS Look into the career center for each school you're considering. Get more information on job fairs, on campus interview opportunities, internships, job placement rate, and the counselor to student ratio. << 2 VISIT (OR REVISIT) THE CAMPUS 3. 3 COMPARE FINANCIAL AID If you're debating between multiple schools, compare the financial aid awards side by side of your top choices. Understand the free money (scholarships and grants) and money you'll have to pay back (loans). Take another tour of the school - Just to be sure. Visit while classes are in session, attend a class, or consider spending the night to take full advantage of your visit before possibly enrolling. 4 4 DECISION TIME! Don't decide overnight, but don't let the time slip away. Colleges are serious about reply deadlines. If you don't send in your deposit on time, you risk losing your place. ACCEPT Respond to the college you've decided to attend. Make sure to send in the following items by deadline: Acceptance Letter MAY Separate acceptance letter for financial aid (if required) Deposit DECISION DAY Any other required items May 1 is known as National College Decision Day, as it is often the deadline for students to make deposits to the college of their choice. DECLINE Respond to the college whose offers you're declining. Send a brief note to other colleges and thank them and turn down their offer. This frees up space for other students. CONGRATULATIONS! You're IN! FINALLY • Take any placement tests if needed. • Send your final official transcript. GET SOCIAL! • Make any necessary residence hall decisions or preferences. Many colleges have Facebook pages, groups, or apps for admitted students to join and get to know each other before they arrive on campus. Sign up for orientation. Register for classes. Sources: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2011/03/15/7-tips-to-get- the-most-out-of-college-tours; http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a- decision/you-got-accepted-now-what; http://www.princetonreview.com/after-you-are- accepted.aspx; http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/24/college-admissions-acceptance-letter- opinions-contributors-accepted_slide_7.html; http://www.usnews.com/education/best- colleges/slideshows/10-steps-to-picking-the-right-school/1 CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE www.champlain.edu %24