Decision Time – or is it?
Shelly Humbach • April 14, 2020
May 1 is traditionally National College Decision Day. Typically, schools require that students choose where they will enroll by submitting an enrollment deposit on or before May 1. That makes April – decision time. Of course, this year things are feeling very different. A large number of colleges have already extended their enrollment deadlines to June 1. Making a college choice right now may feel very difficult (or very easy depending on where you were at in the process). Regardless, you might be asking yourself some of the questions below.
Can I ask for an extension?
Of course! It doesn’t hurt to ask. Although the college may still have a May 1 deadline, many have said they will make extensions on a case by case basis. You could be waiting on a financial aid appeal, or for more information from one college that would affect your decision at another. Make your case requesting an enrollment deadline extension in writing to the admissions office.
What if I’m on the waitlist?
Unfortunately for many students, it seems like colleges are sending lots of waitlist offers this year. Forgive the sports metaphor – colleges want a deep bench in case their freshman enrollment numbers don’t play out the way they typically do. Waitlist updates could continue throughout the summer. As with every year, it’s best to send an enrollment deposit to a second-choice college that has admitted you even if you are on the waitlist at your first-choice. There is no way to know if you will get accepted from the waitlist.
Maybe I should do a gap year?
It’s possible – if you truly feel that’s in your best interest and you have a plan. However, this may not be the best choice if you weren’t already considering this option before the pandemic. Most colleges defer enrollment for only a small number of students and they usually consider those requests on a case by case basis. You should have solid answers for these three questions: 1) why do you want to take a gap year; 2) how will you spend your time; and 3) what will you learn from your experience?
My school is not open, I haven’t talked to my counselor, what about my final transcript?
Colleges understand that these are exceptional circumstances. No one in education has ever experienced a disruption of quite this level. Although colleges require your final high school transcript as a proof of graduation (and many also review your final high school grades), allowances will surely be made to get those transcripts submitted.
We are doing online learning – they say our grades will be pass/fail.
Again, colleges are going to be making way for a lot of exceptions. Don’t panic about final grades not looking like they normally would. High schools across the country are doing their best in this unprecedented situation. Colleges understand that. Whether it’s sending unofficial documents via email, or extending the deadline, or waiving final grade requirements – submitting final enrollment paperwork may look differently this year. The same may also be true for orientation, housing contracts, and registration.
Take Action
The best advice for now is to stay informed. Visit the admitted student websites (often) for the colleges you are considering, attend any online enrollment events, and read all of the email communication you receive from colleges! Be in touch with your advisor (and your high school counselor) as they may have updates about changes to deadlines or policies. And finally, NACAC is providing this online resource to students and families as a centralized place where you can check for updates on all your schools.
In June, I hosted my annual Senior Essay Writing Workshop. This was the first in-person workshop since 2019. I bet you can guess why. I was elated to meet my students face-to-face after months, even years, of connecting through the screen. Imagine my surprise at their height, super-smiles, and warm laughter. Dang, it was wonderful. So, essentially, all my in-state seniors gather at my house for a three-hour intensive workshop on crafting a killer college essay. As I was preparing for the event, it occurred to me that I might be in competition with their PHONE. Classic directness (this is probably a character flaw) led me to inform my students and their parents, in advance, that this would be a no-phone gathering. My messaging went something like this, Important: Phones are placed in a basket at the door and retrieved at noon. No exceptions. Parents: If you need to reach your student during the workshop, text me directly at **********. Now, I am fully on board with the phone-free movement. I support it, advocate for it, and live it (I brilliantly quit all personal media last November). And I thought: my event, my rules. I was a little concerned about how this announcement would land. Turns out my concern was mainly about the parents. The kids? Not so much. In fact, research indicates that students crave phone-free learning environments. Suffice to say, the workshop was a smashing success. Not a single student pushed back against the policy. One poor soul forgot to retrieve her phone and left it sitting all alone in the basket. Not to worry, though. She didn’t get far before turning back to grab it. Here’s the truth: We don’t have to bow down to every technological whim or societal pressure. As adults, we know the phone is a problem, and it’s our job to foster healthy, happy individuals. So let's keep this momentum going. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When you know better, do better.”
I work with incredible colleagues; collaborative, smart and supportive. They make me better and I am deeply grateful. Every year, Jennie Kent and Jeff Levy of Big J Educational Consulting share invaluable information regarding college admissions. Their research is impeccable and accurate and provides crucial data to help students and families make informed college decisions. Read on, share broadly and give a shout out to these generous professionals! Early Decision and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Domestic Undergraduate Need-Based and Merit Aid Class of 2028 In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates Class of 2028 Financial Aid for International Noncitizens Class of 2028 International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield Class of 2028 Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores Class of 2028 Athletic Divisions and Conferences (partial list) Class of 2028 - NEW! These charts are visual, interactive, and easy to use. They make it possible to instantly sort using any column's metrics and to easily compare subsets of colleges. They are free and can be accessed at www.bigjeducationalconsulting.com/resources . From Jennie and Jeff: We hope you find these resources helpful in your work guiding students. Please feel free to share them broadly as long as they remain in their original unedited form. Permission is not granted to those charging a fee for their distribution. If you find an error after cross-referencing with an institution's Common Data Set, please contact us at info@bigjconsult.com . Thank you!
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