Once you have decided, notify the colleges of your decision. You must respond to a college’s admissions offer by its deadline (usually May 1), or you will lose your place. Also, inform the colleges you are not choosing so that they can possibly offer your place to a student on their waiting lists.
Send the Deposit
Most colleges require you to make a deposit when you accept their offer of admission. The deposit goes toward your first year’s expenses. It is often nonrefundable. The deposit is your commitment to the college. If you do not send the deposit by the deadline, you may lose your place.
If you are on a waiting list, you may find out later that space has opened up. Now you have a new decision to make. Evaluate again where you want to go—the college that has just accepted you or the college where you have already mailed your deposit.
If you choose to go to the second college, you may not get back your deposit from the first one. However, do not base your decision on this. Instead, make your decision in terms of which college offers you the best overall opportunity.
Now Am I Done?
Not yet. True, you may have been accepted, responded, and paid your deposit. However, you must still successfully complete high school. If you do not, the college can withdraw its acceptance.
What If I Don’t Get In?
Colleges with limited spaces often have many more applicants than spaces. Unfortunately, they cannot accept every qualified student who applies. Although you might be very disappointed if you don’t get into your favorite college, focus on the positive.
Concentrate on the colleges that have accepted you. Many students look back on what at first seemed like a disappointment as the beginning of a wonderful opportunity somewhere else!
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