Admissions Decisions

(Reprinted with permission from Holderness School)

Getting the News - Accepted, Deferred, Denied, Wait‑Listed

Early Decision and Early Action applicants get "the news" from colleges within a month to six weeks from the application due date. As colleges often have more than one early decision pool now, it is important to know the notification due dates. Most often you are notified by mail‑‑the written letter is the official notification. Sometimes students hear unofficially, through a good relationship with admissions office personnel (rare), or from a coach. Remember the letter is official‑‑don't count on it until you see it in writing.

Acceptance - Congratulations! You did it!

If you applied early decision, you must immediately withdraw your other applications. (Just send them a postcard). If you are admitted early action, you can consider withdrawing applications from colleges in which you aren’t very interested so that you free up consideration for other, more interested applicants. If you are waiting for a financial aid package or estimate, you may wait to make any commitments until you receive the news. If your financial aid is a problem, please let your counselor know immediately. If it is late March or April when you get the news. Before making a final decision, students often benefit from revisiting their top choice colleges. Then, notify the first choice college of your decision to attend, accompanied by a deposit. This must be done by May lst. Then, as a courtesy, please notify the other colleges to which you were admitted that you have decided to matriculate elsewhere.

Deferral - (only available in an early decision action application) O.K! Not what you wanted, but not a rejection. It gives us a clearer read on your candidacy and qualifications. Time to put the rest of your list into action. Now, first, respond to the deferral letter, expressing your continued interest and determination to succeed. Next, if they ask for some supplement to your early application, do it. Colleges often want more samples of current work, another teacher recommendation, etc. Winter and spring term grades become very important in finally earning an acceptance. Be sure to have score reports sent to all the colleges on your list, and update financial aid information‑‑add more colleges‑‑to your CSSPROFILE. Remain optimistic - good options remain for you if we've put together a solid list. Come in and talk to your counselor.

Denied - You maybe hugely disappointed, very surprised, or might have expected it. Feel free to come and talk to your counselor. We can help you maintain perspective on this decision.

Wait- List‑‑This is a complicated step in the admissions process, but it does hold out some possibility of future opportunities. Here are some ways the wait‑list can work for you:

§ Show your continued interest in a college. Follow the instructions in your wait‑list letter form the college. Return the response postcard immediately. Then, follow up that letter with a letter to the Dean or Director of Admissions, stating why you wish to attend. If the college is really your first choice, say so. If, at a later time you wish to remove your name from the wait list, notify the college in writing.

§ Once you have completed “step a" above, do not pester the college or your counselor. Be graceful and respect the decision‑making which must occur. Rest assured, we will continue to advocate on your behalf.

§ If you have more than one wait‑list opportunity, prioritize your list. Usually the moment of decision of accepting or rejecting an offer is limited, so be prepared in advance. Yes, it is OK to remain on several wait‑lists as long as you notify colleges that you are on other wait‑lists elsewhere.

§ Do not expect to hear anything before May lst.

§ Make your college decisions based on the acceptances you already have. Unfortunately, you have to base your decision‑making on not getting off a wait‑list anywhere.

§ Deposit at a college to which you've been accepted by May 1st. Without the deposit made by the deadline, your place is not guaranteed.

§ Keep working on academics right through to the end of the year. Strong end‑of‑year grades might make the difference.

§ Keep the Guidance Office informed, so they can work on your behalf. We need to know your thoughts, priorities, and desires.

All seniors:

Please note that every acceptance letter includes a statement regarding the conditions of your acceptance. Colleges have admitted you based on the course of study you submitted on your transcript and the grades that you have and will continue to receive in those courses. It is very important that your grades remain steady. If there is any significant change‑‑course change, significant grade change‑‑colleges may reserve the right to reconsider an acceptance. Same goes for any disciplinary infraction: acceptance is contingent upon finishing your year at TA in good standing‑‑with your leadership titles, varsity letters, yearbook position, and attendance at TA intact. You must report any significant change in your status to your college. (If colleges ask the Guidance Office to respond, we must report).