Decisions: What Happens After You Apply to College?
Congratulations on submitting your college applications! After you’ve applied, the next steps can be exciting – and nerve-wracking – as you await your admission decisions. Here’s a guide to understanding what happens next.
Congratulations on submitting your college applications!
After submitting your applications, when you will begin to receive the results depends on the decision plan which you chose to apply under (early action, early decision, regular decision).
Hint: Click here if you need a decision plan refresher.
Most colleges will notify you of your admission decision on their online applicant portal. Below are the possible admission decision outcomes you may receive:
Admitted/Accepted
- What it means: Congratulations, you’ve been offered a place at the college! Make sure to review if you were accepted into the major of your choice.
- Next steps: Review the acceptance information and any accompanying materials on your online applicant portal. Complete the FAFSA and learn more about financial aid. In the next few weeks you should receive a financial aid award package on your portal;
Learn more here >
- Notify supporters: Update your school counselor, teachers, and family about your acceptance.
- Decision time: If you have multiple acceptances, consider attending admitted student events and comparing financial aid offers to make your final choice.
Accepted with conditions
- What it means: You’ve been offered a place at the college, but you must meet specific conditions, such as maintaining certain grades or completing specific courses.
- Next steps: Review the conditions carefully and ensure you can meet them. Submit any additional materials the college requests, such as your mid-year grade report. Update your school counselor and supporters about the conditional acceptance.
Accepted to an alternative program
- What it means: You’ve been offered a place in an alternative or special program or campus, such the University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts program, a spring start, or a special honors program.
- Next steps: Evaluate the alternative offer and decide if it aligns with your goals. Notify your school counselor and supporters about this decision.
Deferred
- What it means: If you applied through early decision or early action, a deferral means the admissions committee will re-evaluate your application during the regular decision period.
- Next steps: Continue to excel in your coursework and extracurricular activities. Submit any additional materials, including the mid-year grade report and the college requests. Consider sending a letter of continued interest.
Waitlisted
- What it means: You are placed on a waitlist and may be offered admission if space becomes available. It extends the possibility of admission no later than August 1, should space become available.
- Next steps: Decide whether to accept the waitlist offer. If so, follow the college’s instructions for remaining on the waitlist. Send a letter of continued interest and any new achievements or updates.
- Plan B: Consider your other acceptances and decide where you will enroll if the waitlist does not result in admission.
Denied
- What it means: Unfortunately, you have not been offered a place at the college.
- Next steps: Inform your counselor and supporters. Reflect on your remaining options and focus on the colleges where you have been accepted. Search NACAC’s College Openings Update to find colleges still accepting applications.
- Stay positive: Remember that admission decisions are not a reflection of your worth, achievements, or potential. Focus on the opportunities ahead.
What can you do while you wait to hear back from colleges?
Waiting to hear if you have been accepted is a stressful time. There are several steps you can take to ensure you’re prepared for whatever comes next:
Research: Take this time to dive deeper into the colleges you have applied to so you have that information when it’s time to make your decision.
Apply for financial aid:
Complete the FAFSA: Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure you will receive the most financial aid you are eligible for.
FAFSA >
Apply for scholarships: Apply for the State of Delaware Scholarships and search for other opportunities on the Delaware Scholarship Compendium.
Delaware Scholarship Compendium >
Stay focused: Stay engaged in your school and community, enjoy your senior year and the memories you’ll make, but make sure your academics do not slip.
What happens after you have been accepted:
Congratulations on your acceptance! Once you have selected the college you would like to attend, you need to finalize your enrollment by following these steps.
Officially accept: You have until May 1st, National Decision Day, unless you applied early decision, to officially accept the college’s offer of admission. You accept the offer of admission, typically through the college’s online application portal or email, and submit an enrollment deposit fee.
Pay enrollment deposit fee: This is a non-refundable fee charged by the college to secure your admissions spot and typically ranges from $100 to $300. Most colleges allow this to be paid electronically, typically through the online applicant portal.
Hint: Use the NACAC Enrollment Deposit Fee Waiver if the deposit fee would cause significant financial hardship, or ask the college to defer the payment until you receive your financial aid.
Review and accept financial aid package: Carefully review your award package and follow the college’s instructions on accepting it, typically through the online applicant portal.
Decline other offers: Email the other colleges thanking them and turn down their offers.
Inform your school counselor: Tell your school counselor of your final decision so they can send your final transcripts to the college at the end of the year.
Celebrate: Celebrate your achievement on May 1, National Decision Day! This is a significant milestone in your academic journey, so enjoy the moment with your family, friends, and supporters.
