What happens on college decision day?

College Decision Day — sometimes called College Signing Day — is a nationwide occasion when high school seniors make their final decisions about where to attend college for the upcoming academic year. On College Decision Day, you must notify the school about your decision and make your deposit to enroll.

How does college decision day work?

National College Decision Day traditionally lands on the first day of May each year. Decision Day is when first-year applicants commit to a college. Double depositing is considered unethical, but students sometimes do it.

What happens on decision day?

In the competitive world of college admissions, Decision Day holds a special significance for high school seniors. It marks the day that they officially launch their college careers by notifying their chosen university of their decision to attend in the fall.

What happens if you don't commit to a college by May 1st?

May 1 isn't the end of the process. Most campuses maintain a waitlist of students who weren't admitted originally. If the campuses have extra room after decisions come in, they'll offer spots to students on the waitlist later this spring and into the summer.

What are the early signs of college acceptance?

College Admissions: Inside the Decision Room

Do colleges reject or accept first?

Most universities send acceptance and rejection notices at the same time. Others have “rolling admissions” where you can apply almost any time and they will decide within a few weeks of your application. There's a third notice that you haven't mentioned: wait listed.

How do you know if a college didn't accept you?

It's not unusual for a college's application process to take four to six weeks. Colleges that have an application portal allow students to go online to check the status of their applications at any time. Also, many colleges post both acceptances and nonacceptances on the application portal at the same time.

Can a college reject you after you commit?

Or even, once you've decided on your school and put down your deposit, can colleges revoke acceptance after deposit? The answer to both of these questions is yes. Colleges do have the right to revoke an admission offer. This contingency is often written into the acceptance letter.

Can I accept college offer after May 1?

While May 1 has long been the traditional decision deadline across higher education – earning the name "College Decision Day" – there are always exceptions. Some colleges allow late admissions deadlines, some just a few weeks prior to a semester starting.

Do I have to commit by May 1?

Although many colleges and universities adhere to May 1 as the final date for students to make their decision, this deadline can vary by school. Read your acceptance letter carefully and note the specific dates the school requires to confirm your decision and submit a deposit.

What happens if you don't decide on decision day?

A: If you miss College Decision Day, you may lose your spot at the college or university you were considering. However, some colleges may offer extensions for extenuating circumstances. It's best to contact the admissions office when you know you've missed the deadline and ask if you can still confirm your spot.

What to expect on instant decision day?

Some institutions offer applicants another option: instant decision days. During these events – held at high schools, community colleges or universities – prospective freshmen and transfer students meet with an admissions officer, usually for about 15 minutes, and typically walk away with an admission decision in hand.

Can you still commit after decision day?

It's the day that decisions are due back to colleges, the deadline by which seniors must decide and commit to the institution they'll attend in the fall. But these decisions aren't binding and more and more often, colleges are starting to vie for candidates even after this deadline has passed.

Should you let colleges know you won't be attending?

It may not be something that they feel comfortable doing, but yes, it is customary (and thoughtful!) to let a college know that they do not plan to attend that particular school. Your child should communicate with every college and university they don't plan to attend.

How many colleges should you apply too?

In general, most students apply to between 8 and 12 colleges. This is a good range to aim for, provided that the applications you submit represent a broad variety of colleges. Ideally, you want to apply to at least two safety, four target, and two reach schools.

What happens if you miss college decision day?

Yes, even if you miss the priority deadline, there is still a chance you can get accepted at a school with rolling admissions. While you have a better chance of admission if you submit your application materials before the deadline, as long as there are still seats open in the class, you have a chance of acceptance.

Can you accept two college offers at the same time?

Most US colleges don't want you attending two institutions at the same time. But it is common to accept an offer and make a deposit, and then accept another offer at another university before enrolling in the first. You'd ordinarily lose your deposit at the first one.

How late can a college accept you?

For applicants who plan to start school in the Fall term, the deadline for regular application usually lies around December to January of the same year. However, it can be as early as November or as late as March.

What to do if you accidentally accept a college offer?

Whatever the reason, if you change your mind about going to a particular college or university after you've accepted, contact the admissions office as soon as possible.

What happens if you commit to a college but change your mind?

You generally will not receive your deposit back. If you prefer to attend another school, and that school's acceptance deadline has not yet passed, you can then pay the deposit and commit to that school instead.

Will 2 bs get me rescinded?

Yes, but it's unlikely that a B or even two Bs will lead to a rescinded offer. Colleges know students are human and don't want to upend their lives for a single B.

Do colleges look at senior year grades?

Your senior year provides colleges with a look at how you perform academically. It can make or break your scholarship chances. Since most scholarships also have a minimum GPA requirement, slacking off in senior year could ruin your chance at even applying for a scholarship in the first place.

Do colleges email you if you're not accepted?

Colleges send out emails to applicants, but they usually don't contain an acceptance or nonacceptance letter. Instead, the email you receive is likely going to direct you to the college's online application portal. Today, most colleges have an online portal where students can check the status of their applications.

Why do top students get rejected?

Admissions officers look beyond academic standing to make tough rejection decisions. Sept. 12, 2023, at 11:44 a.m. Poor fit and lack of demonstrated interest are among the common reasons college applications are rejected.

Why do colleges reject overqualified students?

Overqualified students can look great on paper, but some schools might not feel that you are the right fit for their campus culture or environment. Schools may reach this conclusion based on the contents of a student's application or as the result of an in-person campus visit or alumni interview.