EARLY DECISION and EARLY ACTION applications are in! Now What? —5 Essential Actions.

Congratulations to all high school seniors who submitted November 1 Early Decision (ED)  and Early Action (EA) deadlines!  We celebrate with you and commend you for your hard work.  Hitting the “submit” button feels great, but it doesn’t let you off the hook.  This complicated college admissions process also serves to demonstrate that you are prepared for the independence and planning skills that a successful college career requires.  
Here are your 5 essential To Do items:

#1.  Work on your Regular Decision apps now!  If the top college on your list does not make a binding offer of admission, or you did not get the EA result you wanted, you will have to submit the rest of your other applications in the beginning of January.  Some ED and EA decisions don’t come until the holidays.  Adding to disappointing news a long list of applications to complete can really put a damper on your winter break and unnecessarily add stress to the process.   

#2.  Keep your school college counselor in the loop.  Communicate with your school counselor about the ED and EA results but also about the colleges remaining on your list…well before you leave for winter break.  College counselors’ well-deserved break should not be spent sending recommendation letters and transcripts for students who did not get the work done on time.  This is especially important if you are working with an Independent Consultant; while they may be available during winter break, they do not have access to your official transcripts or letters of recommendation.  

#3.  Stay in touch, but don’t over do it.  If there are any significant changes to your academic profile such as a special local or national award,  change in your 2nd semester schedule, or special circumstance that changes what was reflected in your ED and EA applications, you need to notify the colleges to which you have applied.  

#4.  DO NOT let Senioritis get anywhere near you yet!   Focus on completing your entire Senior year on a high note, especially your first semester…if your grades slack below the level on which you were offered admission, a college has the right to revoke it.  

#5  Don’t do anything stupid.  Any disciplinary action against you must be reported by your school and can result in revoked admission decisions.  Yes, Senior year should be a fun time spent with friends enjoying the last days of high school, but it can easily get de-railed by a criminal or disciplinary charge against you, and even an inappropriate social media incident.  

Remember, as you tackle the college admissions process you are taking control of your future opportunities.  Stay positive and proactive, and ask for help if you need it.  If you are struggling to complete your applications by the deadlines give us a call or send us an email.  We are here to help!  Cathy Falkenberg: 614-202-8047 www.FalkenbergAdmissionsAdvising.com and Karen Curreri, MS: 310-613-5926  www.CurreriEducationalConsulting.com