Your student has submitted their college admissions applications or are almost at the finish line. You’ve also submitted the CSS Profile (if required) and are likely working on completing the FAFSA now that it is available. Once you hit the submit button and wait to hear back from the colleges, there are several things you should be doing while waiting. So, I’ve listed a few of them below.
Keep Track of Deadlines
Schools have different post-submission requirements. For example, some schools may ask for additional information such as transcripts, test scores, or letters of recommendation. Additionally, some specific programs may require supplemental applications or requirements (i.e., nursing, engineering, arts). So, if you haven’t already done so, I recommend creating a checklist with the deadlines for each school that your student applied to, and be sure to meet all their requirements.
Create an Institutional Portal Account
Most schools will invite your student to access and register for their online portal (i.e., typically anywhere from two to 10 business days after the college admissions application has been submitted). This is how the schools notify students of important updates and deadlines, as well as to inform them of missing information, if any. Additionally, many schools will also release their admissions decisions via their portals. Therefore, it’s very important that your student keeps a vigilant eye on their email inbox, as well as create accounts for their institution-specific portals. Don’t forget to save the login information in a safe place. Also, make sure that your student periodically checks the applicant portals (i.e., once or twice a week), thereby enabling them to track all components of their application.
Submit Necessary Financial Aid Forms
By now, you should have submitted the CSS Profile if any of the schools on your student’s list require it. These schools will require you to provide your tax information either via IDOC or their own institutional portal. So, again, please remind your student to be on the lookout for emails instructing you to upload your financial documents.
The FAFSA was officially released on December 1. However, to complete it, you and your student will need an FSA ID. If the parents are married but filed taxes separately, then both will need an FSA ID. If the parents are divorced or separated, then the parent that provides the most financial support will need an FSA ID and will need to provide their financial information on the FAFSA. The student will start the application first and complete their required sections. They will then be required to enter their parent(s) email address(es) and upon doing so, you will receive an invitation to access and complete your required sections of the application. Please aim to complete the FAFSA sooner rather than later, as some aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Maintain Good Grades
The senior year grades still matter. Therefore, it’s important for your student to continue working hard in their courses, maintain or improve their academic performance, and stay involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges may request a mid-year or final transcript that can impact their admission status. So, encourage them to finish their high school career strong by staying engaged because senioritis is a real thing.
Apply for Scholarships
Be diligent about searching and applying for scholarships offered by the colleges your student applied to first and foremost. Many schools will automatically consider students for scholarships just by virtue of the submission of their college admissions application. However, some will require a separate application or supplemental information (i.e., a portfolio showcasing their skills/talents/abilities or an additional essay). Next, search for external scholarship opportunities. Below are a few tips to consider when seeking private scholarships:
- Look for scholarships locally because they present you with the best chance of winning.
- Keep in mind that they aren’t easy to find, which means that not as many students will be applying – they usually aren’t in your national databases.
- Where to look – charities, civic groups, community foundations, libraries, parent/other relative’s workplaces, local newspapers (community section), and of course high school counselors.
Demonstrated Interest
Continue to show interest. Again, it’s important to stay engaged. Encourage your student to join online forums or social media groups of the colleges they applied to, which is a way that they can demonstrate their interest. Ask questions of current students, take virtual or in-person tours, and communicate with a college admissions and/or financial aid counselor. These activities could have a positive impact on their application. However, keep in mind that demonstrated interest at your elite, public, and selective institutions are typically not considered. One way to figure out if a school values demonstrated interest is to take a look at a database called CollegeData. More specifically, enter the name of the school in their search bar, select the “Admissions” tab, scroll down to the “Selection of Students” section, and see how they weigh “Level of Applicant’s Interest.” Below is an example of how Pepperdine University considers demonstrated interest.
Prepare for Waitlist, Deferrals or Denials
If your student receives a waitlist, deferral or denial notification, don’t lose hope. You can always appeal and provide any new updates or follow-up with the college to express continued interest in the school (particularly in waitlists or deferral cases). In the meantime, below are a few things to keep in mind and consider sharing with your student:
- Prepare by thoughtfully talking through possible outcomes with your student ahead of time.
- Be prepared to validate their feelings, as it’s normal to feel disappointed.
- Remind them of their positive qualities and communicate how proud you are of them. Share what you admire about them and praise them for all of the courage and effort it took to apply.
- Instead of viewing rejection as a personal failure, help them see it as an opportunity to grow. Was there anything they could have done differently or more of – and if not, then as long as they tried their best, that’s all that matters.
- Share that every rejection is not about them personally, that a single rejection does not define who they are nor is it a guarantee of future failures. Remind them of their current and past successes.
Closing Thoughts
Completing the college and financial aid applications is a huge feat and accomplishment. So, take time to celebrate and pat yourselves and your students on the back. However, don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re not done yet. Continue to pay attention to the deadlines, notifications, and details. Reach out to high school counselors or admissions reps if you have questions or concerns, as the post-submission phase is just as crucial as the application phase itself. Also, keep in mind that the waiting period can be quite stressful. Therefore, it’s important for students to take care of themselves (and parents too). Help them maintain a healthy balance between academic pressures and just being a teen. You can do this by engaging in activities that they or you as a family enjoy or by encouraging them to spend time with friends. With all that being said, I wish you all the best!