College Decision Letters: What To Do After You've Been Accepted

By Kalen Cobb, Associate College Counselor

Congratulations on your college acceptance(s)! *Cue fanfare, drums, party* We know that it took a lot of hard work to get to this point and you should be proud of yourself. You are almost to the finish line–-let’s discuss what’s next.

How to Accept an Offer of Admission

1. Gather all your letters

Before you make your decision, make sure that you have all of the information in front of you. To ensure that you make a sound decision, gather all of the admission and financial aid letters you received, in addition to any notes that you might have taken during campus tours or information sessions.

2. Read your letters carefully

Once you have all the information in front of you to make a well-informed decision, make sure that you are reading the contents of your acceptance letter carefully. There are often instructions on how to accept your admission, when and how much the deposit will be to save your spot, and other important information including financial aid. Many colleges don’t expect a response until May 1st (read your letter to see if this is the case!), so please take your time and make sure you get all your questions addressed. 

Particularly as it relates to financial aid, make sure that what you are being offered will be extended beyond your first year. While this subject could be its own blog post, some schools offer amazing aid packages for incoming freshmen that don’t extend beyond the first year. Your financial aid package should clearly explain the amount, duration, and conditions of your offered aid. If it does not or you have outstanding questions, do not hesitate to contact the college’s financial aid office.

3. Respond to your selected college

Now we are ready to respond to your selected college. Most colleges will ask that you complete a short form accepting your admissions offer. This form will ask for basic details such as your name, contact information, your intended major, and ask that you accept or decline your admissions offer. In this case, make you select whatever choice corresponds to accepting the offer. 

In addition, you might be asked to complete a housing application if you intend to live on campus. It is important to be as honest as possible when completing this to ensure that you have the highest chance of receiving a compatible roommate. If you know that you like to stay up until 2:00 a.m., know that this probably won’t change anytime soon, and you should indicate this on the form. If you are someone who likes to keep things “creatively disorganized” also make sure you note that. Know that no one is judging your responses, so being truthful will best support you in the long run.

ALSO: Some schools will require you to accept financial aid separate from the offer of admission. Often you can choose to accept all the aid offered or adjust the amounts if you want to select a lower amount. Specifically, if you are offered subsidized or unsubsidized loans, make sure you understand how much you are accepting to take out and complete any associated paperwork.

4. Make your deposit to confirm your seat

In addition to accepting the offer of admission, you need to submit a deposit to save your seat. These deposits normally range from $100-500+ which indicates to the college that you intend to show up for classes in the fall. This is another reason that it is important to make a well-informed decision about which college you plan to attend. If you for some reason change your mind at a later date (i.e. you get off the waitlist at College B but you already made a deposit to College A OR you make a deposit to College A and then decide you want to go to College B before the decision deadline), you will need to pay an additional deposit. 

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and cannot afford the school’s deposit, reach out to their financial aid office. In many cases, they are able to waive or reduce the amount if you speak with them. You MUST speak with them to make this happen, though. Do NOT assume that just because your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) is low or the school gave you a full ride that the school knows you cannot afford the deposit. 

5. Sign up for pre-orientation and classes

Whew, we’re almost there! This step might not yet apply to you (read your letter carefully!) but make sure you note any pre-orientation or class registration you need to complete before your arrival on campus. Some colleges offer virtual pre-orientation “course” that students have to take related to campus safety, rules and regulations, class registration, and other important information. Mark these dates on your calendar and reach out to your school if you have questions.

How to Decline an Offer of Admission

1. Read your letters carefully

Okay, so hopefully you already did this, but we can’t say it enough: Read. Very. Carefully. Make sure that you are making an informed decision about where you will and will not go to school. Most schools will make the process very simple for you to decline–by sending an email or completing a short form–but pay attention to the specific process of each school.

2. Complete any required forms to decline your seat

Just as you had to complete a form to accept your admissions offer, you most likely will have to complete a form in order to decline your seat. If a school does not offer a form for this, reach out to your admissions officer to let them know that you will not be attending the school. It can be a brief email thanking them for their consideration and noting that you have chosen to go elsewhere, or even a phone call. Some schools might follow up with additional questions or information, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.

Choosing where to attend college is a big decision, one that should not be taken lightly. Make sure you are aware of decision deadlines so that you have enough time to make a well-informed choice that will support who you are and who you are becoming. If you need any support with your journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

This blog is the last part of the “College Decision Letters” series that explored what college decision letters are, how to navigate receiving them, and discusses the next steps in accepting/declining your college admissions offers. If you would like personalized support in navigating your college admissions journey, please check out our services.

We hope you will join us for our free, virtual conference for students of color on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 1-6 p.m. EST. While the conference is aimed at students of color, all are invited and welcomed to attend including parents, counselors, and consultants. You can find the link to register here: tinyurl.com/socfc.