College Smart Start

Allowed to wallow, but just for a moment, please do not say "it'll be okay"-- because in the moment it does NOT feel like that.

While I genuinely believe that it's not a rejection, but a redirection– and that students genuinely do end up where they belong, that's about the last thing that a disappointed student or parent wants to hear, understandably so.

Can you reapply? NO

Can you petition for reconsideration? MAYBE, but only with reason– schools RARELY overturn decisions without new info (medical, learning challenges, extenuating circumstances)-- oftentime, even new grades won't be considered– but it's worth a call, but don't count on it.

Wallow– and then dust yourself off. This is why dream schools can be nightmare-ish.

Where you go isn't who you are– and there's always the opportunity to transfer, apply for grad school, etc if you're still hoping for that ONE schools

A deferral isn't a no– it can be a NOT YET. It can also be a way for schools to 'kick the can' down the road or a "soft no".

Look at their stats– did they defer 10% or 100% of the non-accepted students?

How is a deferral different from a waitlist?

First, see what the school wants from you– typically: Update on grades

Possibly an update on scores, if you have new ones to share

And if schools allow you to update them on your activities, DO SO.

Headspace MATTERS. Can't be angry/disappointed. Think of this as another shot at it– and if you haven't 'improved yourself', DO SO NOW– take a course, volunteer more.

But you ABSOLUTELY want to ensure that you have some backup plans ready to go in case that this doesn't happen.

Senior grades might barely matter or they might be a very important part of your application– like most things in admissions, it's very much an "it depends". Students should be aware that all acceptances are conditional– and having a change to one's grades might have an impact on admissions, merit awards, and more.

It's a Maybe.

If applying EA/ED/rolling and accepted before January, it's possible that just remaining academically eligible is enough/not falling off of a cliff

If applying RD or after January or are DEFERRED, then first trimester or semester grades likely will matter- A LOT.

You CAN lose your admission AND your scholarships. You're not done until you're done– all acceptances are conditional.

Changes in schedule might also impact acceptance and/or merit.

Early Decision can provide a boost– sometimes a VERY significant one– to student's chances of admissions. In today's episode we detail how to determine whether Early Decision provides an advantage— and if so, how much of one– as well as what are the conditions and considerations of an Early Decision application.

There are a number of schools that will GUARANTEE admission with a certain GPA and/or SAT/ACT score– and many of those schools also guarantee merit scholarships. Even without a stellar resume and essay, you can have great options at a reasonable cost.

Guaranteed admission

Kansas

Arizona

Arizona State

SD School of Mines

Nebraska

Iowa

Iowa State

GUARANTEED MERIT

WVU

Alabama

Troy University

Arizona

FAU

USF

Guaranteed admission

FRIDAY:

ED ROCKETSHIP vs NUDGE

https://www.collegeconfidential.com/lists/best-colleges-to-apply-early-decision-2023/?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=102023

There are SO many options, beyond just community college (though that can be a great option, too!) for students that are (sometimes far) less than perfect.

GED to AA to top school

AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate), and Dual Enrollment are all considered to be rigorous courses– something that colleges like to see in their potential students' transcripts. But not all options are created equal, learn more about each option and how to determine which might be best for you.

While it is often difficult, if not impossible, to make any one specific school more affordable, but it is VERY possible to find ways to make school more affordable. Rather than focusing only on one, specific school, fall in love with criteria– and find schools that have similar qualities at a lower price point

The cost of college can be daunting and overwhelming, but there are ways to potentially make it more affordable either through merit and/or financial aid. Learn the differences between the different types of aid and scholarships and how to determine which type of school will be the best value/most affordable.

Not all students and careers demand top ranked schools, in today's episode we'll delve into how to best navigate and determine which type of school might work best for your future.