Did I Get Accepted into My Top College Picks? The Waiting Game

Instead, here are some ideas on what you can do:

Envision yourself at the colleges you have applied to and start thinking about what you want to do when you get there. In other words, spend this time thinking about where you could imagine yourself a) being happiest, b) fulfilling your academic and extracurricular goals, and c) being offered the most opportunities (both during and after college).

Learn more about each school to which you’ve applied.  Pick up the phone or email someone in each college’s admissions office. Ask if there are current students or alumni that you could speak to in a candid way about life during and after college. You might want to specify the type of people with whom you’d like to speak. For example, if you know you want to play intramural basketball and major in chemistry, tell that to the admissions office so they can match you appropriately (speaking to a drama major who spends her extra time doing community service probably isn’t quite as helpful for you).

Learn more about each college’s classes.  Browse each college’s catalogue to see what classes they offer, to check out their extracurricular opportunities in-depth, and (if the campus is close enough) to spend time walking around, going to the campus center and visiting professors.

And if you are really stressed, apply to a safety school if you haven’t already.  You probably won’t need it, but if it makes you feel better, it’s worth it.

About The Author

Dr. Rachel Rubin

Dr. Rachel Rubin is the co-founder of Spark Admissions and holds a doctorate from Harvard University, where she was a Presidential Scholar. A former university faculty member and high school teacher, she understands the needs of adolescents and excels in guiding them through the admissions process, from identifying best-fit colleges to refining application essays. A U.S. Presidential Scholar and member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Dr. Rubin has helped thousands of students gain acceptance to their top-choice schools.

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