The stockings are hung...

The stocking are hung by the chimney with care, students who applied under an early program will soon see how they fare!

While December 25 may be the date that children around the world look forward to, it is December 15 that can bring the biggest present to high school seniors:  a thick envelope and acceptance to the college of their choice!  What should students do as they nervously await their decision?

Know how and when you will hear.  While most colleges will inform students via email or students can check their account online, some still insist on sending the news via snail mail.  Know what mechanism your college uses and when exactly you can expect to hear.  Typically this information is posted on the college website, but if not, it is not unreasonable to ask your college counselor or even to call the admissions office. 

Don't check the decision at school.  While it may be tempting to sign on in the school library or use your smart phone, wait to check in private and without an audience.  If the news is bad, it will give you a chance to compose yourself.  And if the news is good, you won't make your friend, who did not get in, feel worse.

If the decision is yes. Inform and personally thank your college counselor and the teachers who wrote letters of recommendation for you.  You might even want to consider writing them a note or dropping off some small gift.  They wanted you to get in almost as much as you did!

If the decision is no.  Don't despair.  Take some time to digest the news and forget about the college process--go to a movie, go for a run, meet a friend for coffee.  Keep in mind there are many other students out there who were also deferred, but they  are also keeping the news to themselves.  You will get in and go to college!

Make an appointment with your college counselor to discuss your list and your plan of attack.  Do your best work on the remaining applications and do not assume that, because you did not get in, your essay was bad or your teacher did not write a good letter of recommendation.  This process is very unpredictable. 

If you were deferred or postponed. It may not mean NO, but instead Not Now!  File all your other applications, then refocus on the deferral.  If you do nothing, you will likely not be admitted.  Follow the instructions given by the college.  They probably want to see seventh semester grades.  In addition, unless the college explicitly tells you otherwise, write a letter updating the college on how disappointed you were not to get in, what you have done since you applied, and why the college is such a good fit for you.  You may want to consider asking another teacher, coach, or employer for another letter of recommendation.