Keys to College Admission Plan for College Matching Characteristics The Application The Admission Process Admission or Rejection Additional Articles

Admission or Rejection Admission Anxiety Will you be offered admission to your top choice colleges? While the final decision is up to each college admission committee, applicants can do a great deal to prepare for success and avoid anxiety. Which colleges are most likely to offer you admission? In your college research, consider what percentage of applicants are being offered admission. The higher the percentage, the better your chances. What are the average pre-college test scores and grades of successful applicants? Are your scores above or below? Admission rates and average scores are available through various reference books and computer listings, ask at your high school career center. How many college applications should you submit? A minimum of three colleges should be considered. One choice could be higher risk based on academic requirements. One should be a good match for your test scores and grades. Your third choice should be a safety, where you can be sure of an admission offer. If you apply to more than three, remember each application requires a fee. Colleges often waive this fee for low-income students, be sure to ask if the fee poses a financial burden.   What to do if you are rejected for admission? Pick three or more colleges: The best way to avoid rejection is to plan carefully for success. Every prospective college students should consider at least 3 colleges. Students who plan to apply to a competitive college where admission may be difficult should also pick a 2nd choice where admission is more likely and a 3rd 'safety' choice where admission is certain. Appealing the Admission Decision: The admission decision can be challenged. If you feel that your application was not given a thorough review, you can write the institution a letter which describes your concern - giving evidence to support a second review. It is best to call ahead and ask the admission office what the procedure is for appealing the decision. Even if the admission decision is not changed, through the process of appeal you may learn where the weaknesses were in your application. The Back Door: If all else fails and you cannot get into your first-choice college as an entering freshman, consider another option. It is much easier to transfer into most colleges than to be accepted as a freshman applicant. If you attend your first two years at a local community college, you can still transfer to the impressive four-year university for your degree. No one ever asks where you attended college in your freshman or sophomore years. The degree of a transfer student is the same as that of a student who started as a freshman. Another tip is to apply for admission at a competitive college beginning Summer quarter. Summer classes are seldom full and college admission requirements may be more relaxed. You might also enroll as a non-matriculated student (not pursuing a specific degree). When later you apply to matriculate you will have already established yourself at that college and admission can be much easier.