GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.-- College consultant Keri Bahar dropped by the show this morning with some advice for college-bound students.
Seniors are starting to receive word back from the colleges and universities where they applied in the Fall. Here are five common questions that often arise.
1. I was waitlisted. What does this mean?
Being placed on a waitlist does not mean that you will not or cannot attend the school. What is does mean, however, is that you:
• SHOULD go ahead and accept an offer from another school. Waitlists continue to clear throughout the summer. You may not know if you will get off of a waitlist until June or July.
• SHOULD accept a position on the waitlist if you are still interested in the school. If not, you may not want to pursue this option.
• SHOULD see if an appeal process exists OR how you can continue to show your commitment. This can include sending in an updated resume, end of year grades, a letter to the Dean of Admissions or other representative letting them know of your continued interest.
• SHOULD consider if a spot is available to you at another college within a university. Perhaps you start in a Liberal Arts College rather than in Engineering with a goal of transferring to this college.
2. I have received a financial aid package that contains loans and grants. What should I know about this?
• The financial aid office has most likely put together a package for you that consists of grants, which you do not have to pay back, perhaps a merit scholarship, and loans. Loans usually make up the difference between what the college will give you and what your family has to contribute. The information is based off what your family submitted on their FAFSA and PROFILE forms.
• You should feel free to call and discuss this package with the financial aid office. Sometimes adjustments can be made. You need to be our own advocate! If your financial situation has changed, you do want to update the office.
• Confirm that the same package will be the same for all 4 years, assuming the student remains in good standing and that your financial situation does not change. If you win the lottery, you can assume the package may change!
• You do NOT need to accept all terms of the package.
• Follow deadlines for responding carefully.
3. I am waiting for an envelope. Where is it!?
• Not all schools notify by the US Mail anymore! The U of M will notify on email first and then follow up with mail. University of Chicago and New York University ONLY mail packages to those who were accepted. If you were denied or waitlisted, you will only find out on the student portals on these schools' sites.
• Not all acceptance letters come in big envelopes anymore! While this is the tradition, some schools like to keep you guessing until you open it!
4. Should I go and visit all schools to which I was accepted?
• Most schools will have student acceptance days, but don't feel obligated. If you are not able to get to the school on a specific day, they will be happy to accommodate you at any time. Many students go to schools sight unseen! If it is cost prohibitive to travel at this point, trust your gut, look online, reach out and talk to as many people as is possible.
5. How do I now decide on the right school?
Put away the books, statistics, and Naviance (a data program used by High Schools) page print-outs. What does your heart and mind tell you. You need to be happy and LIVE at this school. The best place for you is where you can see yourself.
For more great advice, give Keri a shout at KSB College Consulting at 952-938-0997.