You Did It! What to Expect After Making Your College Decision

If you are reading this, it likely means you have made one of the biggest decisions of your life so far: choosing where you will go to college.

Take a moment to recognize everything you did to get here. You spent months researching schools, completing applications, writing essays, visiting campuses, and weighing your options. You met the May 1 College Decision Day deadline - and that is something to be proud of.

Now that you have officially committed to your college, you might be wondering: what happens next? Here is what you can expect and how you can set yourself up for success in the coming months.

1. Stay on Top of Your College's Next Steps

After submitting your deposit, your college will begin sending you important information about:

• Orientation programs

• Housing selection

• Course registration

• Health forms and required immunizations

• Final transcript submissions

Check your personal email and your student portal often. Colleges will expect you to meet additional deadlines over the summer, and missing them could delay your ability to register for classes or move into housing.

If you are unsure about anything, reach out to your admissions counselor - they are there to help.

2. Finish Your Senior Year Strong

Even though you have been accepted and have committed to a college, your final high school grades still matter.
Colleges typically require a final official transcript, and they expect you to maintain the academic performance you demonstrated when you applied.

Senior year can feel long after committing, but staying focused will help you start college on solid footing.

3. Celebrate Your Accomplishment

Choosing a college is no small task. Take time to recognize all you have achieved.

• Attend your school's senior events with pride.

• Thank your teachers, counselors, and family members who supported you.

• Reflect on everything you have learned about yourself throughout the college search process.

You worked hard to reach this point, and you deserve to enjoy it.

4. Start Preparing for the Transition

College is an exciting new chapter, but it can also bring a lot of change. Over the next few months, consider:

• Connecting with future classmates through social media groups or admitted student events

• Thinking about what you want to get involved in once you arrive on campus, such as clubs, athletics, or leadership opportunities

The more prepared you are, the smoother your transition to college will be.

5. Give Yourself Space to Feel Everything

It is normal to experience a mix of emotions after making your college decision.
You might feel excited, relieved, nervous, or even a little uncertain - sometimes all in the same day.

Starting college is a major life transition. Trust that it is okay to feel whatever you are feeling. As you move through the summer and closer to your first day on campus, you will continue to grow into this next stage of your life.

Meeting the May 1 deadline is an important milestone, but it is just the beginning of your college journey. Stay organized, stay curious, and stay open to all the opportunities ahead. Congratulations, your next chapter is about to begin.