Hey Seniors: So you’ve worked so hard on your applications, sent them out, met your deadlines and you’re awaiting the response letters from the colleges. Are you in? Are you not? Are you on the WAIT LIST or are you DEFERRED!
Don’t Despair! This can happen when you meet the admission requirements, but the college has already accepted the number of applicants for which it has space. If a spot becomes available, they will contact you, often after May 1st.I contacted Alisa Fisher, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Notre Dame to seek her advice. Here are her tips!
· First and foremost, be the owner of this process. Make inquiries yourself rather than asking your parents to call or write.
· You want to make sure that you express your continued interest in a brief statement to the Director of Admissions. Your statement will be placed/scanned into your file so all admissions committee members will be aware that you remain interested in the college/university.
· Most likely, admissions committees are most concerned about senior year academic performance, so plan to send your first semester grades and any additional report cards issued while your file continues to be reviewed.
· Provide an update on your extracurricular activities and additional information on any more recent involvements, recognitions, awards and summer plans.
· Only add new information to your file.
· Testing: In certain cases, another ACT or SAT I may help if there is adequate time to register. Your regional admission counselor should be able to give you that input.
· Utilize emails and phone calls expressing interest with restraint/timeliness. Maintain formality with those individuals you contact.
· You need not send additional letters of support as your high school has already furnished the key evaluations from teachers and counselors,
· Unnecessary creativity – While often submitted, photos, drawings, cards, t-shirts, DVDs, and bakery items will not lead to admission without strong senior grades. Your focus is best placed on your semester coursework.
OK, so if you already baked some cupcakes to send to your colleges, bring them to the guidance office instead!
TTYL,
GW College Coach
Need some direction with your Midyear Reports??? If you used the Common App, you need to print out the Midyear Report (MR) form for each school that is still in the running. Fill out the top portion and bring to your counselor starting this week. Provide a stamped (1) small envelope (9x 4) addressed to each college. Please fill out a green Transcript Request form like you did for your applications and put it in each envelope. There is no fee to send out Midyears.
If your school isn't on the Common App and is requesting a 7th semester transcript, bring your counselor the addressed, stamped envelope. Please fill out a green Transcript Request form like you did for your applications and put it in each envelope. Thanks!
