College Smart Start Jodi Furman

Allowed to wallow, but just for a moment, please do not say “it’ll be okay”-- because in the moment it does NOT feel like that.
 
While I genuinely believe that it’s not a rejection, but a redirection– and that students genuinely do end up where they belong, that’s about the last thing that a disappointed student or parent wants to hear, understandably so. 
 
Can you reapply? NO
Can you petition for reconsideration? MAYBE, but only with reason– schools RARELY overturn decisions without new info (medical, learning challenges, extenuating circumstances)-- oftentime, even new grades won’t be considered– but it’s worth a call, but don’t count on it. 
 
Wallow– and then dust yourself off. This is why dream schools can be nightmare-ish.
 
Where you go isn’t who you are– and there’s always the opportunity to transfer, apply for grad school, etc if you’re still hoping for that ONE schools
 

A deferral isn’t a no– it can be a NOT YET. It can also be a way for schools to ‘kick the can’ down the road or a “soft no”. 
 
Look at their stats– did they defer 10% or 100% of the non-accepted students? 
 
How is a deferral different from a waitlist? 
 
First, see what the school wants from you– typically:

Update on grades
Possibly an update on scores, if you have new ones to share
And if schools allow you to update them on your activities, DO SO. 
 
Headspace MATTERS. Can’t be angry/disappointed. Think of this as another shot at it– and if you haven’t ‘improved yourself’, DO SO NOW– take a course, volunteer more.
 
But you ABSOLUTELY want to ensure that you have some backup plans ready to go in case that this doesn’t happen.
 

Senior grades might barely matter or they might be a very important part of your application– like most things in admissions, it’s very much an “it depends”. Students should be aware that all acceptances are conditional– and having a change to one’s grades might have an impact on admissions, merit awards, and more. 
 
It’s a Maybe.
 
If applying EA/ED/rolling and accepted before January, it’s possible that just remaining academically eligible is enough/not falling off of a cliff
 
If applying RD or after January or are DEFERRED, then first trimester or semester grades likely will matter- A LOT. 
 
You CAN lose your admission AND your scholarships. You’re not done until you’re done– all acceptances are conditional. 
 
Changes in schedule might also impact acceptance and/or merit.
 

Early Decision can provide a boost– sometimes a VERY significant one– to student’s chances of admissions. In today’s episode we detail how to determine whether Early Decision provides an advantage— and if so, how much of one– as well as what are the conditions and considerations of an Early Decision application.

 There are a number of schools that will GUARANTEE admission with a certain GPA and/or SAT/ACT score– and many of those schools also guarantee merit scholarships. Even without a stellar resume and essay, you can have great options at a reasonable cost.
 
Guaranteed admission
 
Kansas
Arizona
Arizona State
SD School of Mines
Nebraska
Iowa
Iowa State

GUARANTEED MERIT
WVU
Alabama
Troy University
Arizona
FAU
USF
Guaranteed admission
 
FRIDAY:
ED ROCKETSHIP vs NUDGE
https://www.collegeconfidential.com/lists/best-colleges-to-apply-early-decision-2023/?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=102023

There are SO many options, beyond just community college (though that can be a great option, too!) for students that are (sometimes far) less than perfect.

 GED to AA to top school