This informal CPD article ‘Understanding US College Decisions’ was provided by UES Education, specialists in international university and school admissions, working with top schools across the UK and Europe to provide a bespoke service for those who want the best possible application support in the UK.
In the US university system, ‘yes’ and ‘no’ aren’t the only possible application outcomes: applications may also be deferred or waitlisted. It’s important for schools to understand these, so they can provide students who receive them with appropriate advice on next steps.
Accepted
If a student is accepted, this is a clear positive outcome! After students receive all their decisions, if they are accepted to more than one university, they should choose the one they wish to attend. Students should then formally accept that university’s offer, typically through the applicant portal for that specific university. When doing so, it’s very important for applicants to follow any instructions that the university sends via email or post. At American universities, students apply with predicted grades, and schools send final grades to the university when they come out in mid-August. After accepting an offer of admission, students need to provide the futures office at their school with the name of the college they’re going to attend, so the final grades can be sent over. Students should be sure to keep their mailing addresses up to date so schools can send on their official certificates in October/November.
Denied
If an applicant is denied admission, this is a clear decision from the university, but understandably one that can be upsetting to receive. If you’re advising students who are denied, help them work through their feelings without dwelling on negativity. Motivate them not to view the decision as something personal, and instead shift their focus to looking forward to the outcomes of their other applications. It’s important for students to apply to a list of colleges that has a good balance between reach, match, and safety options, to ensure that they do receive some acceptances.
Deferred
Students who apply to a US university through an Early Decision or Early Action programme (which has an application deadline in November and begins notifying students of decisions in mid-December) may be deferred. If a student’s application is deferred, this means that the application will be held and reconsidered in the Regular Decision pool. Deferred students still have a shot at admission, and there are a few things that they can do to potentially strengthen their case.
It can be helpful for deferred applicants to write a letter of continued interest that confirms with the college their desire to attend. A letter of continued interest should thank the college, state reasons for wanting to enrol, note any details that have changed since the application was made, and mention any new achievements or awards the applicant may have received since applying.
It also may be a good idea for students who are deferred to revisit their college list. If the list did not include a number of ‘match’ and ‘safety’ schools that are likely to accept them based on their academic credentials and overall fit, they may consider making applications to other colleges in this category. Some Regular Decision deadlines run until mid-January, and colleges with rolling admissions have even more flexible deadlines. If a student receives a deferral before then, looking at colleges in this category could help them expand their list if needed.
Waitlisted
If a student’s application is waitlisted, it has been reviewed by admissions officers and placed in a ‘waiting room’ of sorts whilst the college sees how many accepted students take up their offers. If there is still space in the incoming class after this, the college will then accept students from the waitlist. Just as with deferral, waitlisted students should write a letter of continued interest. In the meantime, they should also think ahead and accept another offer of admission (whilst keeping in mind that if they do so, the deposit paid at acceptance is non-refundable). Although being on a waitlist might keep students’ hopes up about the prospect of admission, it’s healthy not to place all hopes on being accepted at the college that waitlisted them. Instead, they should focus on colleges that accepted them and start getting excited about and planning a future there.
Final Thoughts
Receiving any application decision besides acceptance can be stressful for students and unclear for teachers and counsellors. But by being informed and keeping a focus on opportunities and the future, applicants can set themselves up for success, no matter what decisions they receive.
We hope this article was helpful. For more information from UES Education, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
