Now that you’re in and have accepted your best school, there’s just a little more to do. Besides finishing the year with good grades, follow these guidelines and you’ll be in the best shape for your new school:
1. Contact the schools that you’ve declined and let them know that you won’t be coming. This will open up a space for a student on the Wait List.
If you’ve been wait listed anywhere, you’ll hope that other people are following this same courtesy so that your name can float to the top of the list!
2. Sign up for housing, a meal plan, and financial aid. Wait too long, and you might be homeless or off-campus. Most students are not left homeless, but by signing up early, you will have more to choose from. Read up on your choices before making your choice.
3. Let your school counselor know where you’re attending. He or she will send your transcripts and update school records. School counselors are more than statistics mongers. They love to celebrate their students’ successes. Go on in and make his/her day!
4. Send Your Transcripts: If you took any college level courses at a junior college or online through a college, be sure that those transcripts are sent to your college. You will likely need to visit the registrar of that school and pay to have your transcripts sent. Make sure to get a receipt!
5. After you take AP tests and receive your scores, make sure they are sent to your new school for credit. AP classes might save you money in college by allowing you to graduate early or skip classes that you’ve effectively already taken!
6. Send thank you notes to those who wrote your letters of recommendation or helped you in any way with your admission. Not only is it the polite thing to do, but those contacts may serve you again someday. Keep them strong. (Also, remember to send thank you notes for any graduation gifts you receive. Good manners may get you a good job in just a few years!)
7. Update your FAFSA application. Make this a habit. Do your FAFSA every year before you file your taxes and update it after you do your taxes.
8. Accept your financial aid package. This is multi-step process. Call the school and accept over the phone, then go to your school portal or account and take the Entry Counseling tutorial on financial aid. You’ll be an expert in all things related to borrowed money by the time you’re done and ready for a great four years.
9. Apply for outside scholarships. Any money you earn through outside scholarships will help offset the cost of college for you. Fastweb.com is a good resource for outside scholarships.