Regular admission deadlines for the fall 2019 entering freshman class are near. Some are in December while others are in early January. Students should not put off getting their applications and essays completed. It is critical to avoid turning in applications that fail to show a student off to his best advantage. Even the best high school senior writers fail to deliver their best essays when they write in haste with little time to edit. Parents can help by being sympathetic and patient encouragers as well as essay readers who give constructive critiques. Like many things that are unfamiliar, starting college applications is the hardest part of the process. Once students get past that point, they usually do very well.

This is the week by which students are supposed to make a decision. May 1 is the accept or reject an offer deadline nationally. The exception will be for students on a wait list for a college. Their decisions could come as late as July.

Students who do not officially accept an admission offer by May 1 at most colleges, will lose the admission offer and any scholarship money that was attached to it.

There is more work for students to accomplish during the same time period.

I finished my applications...I'm done right? Not by a long shot. 

Completing college admission applications is just the beginning.

If you've done them right, you've got lots of follow up mail to answer.

Follow up mail includes scholarship offers that may require an application

and opportunities to join an honors program.

It is a common misconception among students and families that getting

applications completed is the end of the road for things to do to get in to college.

The students who experience the most success are those who watch their