DestinationCollege2023

The next step in the college application process is to receive an answer from the admissions department. There are a number of responses you can receive...Accepted, Deferred, Wait-listed, or Declined. See the article below to answer the question..."What's Next?"

The Global Pandemic has modified the College Admissions Process. Many colleges were frantic to make sure they kept their application numbers up. For some schools numbers were down, but for many others, they received a record number of applications during the Early Action process. There is no way to know exactly but test-optional applications, an increased number of students applying early, and students applying to a higher number of schools than they would in prior years be some of the factors that have driven the numbers up.

Students and Counselors alike are surprised that they have not heard or have been deferred in record numbers. Admissions offices with the same or less staff are having to review a higher number of applications early and they are not sure what they are going to get during the regular decision timeframe. College Kickstart has published acceptance rates that you might find interesting. When the number of applications is up the % of acceptance goes down. All of this impacts our students.

How you respond to the communication you receive from the college or university you are applying to will determine your ultimate success in acceptance.

No matter what the answer you need to do the following:

1. Read the letter/email carefully and completely
2. Follow all directions provided – Most colleges/universities will be very clear in their communication about next steps in the process. You don’t want to change your status by not following directions.
3. Keep lines of communication open – Be sure to monitor the email address that you have provided and respond to requests timely.
4. Be thoughtful about decisions – an admissions letter is not an award letter. Make sure you have all the information you need prior to making any final decisions. This includes getting information from the financial aid office. The financial picture must be considered before making your final decision.

If deferred:

Follow steps 1 – 4 above. If you have decided that you no longer wish to attend that college/university, then you can communicate your decision to the school. A deferral decision in the Early Action/Early Decision process removes any obligation to attend and frees you to accept admission in another college or university. Most students continue with the deferral process and wait on final decisions in the spring. If you are still interested in this college/university then consider these next steps.

1. Call about your deferral – call the admissions office and ask to speak to your representative. If you decide to call, be sure to do the following:
**Be POLITE, POSITIVE and COURTEOUS
**Communicate your desire to attend the school
**Ask for ways to strengthen your application

2. AGAIN - FOLLOW Directions and requests – be sure to send in any new or missing information that the school has requested.

3. Plan for rejection – While some students that are deferred are eventually accepted, just as many are not accepted. Develop a backup plan to make sure you have other options. This might include applying to another safe school. Be aware of regular decision deadlines.

Deferred (Not a denial) possible response to an Early Action or Early Decision application. If you were deferred most colleges and universities feel that you are a strong candidate, but not as strong as others that applied early. They want to review your application with other applications in the regular decision process. Chances of acceptance after deferral depend on the university. Explore the school’s website for additional information.

Parents, take a moment to read this Forbes article. If you don't want to read it, you can click the play button and it will be read to you. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

Handling College Admission Decisions: A Sidecar Parent’s Guide (forbes.com)

Don't forget: Your community service requirement is due no later than January 31, 2023. As of December 30th, 50 seniors still needed to submit their forms. Service form to receive credit. No signatures required.

This is the third month I am looking for key data from our class of 2023. We currently have 267 seniors active and 109 only have completed this form. The data in this survey is key to managing programs. If you have not completed the Crosby senior college application survey, please follow this link and complete it TODAY!

The key to the college admission process is to stay organized, and our monthly timeline helps you do just that. (Click here for a printable PDF version.)

Need practice for college or scholarship interviews. Crosby Scholars is offering practice for a panel interview. Email jjamison@crosbyscholarsiredell.org if you would like to set up a Mock Interview.

Also check out the Interview Academy on January 28th. Details in Portal!

I have extended a few of the deadlines. Log In to your STUDENT Portal and click on the Scholarships tab. Only Crosby Scholars who have completed their requirements are eligible for these Scholarships. Do not miss this opportunity to help fund your education.

IN-PERSON Celebration this year! Save the date - April 25, 2023, for the Class of 2023 Senior Gala. We will present graduation cords and certificates, announce scholarship winners and celebrate your accomplishments as a Crosby Scholar.

Please remember that offers of admission are conditional upon a review of your final transcript. Keep performing at the same competitive level throughout the school year so your grades don't drop. Many colleges will review both your mid-year grades and final transcript and may revoke your offer of admission if you have performed below the college’s acceptable standards. So, keep working hard all the way through your final exams!

Don't be afraid to ask for help!

Every senior is required to attend two academies, by January 31st. You must complete all the requirements in order to be eligible for scholarships and last-dollar grants. I have already emailed every senior with their requirement status. I am offering several options to complete the requirement. Go check your email.

If you choose to attend one of the final academies, please go to the Crosby Scholars Portal and register today. If you still need to meet this requirement, please register now for the academies that best match your needs and schedule.

IN Person Academy - Mitchell Community College Mooresville Campus - January 28th. Ability to attend 2 academies in one day and complete service hours as well.

College Freshman Year Essentials - ZOOM - 1/10/23

Ten Tips for Choosing College Classes - Zoom - 1/11/23

Self-Paced Academy

If you would prefer a self-paced online option you can go to bit.ly/speakcollege and print out the fill in the blank document. Review the information, fill in the blanks, and return to Noah Baldwin at nbaldwin@crosbyscholarsiredell.org and you will receive credit.

FAFSA Completion Credit

If you prove that you have completed the FAFSA we will give you 1 academy credit. Simply contact nbaldwin@crosbyscholarsiredell.org and provide proof of completion.

Financial Literacy - CFNC.org - COMPLETE 10 Modules with 80% pass rate using the Crosby Code. Link to Literacy Academy --- CODE 46A8A3-2223

YouScience - Career Exploration - Email for a link

Are you planning to earn a four-year degree, but want to save money? ...have no idea what to study? ...didn't get good enough ACT/SAT scores or grades for the college you want? A Mitchell transfer degree might be the right option for you! Learn about the 2-year transfer experience, how it works, what resources are available to you, and what your options are for transferring to a four-year college once you've earned your associates degree.

Are you not sure you want a four-year degree, but know you need some sort of training or credential to be able to support yourself? ...aren't sure what your options are? ...have limited resources to invest in your education? Mitchell offers a long list of programs with secure career paths that range in cost from a few thousand dollars to $0.

Come and learn what community college has for you! Date TBD - Mitchell Community College Statesville Campus.

Clicking the "Submit" button on your FAFSA is not the last step in getting financial aid; it's the first. Don't forget that you'll need to check your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy, and you may need to add additional schools if you're applying to more than 10 schools or you changed your college list after your initial FAFSA submission.

Also, you may have been selected for verification. This is either noted on your SAR, or your college may tell you. Typically, about 1/3 of students are selected for verification, but this year aid administrators are reporting an uptick in this number (Washington Post).

Watch this video to find out what verification means and what you'll need to do. You can also sign up for our senior academy, "Evaluating Your Financial Aid Award," if you'd like some help on the next steps.

Please check in with your Crosby Senior Advisor at least once between January 1 - March 30. You can find your senior advisor's contact information in your portal. Feel free to contact them with questions or to ask for a meeting--they want to help!

All Crosby Scholars Senior Requirements are due by the end of this month with the exception of meeting with your senior advisor for the Spring Check-In. Please make sure all other requirements are complete.

Email: jjamison@crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Website: crosbyscholarsiredell.org
Location: 124 4th Crescent Place, Statesville, NC, United States
Phone: (704) 873-5005
Facebook: facebook.com/crosbyscholarsiredell
Twitter: @iredellcrosby