May 1st College Decision Day Is Fast Approaching

April 1st has passed. That’s the deadline day for most colleges to let students know whether or not they’ve been accepted.  Now the ball is in the student’s court!  Many students find themselves with a pile of acceptance letters (or emails).  How should students make this pivotal decision?

First of all, remember the purpose of college.  It’s certainly intended to make students more educated, in general, and more aware of the world and the issues surrounding them.  But, more pragmatically, most students attend college with the goal of preparing for a career that will support them for the rest of their lives.  So the best choice college is often the one with the strongest program in a student’s intended field of study.  A little research will reveal the mid-career salary of alumni from all of the colleges under consideration, as well as the acceptance rate at medical and dental schools, law schools and graduate programs.

Finances also come into play in the decision of most students. But students should realize that the financial aid “package” offered by any particular college can often be negotiated.  If a student’s dream college offers less money than another to which the student has been accepted, there’s no harm in contacting the admissions office at the preferred college and requesting that the grant money (the “scholarship” portion that does not get paid back) be reconsidered.  Let the #1 college know of the other, better offers. 

In the past, many colleges offered accepted students the opportunity to attend “Accepted Students Day.” It was the perfect time for students to get another feel for each college, ask any questions that are still on their minds, and consider all aspects of each school, including the food, dorms, activities, campus, and surrounding community. Unfortunately, the majority of schools did not have the opportunity to host the event this year due to early closings prompted by the coronavirus.

May 1st – College Decision Day – is fast approaching. So students need to make their final decision in the next three weeks, and then be sure to let the college of their choice know that they will be coming by getting their deposit money in by the deadline date. 

Susan Alaimo is the founder of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated tutors have prepared students for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.