Options if you didn't get in somewhere
If you do not get into a college or university you had your heart set on you have a few choices of how to handle the decision. First, you can accept it, focus on schools that did accept you and move on. Second, you can call the university admissions office and request to speak with an admissions officer to learn why you were not admitted. Third, you can ask your guidance/college counselor to call on your behalf. Often this information is helpful in coming to terms with a rejection. It may also prove valuable if you choose to apply as a transfer student in the future.
Some schools may entertain the possibility of reconsidering an applicant after decisions are made if there is miscommunication or missing materials. For private colleges generally, requesting a review of your decision isn’t really an option, so don’t call them and ask for one more chance. This is tricky because it implies that they did not do an adequate job the first time around. Most private liberal arts schools take great care in reviewing your application during reading season, and all decisions, once mailed, are final.
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Posted on April 13, 2008 under Advice |
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Comments (1)
Not sure I agree with your assessment. Few institutions will really tell you why you weren't admitted in detail - creates too much grounds for litigation, although they likely will if it's very clear that you were well below the profile of the class from your high school records. Having worked for privates and publics, however, pretty much every institution has some kind of appeal process. On the other hand, not many of these appeals are granted - in fact very few.
Two better options this time of year. The National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) offers a list of colleges and universities still accepting applications. The other is to consider the advantages of starting off at a local community college. Remember that success rates for students with strong high school profiles starting at community colleges is often higher, and generally comparable, to the success rates for students starting at four-year institutions.
I also remind students...the decision you receive is only known by you and the college that sent it. If you DECIDE to attend community college, it's up to you how you talk about that. The idea that you have to feel bad about being denied, a decision to you that may seen very arbitrary, is something you should question. Don't let a bunch of people you don't know in some admissions office decide your success!
Andrew Flagel
Dean of Admissions
George Mason University
Posted on June 5, 2008 4:13 AM