18 Apr Road Map for April: Seniors

Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Whether you’ve finalized your choice or are still weighing your options before the May 1 deposit deadline, take a moment to recognize everything you’ve accomplished. This is a major milestone—and one worth pausing for.

If you’re still deciding where to enroll, now’s the time to dive into the details. Accepted student events can give you an invaluable look at campus life. Take advantage of them! Talk to current students, especially those involved in the aspects of campus life that you care about the most, such as majors, clubs, or Greek life. Admissions offices can often connect you with students who can give firsthand insight.

Finances are a big part of the decision for most families. If your aid offer doesn’t meet your needs, consider submitting an appeal, especially if your family has experienced a change in financial circumstances since you submitted your FAFSA. For additional guidance on such situations, check out this blog post or contact me for individual assistance. And remember that although admissions staff generally want to hear directly from students, it’s appropriate for parents to step in here and handle the back-and-forth with financial aid officials.

Not every outcome is easy. If you were waitlisted at a top choice, send a brief update with any new information and reaffirm your interest—but focus your energy on the schools that have admitted you. Many students thrive at places that weren’t originally their first choice. But if you don’t have options you feel you can get excited about, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling has put out its annual College Openings Update, which lists schools that are still taking applications for the fall term.  If you’re interested in submitting new applications, check out the list and keep an eye on it for updates. There are currently more than 250 institutions listed, and I expect more to be added in the coming weeks as admitted students make their decisions and colleges get a clearer picture of their fall enrollment.  A gap year could also be a great option for many students who would like more time to submit another round of applications; contact me if you would benefit from support with new applications or planning a gap year.

And a few final tips: check your email frequently (including spam folders!) for next steps from your future college. And be sure to thank your teachers and counselors for all their support and let them know your final decision so they can celebrate with you!