How Long Does It Take To Get An Admissions Decision?
Waiting for colleges to send acceptance letters can be daunting, but there are lots of ways that you can not only speed up the admissions decision process, but also make the most of the time between application and acceptance.
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You’ve been checking the mailbox multiple times a day, furiously scrolling through message boards and refreshing your email more times than you can count.
All in anticipation of your college admissions decision.
Waiting for an acceptance letter from colleges you’ve applied to is hard enough already, but with school, work or other responsibilities alongside it can feel downright tortuous.
Believe it or not, there are things you can do after you’ve submitted your application that can have an impact on where you choose to attend university and take your mind off the lengthy admissions process.
Whether you’re waiting for an early action decision, a response from your Common App, or updates about a specific scholarship or academic program, you can make the most of your time before your college sends acceptance letters.
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How Long Does it Take to Receive an Admissions Decision?
The time it takes to receive an acceptance letter varies from college to college and depends greatly on the type of application deadline they use.
Pacific’s rolling admissions deadline means that, instead of decisions being made in large batches, students are notified roughly two weeks to one month after their application is received.
The variation in response time can have a lot to do with when you submit your application.
Submitting your application in early fall, when admissions counselors and staff are frequently traveling, can sometimes result in a longer wait for applicants.
For this reason, many counselors recommend having all of your application materials prepared before Thanksgiving. Not only does this allow you to enjoy the break from school, but enables you to submit when counselors are more frequently in the office.
When those counselors are in the office, connecting with them and expressing your continued interest in the college can get your application seen sooner, perhaps even resulting in an instantaneous admissions decision!
Can You Make Changes to Your Application After You Submit?
You can!
Smaller, private liberal arts colleges — like Pacific — tend to get fewer overall undergraduate applications than their large public counterparts.
As a result, their team of expert admissions counselors can respond to prospective students more quickly and personally.
These admissions professionals understand that sometimes amazing things happen after you’ve already submitted your college application, things that you may have wanted to include.
Land a job at a local animal shelter? Let an admissions counselor know! Raised your GPA? We’d love to hear about it! Take first-place in a debate tournament? Congratulations, we’ll add it to your application!
Because of Pacific’s small class sizes and dedicated staff, even prospective students get close attention from counselors, who want to help your application be the best it possibly can.
What Can You Do to Ensure the Fastest Admissions Response?
The easiest way to get an admissions decision as fast as possible is to make sure you plan to have your application materials ready by the time you apply.
The primary reason applications get held up is due to one or more of the required admissions materials not being submitted along with the overall application.
To avoid this delay, make sure that you have everything you need ready before you begin your Common App. Speaking with your guidance or career counselor can help you understand how to get what you need, when you need it.
This means planning ahead for things like official academic transcripts, letters of recommendation (where appropriate) and standardized test scores, which you may or may not have time to retake before your application window closes.
Similarly, looking at any supplemental essay questions beforehand can help you draft answers that highlight your unique abilities and interests, resulting in a more successful application.
A fast college decision is a combination of both when students decide to apply and whether or not the schools have everything they need to evaluate a candidate.
What Can You Do While You Wait for an Admissions Response?
While it may seem like submitting your college application is the last step in the admissions checklist, there are actually several things you can do afterwards that can influence your college decision process.
Not only can these opportunities help pass the time between submission and decision, but can help refine potential school options, aid in choosing a major, and ensure you get financial aid.
While waiting for colleges to send acceptance letters, you can:
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Fill out your FAFSA. Submitted separately, a completed FAFSA is not required to receive an admissions decision, and can be completed after you have finished your Common App.
However, you should submit your FAFSA before making a college decision to best preserve your eligibility for scholarships.
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Research and apply for scholarships. The cost of attending a private university is not as high as you might think, but searching out regional and national scholarships can also help reduce the cost of your education.
Scholarships at your prospective schools, as well as those available nationwide, frequently don’t require an admissions application, and can be filled out by students after submitting their Common App.
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Volunteer in your passion. Many students research colleges without a major in mind, so taking the time between submitting your application and receiving an admissions decision can give you a chance to discover what interests you.
Whether through volunteer work, job shadowing, or talking to professionals in fields in which you are interested, knowing what fuels your purpose can help make decision-time easier when acceptance letters arrive.
Perhaps most importantly, though, is not to neglect schoolwork while waiting for a response.
Some schools require updated transcripts after admissions, and letting grades or extracurriculars slip during this time can adversely impact your ability to attend the schools you want.
Pacific’s team of admissions counselors are available online and in-person to answer your application questions! Find your personalized counselor and see how you can create the perfect admissions packet.