Image taken from: http://bl-libg-weblab.ads.iu.edu/wordpress/libugls/2009/04/28/stressed-out-let-the-libraries-help-you-relax-a-little/

…not getting into the college of choice?

That’s merely MY own figure though. Of the young people I’ve worked with, met and talked to a small percentage of them have to consider their 2nd or 3rd choices because they didn’t get into their school of choice.

This is unfortunately the time of year that a lot of you might be receiving those ill-fated letters of discouragement or decline. Or some of you may not have received a letter at all. Was that your 1st choice? 2nd choice? Maybe 3rd? I hope not, but if so, what are your options now? It’s understandable to not have any more options.

I believe so much that your approach to choosing colleges should be centered on a choice of 2-3 (or 4) different schools. You can choose between Vocational, Community College/Junior College, Public, Private or For-Profit schools that provide an education. Check out more information from www.collegebound.com. The differences between the types of schools differ based on academics and degrees provided. Many of them vary on the process in which they teach you. If you are a hands-on person, there are certain schools for you. Do some investigating and find the school that fits you.

So what’s the catch?

These days schools of higher education are  offering so many different ways for you to attend a school to attain a degree, whether it be two years or four years.

Many of them range from monthly class schedules, 4-hour/3-day a week schedules, classes targeted toward your lifestyle and your need to manage multiple tasks throughout the day. I’ve seen and work with colleges now that offer 1 or 2 courses at a time. Or schools that provide schedules where you can attend school just 1 or 2 evenings a week and still be considered full-time. This is necessary when you apply for financial aid (FAFSA).

However, how about those of you all that did not get in and now are wondering where you are going to go?? Getting nervous? Don’t be. You are one of about thousands of other people your age wondering what’s next after the daunting news of not getting accepted. Or maybe you were just too late in getting your stuff in. Believe me, been there, done that. 🙂  Ask my parents. (If they can remember).

There is a light…a ray of hope

…the variety in scheduling has been growing, especially working straight from home, attaining an online degree. However, there are schools that have Rolling Admissions programs that allow you to enroll anytime throughout the year. It’s not your traditional start-in-the-fall/spring start dates any more. Petersons.com is a great resource for

Rolling admissions is when a college acts on admissions applications as they receive them. That way, you can find out much quicker whether you’ve been accepted. Many colleges will continue to accept college admissions applications until they have filled their undergraduate class.

While the majority of colleges also implement a deadline on rolling admissions, mostly due to scholarship cut-off dates, some don’t – which means that if you took too long to perfect that personal statement, you might still have a chance at getting in, provided that the undergraduate class doesn’t completely fill up before you even get around to mailing in your college application.

Have you seen the rolling admissions policy?

 …so, the college you’ve been considering has a rolling admissions policy?  Just because they have one isn’t a good reason to submit your college app late and should be avoided whenever possible!  Why?  Waiting until the last-minute and submitting your college application after the regular admissions deadline can affect your financial aid package: in this case, the early bird does get the worm.
If a school accepted a lot of early decision and regular admissions applicants, it is possible that there will be a significantly smaller amount of aid or even housing available for after the deadline applicants, which can make the whole college admissions process a little more complicated.

Bottom-line?  Every college has a different policy relating to rolling admission, if you don’t think you are going to make the regular deadline, you might want to contact your college of choice to see how their admissions process works – and find out how you can get in.

Every college is different.. Make sure you check with your admissions/financial aid advisor about specific questions you might have. But, please feel free to comment about this post, or send me any requests or questions you might have!

My Success is Your Success,

Keith Lipke

Keith Lipke is a careers and college recruiter, coach, mentor and blogger at     The Hope Chest. His passion is to educate, inspire, and give hope to young people who need it upon their search for the right career and college.