College Decisions Are In: What to Do After Acceptance, Rejection, or Waitlists

Your kid has finally received their decision letters from colleges, but now what? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith unpack the steps that follow after your kid gets into college and the protocols that parents should take into consideration. They delve into the various outcomes of college admissions, including acceptance, denial, waitlisting, and alternative options like spring admission or a year abroad. They explore how trends in enrolment management impact admissions, the steps that follow after receiving admission offers, and what aspects to consider when comparing schools. Cathy and Meredith also break down what waitlists really mean, when an appeal is worth it, and how colleges shift into “courting mode” once a student is admitted. They discuss why students should prioritize finding a place that feels like home and aligns with their personal and academic goals, how parents can communicate their expectations effectively without imposing their opinions, and how to help your kid navigate rejection and celebrate wins. Tune in now! Key Points From This Episode: [0:00:00] Introduction and outline of today’s topic. [0:01:48] Learn about the various outcomes of a college application. [0:03:22] Hear why colleges offer spring admits and year-abroad programs. [0:05:05] Explore the concept of ‘summer melt’ and how college waitlists work. [0:08:50] Find out how likely it is to get your kid off the waitlist. [0:09:49] Whether to appeal a decision after a denial. [0:11:17] How to pick the right school and the actual deadline for making a decision. [0:15:28] What aspects to focus on when deciding between similar options. [0:20:19] Advice for parents on how to support your kids through wins and disappointments. [0:26:48] Understand why it is important to celebrate wins with discretion.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram