EP11: Accepted, Denied, Deferred: What to Do Next

The college decisions are starting to arrive. Accepted. Denied. Deferred. Waitlisted. Four words that can completely change the mood in your house.In Episode 11 of Drop In, Lisa and Josh break down what each college admissions decision actually means, what students should do next, and what parents need to remember when the answer is not the one everyone was hoping for.They cover what to do after an acceptance, why you should not rush to commit before comparing financial aid offers, what a deferral really means, when to send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI), and how to approach a college waitlist without putting your life on hold.They also tackle the harder part of decision season: disappointment.Because a denial is not a verdict on your worth. A deferral is not a secret rejection. And a waitlist is a maybe you cannot build your life around.Plus, Lisa and Josh talk directly to parents about the first few minutes after a college decision arrives, why your reaction matters more than you may realize, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is skip the strategy and simply lead with love.In this episode:• What to do after a college acceptance• Why you should compare financial aid before committing• What a college deferral actually means• When and how to send a Letter of Continued Interest• How midyear grades can affect a deferred application• What to do after a college denial• How to handle a college waitlist• Why students should not put their lives on hold for a “maybe”• What parents should say — and NOT say — when decisions arrive• How to keep one college decision from defining the rest of your senior yearWhatever word shows up on that screen, remember: it is information, not a verdict. You can feel disappointed and still be okay. Both things can be true at the exact same time.Want to dig deeper? Read our blog post here for a closer look at how to make the most of the waiting period.Need help navigating the wait, understanding your decisions, and ultimately finding the right fit? Visit https://decisiondrop.com/contact to learn more about working with Lisa and Josh at Decision Drop.