How Long After Submitting A College Application Should I Hear Back?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“If an applicant completes their application after November 1 of their senior year, they will typically have an admission decision within

six to eight weeks

.” Wielgus says the average turnaround time for rolling decisions by colleges is about four to six weeks.

When should I hear back from colleges?

Most students apply to college under regular decision; these deadlines most commonly fall in January or February. Students often hear back from their prospective schools in

March or April

and are required to follow up with a response by May 1.

How long do you have to respond to a college acceptance?

The college acceptance deadline for almost every school is

May 1

st

.

(Some colleges may have different acceptance deadlines so check each one and make a note of it.)

Do college acceptance or rejection letters come first?


Often acceptance letters are sent out first

, with rejection letters coming later on. After all, universities have a number in mind for the size of an incoming class. Not all who are accepted will actually decide to attend, so they masy choose to wait to see if they wish to admit more.

How do you follow up on a college application?


Say Thank You

: If you had any college interviews, be sure to send a thank you note. It may be necessary to contact the college's admissions office directly, but keep in mind that this is a very busy time of year for them. Don't just call and ask if they received your application.

What happens if you get accepted to college but don't go?


After making your decision

, you should contact the colleges that you will not attend. … Most colleges will include a rejection form in the acceptance packet that you can mail back if you decide not to attend that school.

Can a college reject you after acceptance?

In most cases,

colleges will not revoke an admissions offer

without informing the student that their acceptance is in jeopardy and giving the individual a chance to explain themselves.

How do you tell if a college is going to accept you?

These days, most college acceptance letters will arrive as either an email or application status update on a college's own application portal. Afterward, you'll usually receive a hard copy of your acceptance letter

in the mail

and further updates via email or mail.

What month do most colleges start?

So when does college start? Most schools on the semester system

Do colleges still mail rejection letters?

This means that students may receive their college acceptance letters or rejection letters at any time of day, even potentially at school. … If a student receives a rejection email, they should have a plan for how they will handle it when surrounded by their peers.

Should you email colleges after you apply?

You'll want to make it personalized to your meeting with them while also expressing your further interest in the college. In cases where you can't handwrite a note,

an email should do fine

. Sending in your college applications is certainly a cause for celebration, but don't forget to follow up!

Should you follow up on university application?


It doesn't hurt to follow up

after sending an application — that is, if you do it tactfully — and it could help if you do it strategically. But remember, if you didn't do enough before applying, then the reason your phone doesn't ring: it's likely you.

Do I have to tell other colleges Im not going?

As soon as you have made up your mind, take a day to celebrate your decision and get down to informing the rejected colleges. … You do not need to give a detailed explanation and

you don't have to tell

them which college you have chosen to attend.

Can you accept 2 college offers?


Yes, the student will accept more than one offer to give them more time to decide

. … Some students are hoping that waitlist offers will still pull through, or financial aid offers are still being negotiated.

Can you commit to two colleges?

Since a student can't attend multiple colleges, it is considered unethical. … To buy time to decide on a college when the student has been accepted by more than one. The usual decision deadline is

May 1

; by double depositing, a student can delay deciding until fall.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.