The most surprising part of the college admissions process isn’t the essays, the applications, or even the deadlines—it’s the waiting game!
Despite thinking that the hardest part of the process would be submitting applications, the months between January and March can feel uniquely unnerving. Decisions are out of your hands. Portals refresh slowly. Conversations with friends can suddenly feel charged. Time stretches.
The truth is: waiting is part of the process—and it doesn’t have to be passive.
While you can’t control when decisions are released or how admissions committees deliberate, there is a lot you can control during this season. And focusing your energy there not only helps practically—it also steadies anxiety and restores momentum.
Below are thoughtful, productive ways students (and families) can use this time well.
Get Excited About the Acceptances You Have
If you’ve already received college acceptances, take time to fully acknowledge them.
Each acceptance represents a college that reviewed your application and saw a place for you on their campus. That matters. Read the acceptance carefully. Explore the academic program. Learn about housing, student life, and opportunities tied to your interests.
Celebrating current options helps students stay grounded and confident as additional decisions arrive.
Check Your College Applicant Portals Consistently
One of the most important practical tasks during the college admissions waiting period is monitoring applicant portals.
Students should:
- Log into every college portal weekly
- Confirm all required materials are marked as received
- Review both admissions and financial aid tabs
Missing documents happen more often than families expect. Staying organized here prevents avoidable delays and ensures applications remain complete.
Check out our blog on 5 Things Parents Need to Know When a Student Is Accepted to College
Write Thank You Notes to Teachers and Counselors
Now is the right time to write thank-you notes to the teachers and school counselors who supported your applications.
A thoughtful email or handwritten note (not a text) is appropriate and meaningful. Mention something specific they did to support you and express genuine appreciation for their time and care.
This is a small step that reflects maturity and gratitude—and it strengthens relationships that extend beyond admissions.
Check out our blog on thank-you notes!
Write Letters of Continued Interest When Appropriate
If you’ve been deferred or waitlisted and remain genuinely interested in a college, a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) is an important step.
Best practices include:
- Keep the message brief and sincere
- Send one clear communication unless the college invites updates
- Reaffirm interest and share any meaningful academic or extracurricular updates
- If the school is your first choice, it is appropriate to say so
If a deferred school is no longer a good fit, withdrawing your application is also a thoughtful and responsible decision.
Check out our Blog on How to Write a Strong Letter of Continued Interest
Continue Learning About Your Colleges
This is an excellent time to deepen your understanding of the schools on your list.
Students can:
- Follow colleges and academic departments on social media
- Explore program websites beyond admissions pages
- Attend virtual events or information sessions
- Talk with alumni or current students they know
This exploration helps students make confident enrollment decisions once offers arrive.
Prepare for Interviews and Follow Up Thoughtfully
If interviews remain part of your admissions process, preparation matters.
Spend time reflecting on:
- Why the college appeals to you
- What you hope to explore academically and personally
- How you describe your interests, experiences, and goals
After each interview, send a thoughtful thank you note. This is standard practice and reinforces professionalism.
Keep Studying and Build Skills That Support College Success
Colleges require a final transcript before enrollment, and steady academic engagement continues to matter. While senior year often feels lighter, maintaining consistency helps ensure a smooth transition to college expectations.
This season is also an opportunity to focus on the skills that support long-term success.
If studying feels inefficient, deadlines are hard to manage, or motivation comes in waves, it may be time to strengthen structure and habits. Executive Function (EF) coaching can help students develop systems for time management, organization, planning, and follow-through—skills that directly impact the first year of college.
At Emerging, executive function coaching is designed to help students build sustainable foundations so they arrive on campus confident, prepared, and self-directed.
Executive Function 101 – The Hidden Superpower for Adulting
Students can also benefit from resources that address the social and practical realities of college life, including:
- The Naked Roommate by Harlan Cohen is a practical guide to shared living and communication
- Dorm to Doorstep – Tips, Tidbits, and Tales Every Young Woman Will Want to Know Books and resources by which focus on self-advocacy, adjustment, and thriving during transitions
Building these skills now supports not just admission, but college success.
Stay Ahead of Financial Aid Deadlines
Financial aid timelines often move faster than admissions decisions.
Families should:
- Confirm FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions
- Log in to each college’s financial aid portal
- Ensure all required documents are complete
Waiting until acceptances arrive can lead to missed important deadlines. Staying organized here protects future options.
Apply for Private and Local Scholarships
This is a strong window to apply for scholarships.
Start with:
- Your high school counseling office
- Local foundations and community organizations
Then expand to national scholarship databases. Smaller awards add up, and local scholarships often have fewer applicants.
Hold Space for Both Disappointment and Celebration
College admissions outcomes are not always predictable, even for strong students. Rejections and waitlists are part of the process and do not diminish the effort, growth, or commitment behind an application.
For many students, this may be the first time hearing “no” after years of achievement. Creating a plan for these moments is wise.
Parents play a powerful role here. Students learn how to face disappointment with grace and dignity by watching how adults respond. Modeling steadiness, perspective, and trust in what comes next helps students understand that one outcome does not determine their future.
Holding space for both disappointment and celebration creates room for confidence, adaptability, and growth.
Enjoy Being a Senior
Before you know it, senior year will be over.
Continue to show up academically, but also make room for friendships, milestones, and moments that won’t repeat. This season is a bridge between effort and opportunity, preparation and independence.
Handled intentionally, the waiting game becomes a powerful period of growth—one that supports not just college admission but long-term success.
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