You’re in! Now what?

For months you’ve been filling out applications, meeting with your school counselor and driving long distances while your parents grill you about what you want to be, not when you grow up, but right now. You’ve learned about graduation rates and student body sizes. You know what FAFSA stands for and how to recalculate your GPA. You’re a pro-applier and it’s obvious in your well-deserved stack of acceptance letters.

Congrats!! You did it! Game over! Now you can sit back, relax, and let those colleges come to you!!

Sort of.

The bad news: The game really isn’t over once you’re admitted.

The good news: the ball is in your court and the steps you have to take post-acceptance are more fun and less anxiety-ridden.

More good news: we’re still here to help.

If you’re admitted and you know where you’re going:

Step 1: Send in your deposit. The sooner you send this in, the sooner you can apply for housing, fill out your health forms, and start getting mail and updates from a whole new population of college representatives like Res Life, Campus Programs, Faculty and more.

Step 2: Join any available online networks your college of choice may have in place. At Siena, for example, we have our own “Facebook-like” social network where admitted students can meet each other, join discussions, post pictures, etc. You can also find “Class of 2014” groups for almost every college on the real Facebook.

Step 3: Fill out your FAFSA and any other required Financial Aid forms. The sooner you do this, the better chance you have of receiving aid. Your parents will most likely have to help you with this, so set a date and don’t let them forget!

Step 4: Read your mail and e-mail! As much as we’d love to give you all the information you need in a 140-character tweet, there’s far too much that you just need to know. So read carefully and ask questions if you have them! We’re here to help.

If you’re admitted and you don’t know where to go:

Step 1: Don’t panic! You have until May 1^st to make your decision.

Step 2: Schedule a visit. Yes, again. Admissions Offices have programs designed for admitted students that are different from those for prospective students. Chances are, you can spend a day shadowing a current student or even stay overnight. Take advantage of these!

Step 3: Join any available online networks your schools may have in place. At Siena, for example, we have our own “Facebook-like” social network where admitted students can meet each other, join discussions, post pictures, etc. You can also find “Class of 2014” groups for almost every college on the real Facebook. You do not have to be committed to a college before joining these networks. They will help you learn about the school and its students. They'll also help you meet other undecided students just like yourself.

Step 4: Fill out your FAFSA and any other required Financial Aid forms. The sooner you do this, the better chance you have of receiving aid. Your parents will most likely have to help you with this, so set a date and don’t let them forget!

Step 5: Read your mail and e-mail! As much as we’d love to give you all the information you need in a 140-character tweet, there’s far too much that you just need to know. So read carefully and ask questions if you have them! We’re here to help.

The bottom line is that whether you’ve made your decision or not, being admitted doesn’t mean the process is complete. Follow the steps above and ask for help if needed. Before you know it, you’ll be right where you’re meant to be – probably reading a blog about surviving your first midterms!

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