What To Do After A Deferral?

From: North Shore College Consulting Blog When applying to a school during the Early Decision or Early Action period, there is always the chance that the admissions office may choose to defer an applicant. When this happens, students are often left with more questions than answers. What are the next steps? What can I do, as a student, to increase my chances during the Regular Decision period? To understand how you can improve your chances, it is vital that you first understand why colleges choose to defer some early applications. The Deferral  For many admissions officials, a deferral letter is not something sent out casually. If a college sends you a deferral letter, there are several different reason that may have driven their decision. For example, they might want to examine your application in the context of their Regular Decision applicants, or they might want to see how you take advantage of your senior year.    Therefore, if you received a deferral letter, it’s important to take a step back and remember: this is not the end of your story with this college, and you are not alone.  Due to the rise in early applications, even the most competitive students may not secure one of the limited spots available at highly selective or popular schools. Therefore, if you received a deferral letter, it’s important to take a step back and remember: this is not the end of your story with this college, and you are not alone.  A deferral letter is not a rejection letter, nor is it an indication of worth or whether you belong at this college. Essentially, a deferral letter is the way that admissions officials say, “we need a bit more time, but you’ve got potential.”  Remember that it is natural to feel that you are on an emotional roller coaster of confusion and grief. It is important to take care of and be kind to yourself. A deferral is not a reflection or indication of your character, accomplishments, or potential. Take a moment to breathe, take a step back, and consider your next steps before moving forward after receiving a deferral letter. The Pause After receiving a deferral letter, it is normal to feel a wide range of emotions and question your commitment to this college. Take time to reflect. Is this college still a top choice, or do you want to focus your efforts on other colleges on your list instead?  If you feel the need to step away to collect your thoughts, come back to your decision and application when you have had the chance to reflect both emotionally and logically on the deferral. The Next Step If you applied to the college from which you were deferred as an Early Decision applicant and were deferred, you are now released from your binding commitment to that college. That means that if you want, you can apply to another college in the Early Decision II round if another college on the top of your list offers it. However, keep in mind that Early Decision II is a binding commitment so if you happen to later get into your EDI school in the Regular Decision round (after initially being deferred) AND you are also admitted to the school you then apply to EDII, you are required to go to the EDII school. Therefore, the decision to apply to a second school EDII after being deferred from your first choice EDI should not be taken lightly.  Receiving a deferral letter does not mean that this is the last time you will be considered by a college. Once deferred, your application will be reviewed again but this time with the Regular Decision applicants. What this means is that all hope is not lost. There are still things you can do from here to increase your chances of ultimately being admitted.  The Application Update   Often, deferral letters include a brief overview of supplemental materials the college would like to see from you. Often, deferral letters include a brief overview of supplemental materials the college would like to see from you. Some colleges might request updated grades or test scores, additional recommendation letters or essays, as well as updates on extracurricular activities, awards, or honors.  This is why your senior year grades matter! It is important to maintain a strong performance in your current classes because you will most likely need to send your mid-year grades to any college from which you are deferred. First semester grades might actually be the most important update you send because if your transcript shows strong grades in a rigorous, college-prep curriculum, this update could very likely give your application a boost. Strong grades also show admissions counselors your potential to thrive on their campus. Remember to do your best and finish out this semester strong! However, while updates are great, it is essential that students completely follow the instructions given in the college’s letter. Not following a college’s directions can lower a student’s chances during the Regular Decision round. If a college asks students not to send additional materials, letters of continued interest, or other updates, listen! The Interest If the college does allow you to send additional materials, one of the greatest ways to reaffirm that you are still very interested in attending that college is by sending a letter of continued interest (LOCI). A LOCI notifies the college that you are definitely still interested in attending, even if you have to wait longer to receive a decision. Basically, the college wants to know two things about you before admitting you. Colleges obviously are looking to enroll a freshmen class filled with highly qualified, successful students. Additionally, because a college is a business, having a large percentage of admitted students decide to enroll (i.e., this is called yield) will improve the college’s business model and ultimately their bottom line. So, ultimately, before admitting you, the college will want to know if are you capable of succeeding if admitted, and second, whether you will attend if you are offered a spot? Your LOCI must therefore address these two points in an upbeat and genuine way and must avoid sounding like you are complaining or frustrated. Your letter should be short while hitting three main factors.  First, begin by thanking the admissions office for reviewing your application and expressing gratitude that your application is still being considered. Remaining positive and respectful is evidence of your strong character and personal qualities.    Next, give a brief overview of your accomplishments since you submitted your initial application. You must not waste the admissions officer’s time by repeating information that is already in your application. Rather, take the time to share any significant new accomplishments including first quarter or mid-term grades, an athletic or academic honor or award, a new community service project or goal, etc.  Last, you must reiterate your interest in attending the college should you ultimately be admitted. However, make sure to be honest. Do not tell the college that you will definitely attend if this is not true. You can still communicate a continued interest in the college without making promises you are not sure you can keep.  Overall, remember that your purpose in this letter is to restate your genuine desire to attend this college. If it is truly your number one choice and you would absolutely enroll if accepted, tell them that. Make sure to not over-contact them or write a lengthy statement, especially if the college also requires an additional essay for deferred applicants. You are going to want to make sure that your letter differs from any additional required essays. While you may be upset or confused by your deferral, this letter’s tone should be positive, upbeat, and thankful. You can also try to seek out additional recommendation letters. If there is a senior teacher, a coach or employer, or someone who can speak to something new and positive about you, then this could be a great addition to send to the college. You can also use this additional recommendation as another way to explain something that has changed in your life since you first submitted your application. Many college admissions offices consider or at least note, student interest in other ways. Visiting the college campus, participating in virtual events, and even sitting down for an alumni interview could be a great way to reaffirm interest in the school. If you do get to visit campus again, try to meet face-to-face with your admissions officer or sit in on a class. Maybe you can even meet a professor or have lunch with other students on campus! Overall, remember that there is only so much within your control in the college admissions process. Focus on improving the aspects of the process you can control, but don’t waste your time obsessing over things that you cannot. Your college admissions journey is far from over. The Next Steps Continued While the schools you applied to in the early round may still be among your top choices, you still need to focus on your Regular Decision list.   While the schools you applied to in the early round may still be among your top choices, you still need to focus on your Regular Decision list. Keep in mind that it is still very possible that in the spring you may not be admitted to the college from which you were deferred so you will want to make sure your Regular Decision schools are submitted by their deadlines in a timely and thoughtful manner.  The Regular Decision Schools While you may be tempted to throw all your efforts into improving your chances at your Early Decision or Early Action colleges, do not neglect your Regular Decision applications. Plan ahead to give each college application the time it deserves. As mentioned, when your deferred application is being considered with the Regular Decision pool, there is still a chance that you may not be admitted. This is not a time to let your guard down. Tend to your Regular Decision applications, using input from your initial deferral, your outside supporters, and your own experiences and observations so you can improve your applications. The Break After receiving a deferral, it’s normal to feel all sorts of emotions: rejection, confusion, sadness, and even frustration.   After receiving a deferral, it’s normal to feel all sorts of emotions: rejection, confusion, sadness, and even frustration. Taking a moment away from the entire college application process, even your entire holiday break, can remotivate you and bring your goals back into focus when you return to working on your applications. However, make sure you keep an eye on your deadlines and don’t neglect your prior college-related commitments during this break. If necessary, set aside a few hours once a week to handle college-related tasks during your break.  The Final Note Deferrals do NOT define you! While it may be upsetting or frustrating to be deferred, there is still the chance that you will be admitted during the Regular Decision period. Your deferral does not indicate anything “bad” or wrong about your application; in fact, a deferral says that your application shows potential. Remember that colleges only offer deferrals to candidates who they are interested in!     View original post

 

Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Scholarship

2023 GFA Scholarship Announcement

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Offers $70,000 in Agriculture-Related Scholarships

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture is committed to investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or a related field. For the 2023 year, GFA is offering $70,000 worth of scholarships. There are several scholarship opportunities available to students, each with varying criteria and eligibility requirements.

The four scholarship categories are:

• Scholarship for Agriculture—10 Scholarships of $3,000. Like last year, the top 3 ranking applicants will be eligible for an additional $1,000 bonus.

• Technical College Scholarship for Agriculture—4 Scholarships of $1,500. This year, the top 2 ranking applicants will be eligible for an additional $500 bonus.

• Rising College Junior/Senior Scholarship for Agriculture—10 Scholarships of $2,000

• UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship—2 Scholarships of $5,000

LEARN MOREScholarship for AgricultureTechnical College Scholarship for AgricultureRising College Junior/Senior Scholarship for AgricultureUGA College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship

APPLICATION & DEADLINES

Applications for the 2023 cycle are now available at https://www.gafoundationag.org/scholarships

Completed applications are due March 1, 2023. PLEASE NOTE: Applications and supporting materials are to be submitted ONLINE only. Hard-copy applications and supporting material will not be accepted.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY

B. Frank Strickland Scholarship for ABAC

In 2002, a scholarship was established by Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Commodity Commission for Tobacco at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Foundation in memory of the late B. Frank Strickland, Sr., a Lanier County farmer and a devoted advocate for tobacco farmers. The $1,000 B. Frank Strickland Scholarship is available for an entering freshman or rising sophomore from a tobacco-producing county who plans to attend ABAC fall semester. The scholarship will be paid at the beginning of the fall semester by the ABAC Foundation. The application deadline is rolling - may apply at any time. The application is linked here.

LEARN MORE

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship program, please contact us directly!

Georgia Foundation for Agriculture

1620 Bass Rd

Macon, GA 31210

info@gafoundationag.org

 

Rhode Island College of Design Pre-College Programs

Pre-College isn’t just an education—it’s an experience.

This summer, live like a RISD student and work alongside hundreds of other creative, highly motivated students who will inspire you to push your limits and produce your best work.

Complete and submit your Pre-College application by December 1, 2022, and attend the program, to receive $100 in RISD Bucks upon your arrival to campus.

Learn More Apply Now

June 24–July 29, 2023

 

Should My Student Apply Test Optional?

By Shane Cole, Collegiate Parent

Before the pandemic took hold in March 2020, many colleges and universities across the country were turning to test-optional admissions for incoming first-year students. When COVID-19 shutdowns made it impossible for students to sit for the SAT and ACT, many more schools jumped on the bandwagon.

The test-optional trend shows no signs of slowing. Some colleges have become permanently test-optional, while others will remain test optional, at least for 2022 and 2023.

I believe this is for two basic reasons. For one, grade point average (GPA) and the rigor of a student's high school coursework are better predictors of future college success than standardized test scores. And two, colleges and universities need to fill their classes. If a student's GPA is good enough, schools will admit them because they will be paying four (or more) years of tuition, housing, and fees.

So, over my last several years with My College Planning Team, I’ve heard this question more and more: Should I apply test-optional? I believe students AND parents should consider several factors before making their decisions.

1. Does your child’s ACT/SAT fall in the middle 50 percent or higher of students admitted the previous year?

Admitted student profiles from the previous year can be found on nearly every college and university website. Take the time and do the research. If your student falls in the middle 50 percent or higher, submit the test score.

2. Is your child a great student but a poor standardized test taker?

This is a no-brainer: apply test optional. Your student may have to write an additional essay, get an additional letter of recommendation, or sit for an interview, but they will have a much better chance of admission if they do not submit a test score below the middle 50 percent.

3. Are top-tier scholarships still available at the college without an ACT/SAT?

After doing some of my research, I have found no general rule to answer this question. Some colleges can and do, reward top scholarships to students who submit applications without ACT/SAT.

But some colleges cannot. The school might have policies that prohibit scholarships without ACT/SAT scores. Be sure to ask an admission representative from the college when making final college decisions to see how scholarships are awarded.

If your student needs to submit test scores, but those scores aren’t up to snuff, be practical and encourage them to apply to schools with test-optional policies. For current high school seniors, finding tutoring and test dates late in the admissions process may be difficult and not cost-effective.

If you are the parent of a junior, there is time to focus on good test preparation. Increased test scores can save you thousands in tuition over four years. Be wise about how much you spend on tutoring. Often, affordable tutoring can be found by asking a high school counselor or neighbors with older students who have been through the testing and application process before.

Test-optional college admission is here to stay, but it’s not for everyone.

Shane Cole is My College Planning Team's community development director and a public high school scholarship counselor. He has a bachelor’s degree in health education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a master’s in counseling from Lewis University. Please contact MCPT to get valuable information for your child’s college future.

 

UGA Honors College/CURO Honors Scholarship Applications Are Now Open

 

 

The Jere W. Morehead Honors College and CURO Honors Scholarship applications are officially open! Learn more below about the opportunities available through the Honors College, including the application process and major scholarship opportunities.

Morehead Honors College Participation in the Morehead Honors College provides students access to more than 250 Honors-specific courses, internship opportunities, travel and study abroad funding, dedicated advising, priority course registration, and many other benefits. Early Action applicants to UGA are automatically considered for admission into the Morehead Honors College. Early Action applicants who are auto-accepted into Honors will be notified by mid-December. All other students will need to fill out the Honors application to be considered for Honors Admission.

CURO Honors Scholarship The CURO Honors Scholarship supports students who are interested in undergraduate research in any field. The scholarship comes with a stipend of $3,000 per year and is renewable for up to four years. CURO Honors Scholars participate in special research-related seminars, workshops, and events. Students from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Prior research experience is not required. Finalists for the scholarship will be notified in late February and invited to interview at the CURO Symposium in Athens, GA, on April 03, 2023.

Application Process Deadlines These applications are open now and can be accessed through this form. Interested students must submit an application to UGA using either the Common App or UGA's institutional application and should wait until they receive their "Next Steps" email from UGA Undergraduate Admissions before beginning the Morehead Honors College and CURO applications. The deadline for both applications is February 1, 2023. Please click here to begin the Honors application.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the Morehead Honors College, please visit our website, or email us at honors@uga.edu. Students interested in the CURO Honors Scholarship may direct inquiries to curo@uga.edu.

Best,

Jason Payton

Jere W. Morehead Honors College

University of Georgia

 

What an Honor! A Look Inside Public University Honors Programs

What an Honor! A Look Inside Public University Honors Programs

Families are often unaware of a college option that can be academically rigorous, more financially feasible, and a better fit socially for many students: public university honors programs. Join us for an interactive discussion with representatives from Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, and Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky to learn about their benefits and discover what type of student is best served by these options. We'll learn about the application process, timelines, and what factors are considered in the applicant review. Students, parents, and college counseling professionals are encouraged to attend. There will be a Q & A at the end.

Click here to register for this webinar!