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It's spring and college decisions are rolling in. You were just waitlisted by another school. You have worked hard for 4+ years spending countless hours on homework, extracurricular activities, volunteering and researching the perfect college list. So what went wrong? What could you have done differently? In most cases the answer is nothing. Colleges are big business and meeting enrollment numbers is vital to their success. It's a calculated risk that happens every year beginning in the fall when students begin submitting their applications. Colleges have to decide which students they think will accept their offer of admission. They review your transcript and application and anything else you may have sent in. They also look at data from previous years about graduating seniors which may determine how many spots they have in particular departments.  How does the waitlist work? Students are asked to "opt in' to stay on the waitlist. Some college allow for a letter of continued interest (LOCI) or a letter of recommendation. In the LOCI students should share any new activities, honors, awards, courses, and grades that weren't included in the initial application. They should do what the college allows and not try to circumvent the process by barraging admissions with phone calls and emails. They should also commit to another school that accepted them as waitlists are unpredictable and often it takes weeks or months for admissions to notify them. Waitlists are frustrating but a necessary part of college admissions given the growing number of applications for a limited number of spots at top universities.

The Common App has announced its prompts for 2024-2025. They will remain the same as last year. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you? Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. We will retain the optional community disruption question within the Writing section. Over the next year, we'll consult with our member, counselor, and student advisory committees to ensure we gather diverse perspectives and make informed decisions.

The competitive state of college admissions has made it more important than ever to build a balanced list of colleges. Start by knowing what you want to pay for college. This can be different than what you can afford. Do you want to stay in state or travel far from home? If you want to stay closer to home, look at state colleges as these will be most affordable. Be sure you can get the courses you need to graduate in four years as going a 5th year will add to your debt. Look at private colleges that will give local students merit aid. Consider colleges that you may not have heard of. Most students apply to same top schools because these are the names they hear. If you want to go out of state, look at the average merit aid awarded to out of state students. Collegedata.com is a good place to start. If you know what you want to major in, you can start by doing a simple Google search. Know that these searches often show only the most competitive colleges so refine your search criteria by adding "Affordable colleges for B students" or "Best in-state colleges for biology". CollegeXpress.com can help refine your search. Most importantly, take rigorous courses and work hard to keep your grades up as colleges know that these are two things that help determine how well you will do in college.

Due to the delayed release of the new simplified FAFSA this year, all University of California and California State University campuses have extended the deadline to commit to a college from the traditional May 1 deadline to May 15. This gives families two additional weeks to consider their financial aid offer. The transfer deadlines is still June 1.

Seniors, while you are waiting to hear from colleges, it's important to continue showing some interest in the college. You can do this by stating why you are a perfect fit for the major you chose or mentioning extracurricular activities that support your interests. Some colleges ask for a letter of continued interest if you have been deferred from the early action pool to the regular pool. Be sure to fill it out. If you have any new and compelling information like a significant community service engagement, a school or research project you completed, or a change in family circumstances, let the college know. Check to see what their policy is for reporting new information. Some want a form, others may want an email. Keeping your grades up is also important and most colleges look senior year grades.

Juniors and Seniors should begin looking for scholarships.

Fall means the start of college for many students. Choosing the right college takes research and hard work when applying, but some of it takes place as soon as you walk on campus. Here are tips to making the next four years the best they can be. Attend the information sessions for admitted students. These orientation programs have helpful information about how to navigate the next four years. You will learn what is available and where to find it. You will be with other students your age and may meet someone who will become a lifelong friend. Get involved by joining clubs and organizations. This is a good way to feel a part of something and to give back if it's a service organization. If there is a Greek system, consider attending some of the events to see if it's for you. Make an appointment with an academic advisor to help choose courses. Seek out the the writing and learning lab for free tools that will help you with papers and to get help with homework. Consider applying to the Honors College if not freshman year, during sophomore year. You may get early registration for classes and first pick of housing. Explore surrounding areas for restaurants, shops, and sporting events. Getting involved in a few things but not too many that you become stressed out can help make your college experience a happy one.

Many high schools offer Dual Enrollment courses from a local community college. They are usually taught at the high school and can appear on the student's high school transcript. I get asked often how the University of California calculates these courses into the weighted GPA since one semester of a college course meets one year of the high school requirement. The UC states this: Although many semester long college courses will satisfy a full year or more of an A-G requirement, the UC weights the college course as follows: Only UC transferable courses worth at least three semesters or four quarter units will earn an extra point in the GPA for grades of an A, B, or C; and one college course earns one grade which means only one additional point in the GPA calculation. I advise my students that it's still better to take the higher level course even if they don't get the bump in their GPA. It's always better to challenge themselves than as colleges look favorably on this.

May 1 was National College Decision Day for college-bound students across the country. These are just some of the colleges my students gained acceptance to this year: Some of the private colleges my students received a yes from are New York University, Columbia University, University of Southern California, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount, Pepperdine University, Fordham University, Hofstra University, Emerson College, The American University Paris, University of Washington Seattle, University of San Diego, Occidental College, and many more. All of the University of California schools including Berkeley, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Davis, San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Riverside. All of the California State Schools including San Diego State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, I am proud of their accomplishments and look forward to helping a class of rising seniors.