What to Do After Choosing a College
Next Steps
Congratulations — you know where you're going to go to college! The next few months are going to be incredibly busy and exciting as you prepare for the transition. Here's a list of things to take care of before you arrive on campus.
Read All College Materials Carefully
In addition to the acceptance letter, the college sends you information on orientation, financial aid, housing, meal plans and more. You’ll need to make prompt decisions and responses, so look for — and pay attention to — any deadlines.
Send the Tuition Deposit
If your college follows the National Candidates Reply Date Agreement, you have until May 1 to make your final decision and send in your deposit. Not all colleges participate in the agreement, though, so look for the reply date in your materials. If the deposit deadline is not clear to you, contact the college and ask.
Your tuition deposit signals your acceptance of the college's offer of admission and reserves your place in the freshman class. Sending your deposit late (or not at all) can jeopardize your acceptance. Many colleges accept credit cards for tuition deposits.
Accept the Financial Aid Offer
If you’ve been offered financial aid, you have to accept that separately. You’re not required to accept the entire aid package as is; for example, you might want to take out a smaller loan. Once you have decided how much of the offer to accept, be sure to complete, sign and return the form by the deadline. Being late can cost you serious money.
Take Care of Loan Paperwork
If student loans are offered as part of your aid package, and you accept them, you probably need to fill out a loan application before the start of the semester. Learn more about how the borrowing process works.
Choose Housing
If you won’t be living at home, decide whether you’ll be living in a dorm or in off-campus housing, if that’s an option. If you’re going to live in a dorm, your college will send you a housing contract and details such as move-in dates, roommate info, and resident rules and services. If you need to find off-campus housing, contact the college housing office.
Select a Meal Plan
Enrolling in a meal plan may be mandatory if you’re living on campus. Off-campus students may also have the option of signing up for a campus meal plan.
Start Shopping and Packing
Use our college checklist to help you figure out what you need to bring with you to college. Our shopping and packing tips will also help you decide what to bring, where to get it and how to transport it.
Check the Computer Requirements
Some colleges require all incoming students to bring or buy a computer. Some even subsidize the purchase. If you have questions about the computer requirements, contact your college’s information services department.
Send Your Final Transcript
Confirm with your counselor that your final high school transcript will be mailed to your college's admission office.
Schedule a Physical
Most incoming college students are required to submit the results of a recent physical exam, along with a vaccination history. Take care of this paperwork before you arrive on campus. If you're late with it, you might not be able to register for classes.
Attend Pre-Orientation Programs
Some colleges offer programs that let first-year students get to know one another on trips or community service projects. These programs are a great way for you to get acclimated to your new environment and meet others with shared interests.
Prepare for Placement Exams
You might need to take one or more exams to determine your placement in science, math, writing or language classes. Use the summer to prepare; review class notes and practice your reading and writing. Your current standardized test scores could exempt you from certain placement exams, so find out the testing requirements and the exam schedule.
Thank Your Supporters
Don't forget to express your gratitude to everyone who has helped you during the college application process — counselors, teachers, coaches, scholarship sponsors and especially your family.
