College Admissions Counseling Blog

It used to be simple when colleges sent out their admission letters. Either you were accepted or you weren't. But more colleges are now offering delayed admission where you are admitted but not until the second term. This is often confusing for students who aren't sure what the college is telling them. Is the college saying you aren't really good enough but we will let you in anyway after everyone else? Is the college saying we want you as a student but just don't have enough room?

Don't worry about why you received a late admission letter. The bottom line is you have been admitted and you need to make your decision on what to do based on that fact. If you are considering a late admission option, however, there are several things to consider.

First, what are you going to do for the first term if not attend the college? Many colleges that admit students by late admissions have programs available that they offer to these students often overseas. You also have the option of attending another college, typically a community college, to gain extra credits before starting your desired college. Some students use this opportunity to volunteer their time somewhere they can be useful or travel to expand their horizons.

Second, if you are not joining your classmates until the second term, you will want to know how many other students are going to be in the same position and what programs does the college offer to orient late admission students to the campus. One of the concerns of a late start is the lack of socialization that can occur with students that don't begin their college experience with all of the other freshman. Most colleges offering late admissions are aware of this concern and provide some orientation to late admission freshman but it is best to ask.

Third, you may wish to know whether you will be able to earn sufficient credits during your time at the college to graduate with the class that started in the fall or whether your graduation will be delayed. Most students who have a late admission still prefer to graduate with the students that began in the fall if possible.

If the college offering the late admission is your first choice college, don't let a different type of admission turn you off. Simply consider your options and the answers to these questions to make the best decision for you.