How do colleges inform applicants of their application status?

I'm in the middle of applying to colleges, and I'm curious about how they typically let you know if you've been accepted or not. Do they email, send mail, or use some kind of portal notification? Any insights would be appreciated!

The method of notification can vary somewhat by school, but most colleges typically utilize both an online portal and email notifications to inform applicants of their application status.

Once you apply, the college will typically send you a confirmation email which includes information on how to set up your personal online application portal. This portal is where you can find the most updated status of your application, including whether it's complete, under review, or if a decision has been made. Most colleges also post admissions decisions (acceptance, waitlist, or rejection) on this portal.

To alert applicants that a decision has been posted, most colleges will send out an email notification prompting you to check your portal. Please note that these decision notification emails usually don't reveal the decision itself, but rather inform you that a decision has been made and you can view it on the portal.

Yet, some colleges may also mail out physical acceptance letters, often in addition to releasing decisions online. This practice, however, is less common than it once was and is usually confined to acceptance notifications (rejection and waitlist notifications are almost always online only).

Keep in mind that the exact timing and procedures can vary slightly depending on the institution, so it's always a good idea to check each school's admissions website for the most accurate information.