How do you know if you've been accepted into college?

I'm super anxious waiting to hear back from colleges. What's the process like for finding out if I've been accepted? Do colleges send emails, or will I get a letter in the mail?

Colleges typically notify applicants of their admission decisions through a variety of ways, including through traditional mail, email, or directly through the college's online portal where you submitted your application. It varies from institution to institution. Some colleges may send a thick envelope (often a sign of acceptance) or a thin one (often a denial), while others may opt for sending decision letters virtually due to modern practices or environmental considerations.

An email might come your way, either notifying you directly of your admission decision or informing you to check the college's portal for updates. The admission decision might be right there in your account, awaiting your click to reveal acceptance, waitlist, or denial.

Most colleges offer a specific date by which all applicants will get to know their decision. It's referred to as decision day and it varies from one college to another. Early action and early decision applicants usually find out sometime in December, while regular decision applicants hear back around March or April. Dates may vary, so it's always a good idea to check each school's timeline to understand when you should expect to hear back.

To avoid missing a notification, continue to monitor your email and the application portal regularly. Lastly, be mindful that some colleges may also waitlist students which extends the waiting period of getting a final decision.

Good luck with your applications! It's perfectly normal to feel nervous during this time, but try to engage in other activities that you enjoy to pass the time productively.