Updates for Regular Decision

As regular decision deadlines approach, how do applicants typically stay updated on their application's status? Are there any common strategies to get timely updates from the schools?

Once you submit your application, most colleges will usually send an email confirmation that they have received it. This email generally includes instructions on how to access the respective college's applicant portal, where you can regularly check for updates on your application status.

Many schools regularly update their applicant portals, so this will likely be your main source of information. The type of updates you may see can include the receipt of test scores, transcripts, recommendation letters, and finally, your admission decision.

A good strategy would be to regularly check these portals for each school you've applied to, perhaps once a week. Keep in mind that admissions offices handle a large volume of applications, so updates might not show up instantly. If you see a discrepancy or an issue with your application, like a missing transcript, you should immediately reach out to the college’s admissions office. However, avoid unnecessary communication with the admission office as they are likely to be highly busy.

Also, always make sure to check the folders for any new incoming emails, including your spam, social, or promotions folders, as sometimes admissions emails can get filtered into these folders. Regularly checking email is important, especially considering some schools do communicate updates this way.

Remember, admissions offices at different colleges have their own ways of doing things, so this process isn't uniform across all schools, but it is the general approach.