I got in! What’s next?

Congratulations! You got in! So now what? 

Remember that you’re not done yet! You want to finish high school well (watch out for that senioritis!) by maintaining your grades, and also figure out the next steps for college life ahead! 

This includes thanking any teachers and counselors who wrote letters of recommendations for you too! 
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First, secure your spot. 

• Make sure you pay a deposit to hold and secure your spot before the national Commit Day May 1 deadline. 
• Confirm how to set up your new student email and portal for that college. 
• Keep checking your spam folder just in case emails from the college to your personal email are getting missed. 
• If you want, post your profile in the College IG account for this incoming class (it’s a great way to connect with fellow classmates too!) 
• Also, don’t forget to check the Immunization requirements for your college! You’ll most likely need to submit your health form / upload it to the portal by a certain date. Look at the details for any campus health insurance (for some colleges, the student needs to opt out, or else it’s an additional annual cost). 
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Confirm the financial package. 

• Most colleges will include the financial breakdown in their acceptance message (within the college portal). You should review it closely with your parents to break down what contributions you may be getting through merit, or scholarships or loans. 
• Carefully note the due dates for tuition, depending on semester or quarter systems. 
• The FAFSA form for any tuition aid that will apply towards this upcoming Fall 2026 Fall school year is already closed. If applicable for your family, make sure to check according to your state when the FAFSA form (Federal Aid) will open again (usually in the late Fall) and the due date next year will be June 30, 2027. 
• This is also a great time (if you haven’t already done so), to figure out how your personal finances will be set up that you can use as a student - checking account, credit card, etc. 
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Pay any housing deposit (if applicable). 

• Check those deadlines by when you need to pay the deposit. 
• Check out the housing options for freshmen. 
• You can start checking out the Instagram account for your incoming class admits and start messaging possible roommates (or find connections through mutuals and friends from other schools if they know people going to the same college). 
• If you will not be living on-campus and will be commuting (or living at home if it’s close enough, which certainly saves money), make sure to figure out what transportation options will be available for getting to campus. 
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Sign up for orientation dates (if applicable).  

• Many colleges will offer orientation dates throughout the summer; and during these in-person orientations on campus, students will meet with advisors or counselors who will help them select and register for their first term’s courses. 
• Make sure which AP credits will transfer to your college (if they accept them) before figuring out what general ed courses you might need to take in freshman year. 
• Some colleges have the freshmen come to campus during the Fall term Welcome Week (before classes start), and do the orientation then (instead of during the summer); so make sure to check what’s relevant for your college. 
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And finally . . . .    

• Confirm that your high school will be sending (taking care of) your final high school transcript (after graduation) to the college you committed to. 
• Plan some fun downtime during the summer! Relax with family and friends but remember to keep checking your emails! 
• Once you figure out your dorm / campus housing / roommate situation, enjoy figuring out the essentials for your new living space next year! Check out informative Instagram posts by other parents or look up YouTube videos for your campus of students who shared “move in day” tips, and how they decorated their campus dorm. Remember, everything you move in, will eventually have to be moved out too (or stored for the summer) so don’t overdo it!