Students may have an extension on their May 1st deadline to choose their colleges
The May 1st deadline for all high school seniors to choose the colleges they plan to attend in the fall may not be the end of the admissions cycle this year. Normally, students apply to colleges as early as October of their senior year (for Early Decision and Early Action), by November/December for large public universities, and by January for Regular Decision for most private colleges and universities. Most students receive admissions decisions between December and March – giving them the month of April to compare financial aid offers and to visit campuses.
Amidst the pandemic, many colleges are struggling to get admissions decisions and financial aid offers to students and some have announced that students may not hear from them until the end of March or the beginning of April. With most colleges conducting remote learning, students are having to do virtual tours and participate in online activities that would typically take place on campus. This is all unsettling for students and their parents.
But now that the Biden Administration has announced that there will be enough vaccines for all Americans by May 1st, everyone is hopeful that students can start visiting college campuses and make decisions about where to go to college the good old fashioned way.
Many colleges have extended the May 1st deadline to June 1st or 15th. While this may sound altruistic, colleges are extending deadlines so they can ensure that they get their yield for the 2021-2022 academic year. Colleges are also wait listing many more students this year, for the same reasons. The good old fashioned way.
Many colleges have extended the May 1st deadline to June 1st or 15th. While this may sound altruistic, colleges are extending deadlines so they can ensure that they get their yield for the 2021-2022 academic year. Colleges are also wait listing many more students this year, for the same reasons. The good news is that students may be able to take their time to decide where they plan to go to college this fall.