College Decision Day 2024: See Which Colleges Changed their Deadlines
As a high school senior approaching graduation, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where you’ll attend college. That’s why you’ll want to know about and be prepared for the upcoming College Decision Day 2024.
In this article, we’ll explore College Decision Day, including what it means, how you can get ready for it, and what’s next after this momentous occasion. Let's get started.
What is College Decision day?
National College Decision Day, also known as College Signing Day, is the first day of May each year. On this day, high school seniors who applied and were accepted into one or more colleges must confirm their enrollment with the school of their choice. This confirmation is usually attached to an enrollment deposit.
However, it’s important to note that schools set their own decision-day deadlines, so some may have different dates you’ll need to track. One example where you’ll see this is schools with rolling admissions. However, a college or university might set a different enrollment deadline for countless other reasons.
When is College Decision Day 2024?
Many colleges are pushing back their official Decision Day because of this year's FAFSA delay and associated challenges. For those colleges, many have set a May 15th or June 1st deadline. Several colleges have also adjusted their application and financial aid deadlines for students planning to start college in the fall of 2024.
See which colleges changed their decision deadlines:
Thanks to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), you can see a list of colleges that have changed their commitment deadlines. This is the most up-to-date information, and NACAC is updating the list as more colleges decide to push their deadlines back.
Why College Decision Day matters
College Decision Day marks the end of the college application and acceptance process. That’s great news, right? It’s the culmination of your hard work and dedication researching schools, taking entrance exams, touring campuses, writing essays, submitting your applications, and eagerly awaiting acceptances. Once you’ve decided and paid your deposit, you can close this chapter of your life and start the next one.
Preparing for College Decision Day
As College Decision Day nears, you’ll want to evaluate and thoroughly understand your options so you can make the best decision for your needs. Here are some tips to help you stay organized and feel confident in your decision once you make it.
- Track all deadlines. Be familiar with the deadlines for the colleges you’ve been accepted into. While most schools use May 1st as their deadline for deposits, some schools may have different deadlines or deposit due dates.
- Know the cost of attendance - after financial aid- for each school. Review your financial aid offers so you can compare the net price (not sticker price) of each of the schools. Only when you compare the cost after your financial aid package will you truly know which school is more affordable.
- Consider appealing a financial aid award if necessary. Your financial situation might change after you complete your FAFSA, or a school’s aid offer might just come up short. If, for any reason, the aid package you’ve been offered isn’t enough, consider reaching out to appeal the decision.
- Prepare your enrollment deposit and acceptance. Each college or university will have its own procedure for submitting an enrollment deposit and confirming your acceptance. So be sure to review the procedure for the school you’re planning to attend so you’re ready to go on or before the big day.
After College Decision Day
What comes after College Decision Day? You get to look ahead and make plans for your upcoming life as a college student. There’s plenty of time between May and August, but here are a couple of things you’ll want to do next.
- Pick up scholarship money for school. It’s always a good idea to tap into extra funding sources for school so you don’t end up needing to lean on student loans. You can apply for scholarships now and when you’re in college. In fact, it's common for students enrolled in college to look for new scholarship money each semester. So make sure you know the best places to find this free money for school.
- Focus on your interests during the summer. The summer between high school and college is the perfect time for you to shift from focusing on college applications to thinking about gaining experience by working, job shadowing, and exploring new and fun hobbies. This simple exploration is also a great way to build your resume.
- Spend time with friends and family. Before heading off to college, be sure to spend time with the people you care about. Going away to college is a big shift, so take the time you need to reinforce those essential bonds.
- Prepare for life on campus. You can start thinking through the big decisions now. Like will you live in the dorms, with roommates, or at home? Are you going to pledge to a fraternity or sorority, or will you invest your free time in a collegiate sport? There are so many options, and you have time to work through these decisions. But that’s what’s so great about College Decision Day- it frees you to look toward the future. And it’s going to be so bright!
- Watch out for your school’s Registration Day. This important event normally happens in the summertime, so ask about it and be sure to attend. Registration Day is when you’ll likely get your student ID, meet with other incoming students, and even choose your first semester classes or meet your professors in your programs. It’s a great way to get comfortable on campus as you prepare for your first day.
And above all else, celebrate! It’s an exciting time, and you deserve to enjoy it. Take in your accomplishments, and be in the moment.
College Decision Day FAQs
Q: Do I have to wait for College Decision Day to make my decision?
A: Not at all. You can decide and submit your deposit at any time after receiving your acceptance notification.
Q: What happens if you miss College Decision Day?
A: If you miss College Decision Day, you may lose your spot at the college or university you were considering. However, some colleges may offer extensions for extenuating circumstances. It’s best to contact the admissions office when you know you’ve missed the deadline and ask if you can still confirm your spot.
Q: Can I change my mind after College Decision Day?
A: It is possible to change your mind after College Decision Day, but it can be more challenging to do so. You may have to forfeit any deposits or fees you have already paid to the college you initially chose.
Q: Is College Decision Day the same for all colleges?
A: College Decision Day is typically on or around May 1st of each year, but some colleges may have different deadlines.
Final thoughts on College Decision Day
College Decision Day is an important deadline marking the end of the college application process and the beginning of your next chapter. From here, it’s time to start your scholarship search on Appily by creating a free account.
With Appily, you’ll have access to the most up-to-date scholarship database that you can use to sort scholarships by interest and eligibility criteria easily. Just click the button below to get started. It’s quick, free, and easy.
