In the realm of college admissions, May 1st is affectionately known as Decision Day. It’s the day when many colleges require students to accept or decline their offer of admission. An exciting date, to be sure. Even if students make their decisions earlier, there is a sense of finality to them when they reach May 1st.
On one hand, this milestone marks an end: an end to the college admissions process — all the application busywork, testing, research, essay writing, waiting on college decisions, and deliberating about which to accept. But it’s also a beginning: the beginning of the college experience — all the learning, transitioning, studying, working, career preparation, involvement, relationships, and fun.
It’s important to think of getting into college as the beginning, whether you are a college-bound senior or a high school-bound eighth grader. Success in college and beyond has more to do with the four years you spend in college than it does with the four-plus years you prepared for it.
If you’re a senior, that means you’ll want to start off those four years on the right foot — go to freshman orientation and do all the things they tell you to do; choose your classes wisely (pro tip: consult “rate my professor” like it’s your best friend); research college organizations and begin planning where you will get involved; talk to your parents about your budget; familiarize yourself with campus resources like your residence hall RA, your academic advisor, campus tutoring services, the writing center, the health center, the mental health center, and the career center. Talk to your professors or get help from a tutor or a counselor when you feel lost, and reach out to your hallmates and classmates to begin building friendships.
If you’re still in high school, it means you’ll want to spend some time in self-reflection, as you ponder what you really enjoy doing and then research what kinds of jobs you can do with your skills and interests. As you choose your high school classes, you’ll want to think about which ones will benefit you in college, depending on what you plan to study. As you begin researching colleges, you’ll want think about where you can study — and excel in — the subjects that interest you and where you feel like you will thrive, rather than how cool the name of the college will sound to your peers.
Admission to college is just the beginning — and a very exciting one, at that. Congratulations to my Class of 2023 as they begin at the following colleges!
Abilene Christian * Arizona State * Austin College * Baylor * Blinn * Colorado State * Texas A&M * Texas Tech * University of Alabama * University of Arkansas * University of Colorado * University of Georgia * University of Kansas * University of North Texas * UT Austin
