What do I do if I'm still waiting to hear back from my first choice school by May 1st?

Applying to College
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Hello,
I am curious as to what i should do if I’m still waiting for a decision from my first choice school by May 1st. I was accepted to my second choice school, which has a deadline to respond by May 1st. My first choice says it will take them from 4-8 weeks to make a decision after receiving the midyear grades. They received them this week. I just don’t want to be forced into making the decision of wether to risk it, or to accept my second school and then getting accepted to my first school and being stuck attending my second choice school. Does anyone know what I would do if this situation were to occur?

Thank you,

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong section.

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Is this for undergrad or grad school?

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@green678 Undergrad

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Unless you are waitlisted at first choice school, you will hear by the beginning of April, giving you time to make a decision before the May 1 common response date. Is it a rolling admissions school? If so, perhaps that 8 week time frame refers to 8 weeks after receiving grades from high schools that submit them in January. I’ve never heard of a school notifying beyond the first week in April.

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And if you are waitlisted, then you can deposit at second choice and then wait to see if first choice comes through later.

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@green678, I believe it is rolling admissions. I called them and they said that the latest I will receive a decision is early may, however I am more likely to receive a decision before that. I am not really worried, I just want to know what to do, incase this happens.

Thank you for your help! :smile:

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Good luck. I hope you get in (and sooner rather than later).

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  1. Accept the offer from second choice college
  2. Pay the deposit for housing/orientation or whatever they require
  3. If admitted to the first choice college, then change (cancel) intent to enroll at second choice college

In this case, you will definitely lose your deposit from your second choice college.

I would definitely contact the Admissions (second choice college) to see if it is possible to change your intent to enroll after accepting the offer and if there is a deadline for that. This information may be available on the Admissions FAQ page.

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@husky1212
Thank you for the response! I will call them up and check on that if I haven’t heard from my second school by mid April.