<p>I know I have to get back to most colleges by May 1st and fill out a bunch of paperwork specific to the school I will be attending, but how will we be notifying the colleges that we won't be attending? Ex. would a concise paragraph be sufficient? We are required to notify the colleges right? </p>
<p>Also if we will remain on the waitlist do we need to submit any extra materials? And if we get in off a waitlist and decide not to go, would we write to them the same way as any other college?</p>
<p>I focused so much on applications and scholarships that I forgot about the post-admissions process... lol.</p>
<p>You aren’t required to notify colleges if you are not going to attend; if they don’t receive your deposit they’ll figure out you’re not coming. But it is polite to send a brief letter thanking them for the acceptance and expressing regret you will not be attending.</p>
<p>As for waitlists, you don’t need to send in extra materials but some people do so as a matter of gaining tactical advantage. It shows continued interest, and you never know if an update about new honors & awards will make you a more attractive candidate.</p>
<p>While you’re not required to let colleges know you’re not coming, it is courteous to return the reply card that most colleges include with their acceptance package. That also will let colleges know whether to turn to the waitlist. Remember, the colleges that you turn down are dream schools for some students on the waitlist.</p>
<p>With waitlists, it can help to send an update about any major accomplishments since applying. For colleges that care about demonstrated interest, it also is a good idea to send a letter emphasizing your interest in attending. Places like Ivies don’t tend to factor demonstrated interest, but most other schools do.</p>
<p>Ok thank you mikemac and northstarmom for simplifying it for me. I was under the impression it would be a lot more work.</p>