Getting the acceptance letter: Tips for deciding if a university is right for you
Applying to various universities can be an overwhelming process. Although receiving multiple acceptance letters is exciting, it can be even more overwhelming than the application process.
As you prepare to make your college decision, it’s important to consider the quality of the education you’ll get at each of the universities you were admitted to. What types of opportunities does each school offer and what kind of experience do you want from your college career? Another important point of consideration: the return you will receive on investment each institution provides, in addition to reviewing the upfront cost of attendance and your personal financial situation.
Even though all of these things can be scary and oftentimes confusing, it is highly important to schedule a visit to see the campuses – it’s the best way to determine if a university is really the best fit for you.
When visiting Illinois, simply walking around campus made me fall in love with the atmosphere. I loved being able to say that I was going to attend a big university with endless opportunities for growth, both academically and in leadership. It is important to look for a school that suits all of your needs in those exact ways. Be sure to notice how you feel when walking around or listening to what the guide has to tell you.
I would recommend going on a campus visitthat is scheduled with a guide, as well as scheduling a follow-up on a different day. Walk around by yourself after the tour to get a better feel for the campus. You need to really see if you can picture yourself studying in the library, going to classes, and living on campus.
Illinois was and still is the most perfect place for me. I will admit it wasn’t one of my top choices as a prospective student because I was not sure I would get that acceptance letter. But after visiting campus the first time, I knew that I would do everything in my power to earn a spot in those lecture halls. Choosing Illinois was an easy decision once I did get the acceptance letter because of the great atmosphere and outstanding academic opportunities.
Once I accepted my offer of admission, I referred to the admitted student checklistin myIllini. This had everything on there that I needed to know about enrolling at Illinois. I paid my enrollment fee and immediately began to fill out FASFA to be considered for financial aid (though you should do this before you are accepted to have the earliest consideration for need-based scholarships, grants, and loans).
The next step was to do some research on the types of housing offered to me as a transfer student. I knew I did not want to live in a residence hall so an apartment through the Private Certified Housing option was the right place for me. Getting everything done as soon as possible is a smart move because if you wait, the options you are considering may become unavailable.
Another important aspect of the admitted student checklist is to sign up for a summer registration date. Summer registration is when you go to campus and meet your advisor for the first time to pick out classes for your first semester. (Read more LAS Insider posts about freshman registration and transfer registration.)
During this time, you get lots of advice and can begin to finalize everything for the upcoming semester. Don’t forget to take advantage of the opportunity to become more familiar with the campus and the Champaign-Urbana community. This will only make your move and transition to campus easier in August. I wish you well as you make your college decision and really hope you choose Illinois!
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers more than 70 majors and provides a world-class interdisciplinary education that prepares students for lives of impact. Learn more about LAS.