MANAGING COLLEGE PORTALS
College applications journey does not end with the submission of application, and staying up to date with the status of your application is very important. Many students lose opportunities, or even offers of admission, simply by not monitoring their college portals or email regularly. To avoid preventable issues, please follow the guidelines discussed below.
Every college you apply to will create an Applicant Portal for you. This portal is where you will receive admission decisions, see if materials are missing, upload documents, and receive next steps if admitted.
For each college, you must:
Save the portal URL (web address)
Record your username and password
Create a dedicated password for all admissions-related accounts (e.g., a variation of your initials + birthdate that is secure but memorable)
Upload this login information to your Encrypted Keychain tab in CounselMore. This ensures you and I (your counselor) always have access in case something is lost or forgotten
As you enter the final stages of your college application process, staying organized and attentive is absolutely critical.
Monitoring Decisions
MONITORING COLLEGE COMMUNICATION
Once an application is submitted, colleges may require follow on information, and they usually communicate this by updating status on the application portal or sending an email. Hence, staying updated is not optional; it is essential.
Check your emails - DAILY
Check your application portal - AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK
Colleges may use the portal to ask you to:
Submit additional materials (e.g., midyear grades, financial docs, test scores)
Respond to a scholarship or interview invitation
Accept or decline an offer by a strict deadline
Missing these updates can lead to:
The application being marked incomplete
A deferral or even a rejection
An acceptance being rescinded if final materials aren’t submitted on time
WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR?
Some of the critical updates on the portal may include:
Missing documents: Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and financial aid forms.
Midyear grade requests: Especially from more selective colleges.
Scholarship or honors program invitations.
Decisions posted (admit, defer, waitlist, deny).
Next steps after admission: Accepting the offer, submitting deposits, and registering for housing and/or orientation.
Remember that at this stage, colleges expect maturity and follow-through: show them you are ready.
Let’s ensure that no opportunity is missed simply because a notification went unread.
