Excerpts from Peter Van Buskirk’s blog regarding the May 1st Deadline

• “Wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission or financial aid.”

In order to make good decisions, you need good information and, quite often, a reasonable amount of time in which to consider your options. Toward that end, NACAC further stipulates that:

• “Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you the extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid.”
• “Candidates admitted under early decision programs are a recognized exception to the May 1 deadline.”

With the new HOPE Scholarship regulations in place, we encourage all high school students to meet with their high school counselors to understand the effects of the changes on them personally.  The new GPA, SAT / ACT and curriculum requirements will determine whether a student receives 100% or 90% of tuition payment.  The addition of curriculum rigor as a component of the HOPE Scholarship criteria will have an impact on current Freshmen and future high school students.

It is important to visit the colleges you are accepted to before you make your final decision May 1st.  Even better, spend a night in the dorm and go to a class!   Many colleges actually have an accepted students weekend which has it all scheduled for you.