3 Ways Your Students can still get into a College that Rejected Them

Money recently reported on 3 ways students can get into a college that rejected them. Many times your students hearts will be set on attending a specific college. Possibly because their best friend is going there, their parent(s) went there or for some other reason. They shouldn’t despair. There are opportunities to attend their college of choice even after they have been rejected.

As Money reports more than half of all colleges offer at least one kind of alternative admissions option for students who don’t quite make the cut for regular fall admissions.

But each of the three main kinds of alternatives has both advantages and drawbacks, such as potentially higher costs. Here are the 3 options they might want to check into:

  1. Conditional Admission:How it works: Students attend special summer or fall classes. If they meet GPA requirements in the prescribed courses, they’re in.

    Best for: Students who show promise but lack some academic or language qualification needed for standard admission.

    Potential downsides: The special courses often cost extra. Plus, you might have to pay for summer housing.

  2. Guaranteed Transfer:How it works: The college promises second- or third-year admission if students perform well at a community college or another school.

    Best for: Students with the discipline to excel at another college and who are willing to move on after one or two years.

    Potential downsides: Starting at a cheaper school saves money, but transferring can be disruptive socially.

  3. Second-Semester Admission: How it works: Freshmen don’t start on campus until the second semester, sometimes after a semester of study abroad.

    Best for: Qualified students whose record isn’t strong enough to make them a shoo-in for regular fall admission.

    Potential downsides: The fall semester-abroad option, if offered, can cost extra