After You Submit Your College Application: What Comes Next

After You Apply (Week 1) 

Receive Application Confirmations and Set up Your Portal.

After applying, colleges usually send a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application. This email often includes instructions for creating your applicant portal account.

Your applicant portal is where colleges communicate directly with you about

• Whether your application is complete;
• Any missing documents or required updates; and/or
• When admission decisions are released.

At institutions like St. John's University, the applicant portal becomes the primary place to track next steps. If you don’t receive a confirmation email within a few days, check your spam folder or reach out to the admission office for support.

Double-Check for Required and Missing Materials.

It is common for applications to show as incomplete at first. This does not mean something went wrong. Often, it means additional materials are still being processed.

These materials may include transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, or program-specific requirements. Colleges typically begin reviewing applications only once all required items are received, so addressing missing pieces early can help keep your application on track.

Be sure to check your application portal regularly to see if any additional materials are needed. You can also call or email your admission counselor directly to keep them updated on your progress in submitting required documents.

The Waiting Period (Weeks Two Through Eight) 

Once all materials are confirmed and received by the admission office, expect a waiting period of approximately four to eight weeks. This timeline can vary depending on how you applied, such as Early Decision, Early Action, Priority, or Rolling Admission.

In the meantime, here are several action items to focus on while waiting for a decision.

Check Your Email Regularly.

This may seem self-explanatory, but checking your email one to two times per week can help you stay on top of time-sensitive updates.

Even after your application is complete, admission counselors may reach out with interview invitations, requests for clarification, or additional materials.

Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships.

If you have not yet completed your financial aid applications and seek federal grants, work-study, or loans, now is the time to take action. Many colleges cannot finalize financial aid offers until they receive this information, which means delays can impact the aid you are eligible to receive.

Beyond federal aid, this stage is especially important for scholarships. Many students assume scholarships are only awarded at the time of admission, but that is not always the case. In reality, there are multiple layers of scholarship consideration that happen after you apply, and in some cases, even after you are admitted.

Important next steps include

• Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) as soon as possible;
• Reviewing state aid options, if applicable; and
• Researching scholarships that are still accepting applications.

Even if you believe you may not qualify for need-based aid, completing the FAFSA® is still essential. Colleges and universities use FAFSA® information not only to assess financial need, but also to determine eligibility for merit-based, academic, and institutional scholarships.

Explore Campus Life and Academic Programs.

If you have not already done so, this is a great time to explore what life could look like at each college to which you applied.

Consider learning more about

• Academic programs and majors;
• Student organizations and clubs;
• Residence life and campus housing; and
• Internship opportunities and career outcomes.

Many universities offer virtual tours and in-person visits that help you picture yourself on campus and understand what makes each school unique. You can also follow colleges on social media or connect with current students to learn more about their experiences.

Keep up with Your Academics. 

You may be close to the finish line, but you are not there yet. Senior year still matters, and colleges may request final transcripts. Academic performance during this time can impact admission decisions, so it is important to stay focused and finish strong.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What should I do if my application status says “incomplete”?

This usually means a document is still being processed or hasn’t arrived yet. Check which item is missing (such as transcripts or recommendations) and follow up with your high school counselor or testing agency if needed.

Can I apply for scholarships after submitting my college application?

Absolutely. Many scholarships have deadlines that fall after college application deadlines. Applying for additional scholarships can help reduce out-of-pocket costs, even if you’ve already received financial aid.

Is it normal to feel anxious while waiting for college decisions?

Completely normal. Waiting can be stressful, but remember that you’ve already taken a major step forward. Staying organized, focusing on school, and giving yourself breaks from checking updates can help manage the stress.