Waiting for decisions on your applications can be stressful. Many universities now release their decisions electronically, although some may still arrive in the mail.
There are three different types of decision:
1. Offer of admission
This means you have been accepted. The offer will also contain information about any funding the institution will provide, why you should accept and what to do next.
You now need to decide whether to accept, decline or defer the offer.
- Accept: If you are holding more than one offer of admission, you will need to think carefully about which university to accept. The deadline to decide is usually 1 May. However, if you made an early decision application you are obligated to accept this offer. On accepting an offer, you will also pay a deposit.
- Decline: If you decide not to accept, you will need to politely inform the admissions office as soon as possible.
- Defer: If you need to defer your enrolment for any reason, you will need to ask the admissions office for guidance as soon as possible. In some cases, you may need to re-apply for funding in the next admissions cycle if you are allowed to defer your place.
2. Waitlisted
This means that you still have a chance of being accepted if other students who were offered admission decline the place. You will need to respond to the university to confirm whether or not you wish to remain on the wait list.
You will normally be notified after 1 May whether you have been successful in getting a place from the wait list, but in some cases it may be sooner.
3. Not accepted
This unfortunately means that your application was not successful. You should generally respond politely to the admissions office to thank them for reviewing your application. If you believe something may have been missed in your application, you can also take the opportunity ask them about it.
4. Early round
For early decisions and application, you may receive a deferral decision.