CONGRATULATIONS! Submitting your college applications is a huge milestone. You've undoubtedly put many hours into your applications, essays and testing over the past year, and hitting that "submit" button feels like completing a marathon. 

Now, what do you do while you wait for decisions?

While some of you may have begun receiving acceptances already (WOOT! WOOT!), some of you will be waiting until March or even April for decisions. Either way, here are 5 post-application tips that seniors at all waiting points should consider:

#1: Check Your Email

Raise your hand if you check your email with regularity. Yep, that's what we thought. Well, now's the time to reverse that trend and head to your inbox ASAP. Nearly every college uses email as their primary mode of communication with applicants so it's important that you are paying attention to what's showing up. Even more, many of these emails will include action items or next steps - such as interviews -  that you need to take to complete your application. You will likely receive an email with log-in info for a designated online student portal to confirm receipt of materials. This is also how you will also find out whether or not you've been admitted! If you aren't checking your email at least every other day, there's a good chance you'll miss something. And guess what? Deadlines are deadlines and colleges expect you to be responsible. Also, if you don't see a message because it ends up in your Spam, that's on you. 

# 2: Keep Your Grades Up

Many students are under an incorrect impression that colleges will not take into consideration their senior year grades since they are "in progress." The reality is that EVERY offer of admission is conditional. This means that your application process isn't officially complete until you walk across that stage at commencement and receive your diploma. Colleges and universities admit students with the caveat that you are required to finish your senior year demonstrating the same level of achievement as that which you presented with your application materials. Each year there are students who receive news that, most likely, comes unexpectedly: their offers of admission have been revoked.

A study conducted by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) found that 20% of colleges had revoked an offer of admission with the main reason being poor final grades. As we approach the upcoming holiday season, remember to keep up the good work at school and resist the urge to just ease through your classes.

#3: Work On Scholarship Applications

There will be many outside scholarships that become available between now and the end of your school year. Be sure to stop by your school counseling office to see if there are any local scholarship applications available before you head out for the holiday break. While your main source of scholarship funding will likely be the college you end up attending, outside scholarship dollars can certainly add up! Also, remember all of those supplemental essays you wrote for your college applications? Be sure to re-visit those to see if you can repurpose any for those outside scholarships requiring an essay. 

# 4: Say Thank You!

Remember all of those people who have been writing recommendations for you, sending transcripts, maybe even tutoring you on your ACT and SAT? How about your parents who willingly handed over their credit card for your application fees? Now is your turn to do something for them...and it's pretty simple: say THANK YOU. Gratitude is one of the things that is often forgotten at this stage in the process. So, take a few minutes and write a few thank you notes to those who helped you get to this point (handwritten are even better!). This small gesture is one of the most impactful during this process.

# 5: Review Your Social Channels

We know it's common for students to share everything from pictures of their lunch to their feelings about politics via their social channels. This is definitely okay BUT be sure that what you're sharing publicly won't be viewed as inappropriate by others. Profanities and offensive memes can come back to haunt you. And, while it's true that admission folks aren't spending vast amounts of time Googling every applicant, there is nothing to stop them if they wanted to do this...and many have. A survey report from Kaplan showed that 68% of college admissions officers said social media accounts were "fair game" for consideration in the admission process. Take some time to check out what you have posted online (and don't forget any posts you may have been tagged in by friends!) and, if necessary, do some deleting. The last thing you would want is to be rejected by a school because of a random bout of profanity or inappropriate photo on one of your social media sites.

Bonus Tip: Enjoy Your Senior Year!

That's right. It's important that you are taking this time to enjoy all of the milestones of senior year and spend time with friends and family. The year will come to an end before you know it. Enjoy the journey!