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I've applied to college... What's next?

You've applied to the colleges/universities in which you were interested, and you're starting to hear back from them.  There are a lot of things to consider before you make your final decision. We hope the info below will help you with the next steps.

How to Make Your Final Decision

You Got Accepted - Now What?
"Don’t worry about choosing that one perfect college — there’s no such thing. The bottom line is that college is what you make of it: What you do while you’re there matters more than the college name on your diploma. Here’s how to make your decision." (CollegeBoard)

Top 15 Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing a College
"Afraid of choosing the wrong college? Avoid these 15 common blunders students most often make." (fastweb - April 13, 2026)

Paying for College

A Guide to Understanding Financial Aid for College
"Many families are shocked by a college's sticker price. While the price of tuition can be overwhelming, college financial aid can make higher education affordable." (U.S.News & World Report - Sept. 24, 2025)

How to Evaluate Your Financial Aid Offers (studentaid.gov)

Next Steps in Managing Applications

Next Steps in Managing Applications
Notes from Xavier counselors on other things to consider.

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