What should I do after submitting my Common App?

So I hit the submit button on the Common App (woohoo!), but now I’m googling frantically—what are my next steps? Should I be reaching out to my schools or just wait for an email confirmation of some sort? Any advice would be super appreciated!

Congratulations on submitting your Common App – that's a huge milestone! After clicking submit, the most immediate thing to do is to keep an eye on your email and the application portals of each college, as that's how you'll receive confirmations and any further instructions. Each college is different but typically, they'll send a confirmation email within a few days along with information on how to access their portal. Make sure to check your spam or junk mail in case any communications get filtered there.

It's also important to double-check that your letters of recommendation have been sent and any standardized test scores are reported if required by the institution. You should also ensure your FAFSA and any other required financial aid forms are submitted before their deadlines. This is a time for you to stay organized and on top of any additional requests or deadlines from the schools you applied to.

On another note, take a moment to relax and give yourself a pat on the back. The hard part is over, and while you're waiting, engage in your current school work, activities, and enjoy your senior year. If you do need reassurance or have specific questions about the status of your application, it's perfectly fine to politely reach out to the admissions offices. But give it some time - they're processing a lot of applications!

Lastly, don't hesitate to plan out some visits to colleges you're particularly interested in if you haven't already done so and it's possible for you. Sitting in on a class or meeting current students might give you a better feel for the school. Best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions during this waiting period!