Yes, it’s true that revoking college admission is possible after a student is accepted.
Most high school seniors are relieved when they receive that coveted acceptance letter. So much so that they fall victim to “senioritis” and start slacking off.
Universities certainly don’t like rescinding any admission offers, but it can happen in certain circumstances. According to a survey by the NACAC, 21 percent of colleges had revoked an admission offer in 2008.
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It’s important to remember that getting an acceptance letter isn’t the end of the grueling application process. Most colleges state that admission is contingent on continuing personal and academic success through the senior year. College admissions staff will basically keep an eye on you until your first freshman class.
Reasons for Revoking College Admission
The most common cause of a rescinded admission offer is poor academic performance. Having any Ds or Fs during your senior year can raise red flags for colleges. Admissions committees want to see you maintaining the stellar GPA that got you accepted. Seniors who drop AP courses for cushy electives to easily slide through the second semester could be in trouble. Disciplinary issues are another big reason why college admissions could be revoked. School problems like suspension and plagiarism will likely be penalized. Breaking any laws, such as underage drinking, theft, or drug possession, could place your admissions in jeopardy. It’s also possible for acceptance to be revoked if application information was falsified.
What Happens When Admission is Revoked
If a university is considering revoking admission, you’ll generally be notified by mail from the dean. Letters will specifically explain the concerns of the admission committee and give you the opportunity to explain the situation. Most colleges will set a deadline for you to address the problem before revoking the admission offer. It’s essential that you immediately call the admissions officer, schedule a face-to-face meeting, and explain the circumstances with remorse. The committee will work with you to establish a plan for correcting the problem and handling things better in the future. In cases where students committed a crime, college admission may be revoked immediately.
Ways to Cope with Revoked Admission
Having an admission offer annulled can be traumatic, but it’s not the end of the world. The revoked college admission won’t be made public, which means other universities you’ve been accepted to won’t find out. Attending a school that’s your second or third pick may be necessary. After a year, you could potentially re-apply to the university for transfer. Earning your general education courses at a community college may be smart. Taking a gap year to travel abroad and gain worldly experience could be beneficial too. College admission committees often view gap year students as more mature than their peers. Stay positive and remember that everyone makes mistakes.
High school seniors with an acceptance letter in hand shouldn’t consider their collegiate future totally set in stone yet. Universities can still revoke your acceptance if you begin slacking. Staying focused through the last semester of high school is critical. Some tips for avoiding “senioritis” include mapping out deadlines, choosing interesting classes, getting organized, finding fun extra-curricular activities, and keeping your eyes on the prize. Doing so will help you avoid the threat of colleges revoking college admission after acceptance.
