Getting into college past the deadline
If your child isn't happy with the college that he or she is heading to in the fall, there are many colleges and universities that are still looking for applicants.
You can find a list of 285 public and private institutions that have vacancies by checking out the College Openings Update on the website of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Thirty-eight percent of the schools on the NACAC list, which was released today, are public. Among the state universities still looking for good candidates are the University of Iowa, University of Florida, Arizona State, University of Vermont, Boise State University and Portland State University. The list of state institutions also include some well-regarded public liberal arts colleges including Truman State University (Mo.), New College of Florida, Evergreen State College (Wash.) and St. Mary's College of Maryland.
Private schools that are soliciting applicants include Gonzaga University (Wash.) Marquette University (Wis.), Seton Hall (N.J. ) Baylor University (Texas), Mills College (Calif.), Knox College (Ill.), Lynchburg College (Va.), Linfield College (Ore.), Ohio Wesleyan, Regis University (Colo.) and The New School (N.Y.).
Among the schools seeking applicants, 275 have freshman openings and 280 are seeking transfer students. Nearly all of the institutions (280) still have financial aid available and most (265) still have dormitory space.
The school vacancy list will remain online through June 30 and will be updated until then.
You shouldn't assume that the institutions on this voluntary list are the only ones that still have vacancies. For instance, Allegheny College, a liberal arts school in Ohio, isn't on the NACAC update, but it sent an email this week to consultants and high school counselors noting that the school still has slots available, as well as financial aid.
If your child wants a second chance, contact schools that he or she might be interested in to see if it is still accepting last-minute applications.