Article on GrownandFlown.com by Mary Dell Harrington | November 12, 2025
After students push the “submit” button on their college applications, they may be tempted to shut their laptops and happily move onto other parts of their busy lives. However, as college admissions expert Stephanie Meade warns, there are still many things students need to do to make sure they do not miss critical communications, including messages around scholarship opportunities, from the colleges they have applied to.
Submitting your college application is NOT the finish line — it’s just the beginning
Too many students hit “submit” and think their work is done. The truth is, there are critical next steps that can make or break admission. From setting up an application portal to demonstrating interest, completing interviews, and uploading additional information, what students do after they apply is just as important as the application itself.
Your post-submission checklist:
- Set up every college applicant portal.
- Check email and portals regularly.
- Confirm required materials have been received.
- Respond promptly to requests from colleges.
- Track interview invitations, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines.
- Research each school's demonstrated-interest policy.
- Keep your grades up and finish senior year strong.
- Ask Post Grad for help if you aren't sure what to do next!
Your job isn't over when you hit submit! Stay organized, stay engaged, and take ownership of the next steps. Post Grad is here to help you navigate the process!
1. Why an application portal is a student’s lifeline (and how to set it up right away)
After you submit your application, most colleges will send you an email with instructions to create or access your applicant portal. This portal is your main source of information about your application status.
- Set it up immediately. Watch your email, including your spam and junk folders, for login instructions.
- Save your login information somewhere secure and easy to access.
- Check your portal regularly for application updates, missing materials, scholarship opportunities, interview invitations, and admission decisions.
- Verify that everything has been received. Submitting your application does not automatically mean the college has received your transcript, test scores, letters of recommendation, or other required documents.
Your portal is where you can catch a problem early instead of discovering it after a deadline has passed!
2. What to do if colleges request missing or additional information: Don't panic if a college lists missing materials or requests additional information. Take action promptly!
- Read the request carefully to understand exactly what is needed.
- Check whether the college has received the materials you already submitted. Processing times can vary.
- Contact your school counselor or Post Grad if you need help with transcripts, school forms, or other school-submitted materials.
- If test scores, financial information, or other documents are required, follow the college's instructions for submitting them.
- Pay attention to deadlines and confirm that the requested information has been received.
Important: A missing item doesn't always mean you did something wrong. Sometimes documents take time to process. However, it is your responsibility to monitor your application and follow up when necessary.
3. How demonstrated interest (emails, visits, webinars) impacts admission decisions
Demonstrated interest means showing a college that you are genuinely interested in attending. Some colleges track this when making admission decisions, while others do not. It is important to know each college's policy.
Ways to demonstrate interest include:
- Attending college representative visits at HRHS or local college fairs.
- Participating in virtual information sessions and webinars.
- Visiting campus, either in person or virtually.
- Opening and engaging with college communications and following the instructions provided.
- Sending thoughtful emails to admissions representatives when you have specific questions.
Quality matters more than quantity. Don't email an admissions representative just to check a box. Ask meaningful questions, learn about the school, and determine whether it is a good fit for you. Most importantly, check whether each college considers demonstrated interest before investing extra time in these activities.
4. Tips for college interviews and how they factor into an application
Not every college requires or offers interviews, and the role of an interview varies by institution. Some interviews are evaluative, while others are primarily informational. When interviews are offered, they can be an opportunity to share more about yourself beyond your written application.
How to prepare:
- Research the college and understand why you are interested in attending.
- Practice answering common questions, such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why this college?” and “What do you hope to contribute to our campus?”
- Prepare two or three thoughtful questions for your interviewer.
- Be ready to discuss your interests, extracurricular activities, accomplishments, challenges, and goals.
- Dress appropriately, arrive on time, and test your technology if the interview is virtual.
- Send a brief thank-you email afterward.
You don't need to memorize perfect answers. Be authentic, conversational, and prepared to explain what makes you you. Remember: An interview is not always available to every applicant, and not receiving an invitation does not necessarily hurt your chances. Follow the college's specific interview policy and instructions.
5. Why even Early Decision applicants have more work to do after hitting submit
Applying Early Decision does not mean your college application responsibilities are over. Even if you have applied to your first-choice school, there are still important steps to complete while you wait for a decision.
- Monitor your portal. Make sure your application checklist is complete and respond to any requests.
- Maintain your grades. Colleges may review senior-year grades and expect you to continue performing well.
- Complete financial aid requirements. Submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, or other documents required by the college, as applicable.
- Keep track of deadlines. Scholarships, financial aid, housing, and other requirements may have separate deadlines.
- Understand your Early Decision agreement. Early Decision is generally binding if you are admitted, subject to the agreement's terms and applicable exceptions. Make sure you understand the commitment and discuss financial considerations with your family.
- Know what happens next. If you are deferred, denied, or admitted, your next steps will depend on the college's decision and policies.
Early Decision applicants should be especially proactive about financial aid and understanding the commitment before applying. If admitted under a binding Early Decision agreement, you will generally need to withdraw other college applications according to the agreement's requirements.
6. Common mistakes students make after submitting — and how to avoid them
Here are some of the most common post-submission mistakes and how to prevent them.
- Ignoring emails from colleges----Check your inbox and spam folder daily.
- Never setting up the applicant portal----Create your account as soon as the invitation arrives.
- Assuming submitted means complete----Review your checklist and confirm all required materials are received.
- Panicking over a missing document----Allow time for processing, then follow up with the appropriate person if it remains missing.
- Missing financial aid or scholarship deadlines----Keep a separate calendar of all deadlines.
- Assuming every college tracks demonstrated interest----Research each school's admissions policies.
- Sending too many unnecessary emails----Contact admissions with specific, thoughtful questions.
- Forgetting about senior-year grades----Continue attending class, completing assignments, and maintaining your academic performance.
- Assuming an acceptance means everything is finished----Review admission conditions, enrollment deadlines, deposits, housing, and financial aid requirements.
- Letting application stress take over----Make a manageable weekly checklist and focus on what you can control.
Pro tip: Colleges notice who stays engaged. Submitting is step one — but showing interest, following directions, and staying on top of requests shows admissions officers you’re serious.
Whether your student is applying Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision, stays on track, reduces stress, and doesn’t miss a critical step in the admissions process.
