b'57Becoming a College StudentIn this section: Make Your Choice, p. 57On-Campus Support, p. 58Freshman Orientation, p. 59Purchase Your Textbooks, p. 59Manage Your Money, p. 60 Swarthmore CollegeBecoming a College StudentCongratulations! You have made it through the college admissions process, and you are about to become a college student. Choosing your college and transitioning to college life represent a new level of independence and responsibility that can be both exciting and anxiety producing. This section will guide you through your final choice, your summer tasks, and freshman year experiences.Make the Right Fit Decision Make Your ChoiceUnderstand Your Letters of Acceptance To make the most informed decision when choosing the college you will attend, you need to truly Share your letters of acceptance with your collegeunderstand your academic, social, and financial fit.prep team, and note the following details of your acceptance: Revisit your responses to Your Fit Profile activity on p. 20 and the College Fit Form on pp. 24-25. Were you extended an offer of acceptance orWhich of the schools that has admitted you is your were you accepted conditionally? If you were closest fit?accepted conditionally, you will need to meetspecific criteria to be fully accepted, such as Financial fit must be a key factor. Can you affordsuccessfully completing summer coursework to attend the college based on the financial aidcalled a bridge programprior to your package offered? Use the College Cost Calculator freshman year. on p. 48 to compare the financial aid packagesoffered by the schools that accepted you. If youWere you waitlisted? If you were waitlisted, you may cannot afford to attend a school, then it is notnot receive a final decision until late spring or just the right fit.before the fall semester begins. If you were waitlistedat your first-choice school, contact the admissionsTime Your Decision Carefullyoffice and send new information that will support your application, such as final grades or news aboutYou have until May 1 to decide where to enroll;an honor you received. Talk to the admissions officedo not feel pressured to make an immediate decision. about your chances of acceptance. Waitlists are However, it is wise to be aware of any housingunpredictable, so send a deposit to your next-choiceoptions or other programs that may have deadlines college to ensure you have a spot in the fall.before May 1.'