DECISIONS, DEFERRALS, DORM DECOR, EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN - VOL. 37
VOL. 37
YOUR TRUSTED GUIDE TO EVERYTHING COLLEGE
EDITOR’S NOTE:
College admissions never seems to slow down — and this season is no exception. Application volume continues to rise, Alabama has announced the return of standardized testing for the upcoming admissions cycle, and many families are finding themselves in the emotional gray area of deferrals.
In this edition, we break it all down: what a deferral really means, why acceptance “season” now stretches closer to six months instead of the eight weeks many of us remember, and a few thoughtful acceptance-gift ideas to celebrate the wins along the way. As the year winds down, we’re sending warm holiday wishes to you and your family — and before you know it, you’ll be planning dorm rooms, move-in days, and everything that comes next.
Make sure to follow us on IG for more tips, tricks & trends!
https://www.instagram.com/thecollegeanddormcorner
Happy Holidays and see you in 2026!
COLLEGE APPLICATION VOLUME SURGES 9%
First-year college applications jumped 9% through the first major deadline of the 2025-26 admissions cycle, driven by growing participation from low-income and first-generation students even as international application volume declined sharply.
READ MORE HERE → https://www.theeduledger.com
UNIV. OF ALABAMA TO REINSTATE REQUIRED TESTING
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees voted Thursday to reinstate standardized testing requirements for undergraduate admissions, ending a test-optional pilot program that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ MORE HERE → https://www.rocketcitynow.com
FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT STILL REQUIRE TESTING, WHAT IS A GOOD SAT SCORE?
Test scores, when considered, are just a piece of the college admissions process. Schools also review other factors, such as students’ GPAs, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essays and letters of recommendation.
READ MORE HERE → https://www.usnews.com
Deferrals are everywhere this year — and if your student applied Early Decision, they’re not alone. With schools like Michigan offering ED for the first time, many strong applicants are finding themselves deferred instead of denied. A deferral isn’t the end of the road — click HERE → https://nypost.com for smart next steps that can help strengthen an application. And check out our recent post HERE → https://www.instagram.com about the differences between being deferred and waitlisted.
CORNER SHOPS
’Tis the season for acceptances so chec
k out our amazing Corner Shops for the best gifts.
CORNER SHOPS → https://www.thecollegecorner.com
And visit our AMAZON STOREFRONT for all of your bed party essentials!
AMAZON STOREFRONT → https://www.amazon.com
WE LOVE OPRAH
Sharing some of our college favorites from her 2025 list!
PIC OF THE DAY — HATS OFF TO A SUCCESSFUL 2026!
HANDY ACCESS
STORE FRONT
We’ve done the work for you! All the college & celebration must-haves in 1 place → https://www.thecollegecorner.com
TRAVEL CORNER
Submit travel recommendations for your school town. → https://www.thecollegecorner.com
STYLE CORNER
Submit a look styled by you. Include a title and links to each item in your look. → https://www.thecollegecorner.com
CURATORS
Direct access to curated finds for your college acceptance celebration! → https://www.thecollegecorner.com
TELL US MORE ABOUT YOU
We would love to know more about YOU and what we can do to help your college journey! Please fill out this short questionnaire HERE → https://mailchi.mp/thecollegecorner/decisions-deferrals-dorm-decor-everything-in-between
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